7QUESTIONS+PLUS

Lauren Zielsdorf, Director the Meals on Wheels program for Kenosha County. Zielsdorf has been working for Kenosha’s aging population for seven years, but admits she never expected to be in that role during her college years. This week she offers insight about the Meals on Wheels program and breaks down some of the misconceptions.

Lauren Zielsdorf will now take your questions ...

How did you get involved with Meals on Wheels? What is your role as Director? I have been working with the aging population since 2000. First, as the county Meals on Wheels coordinator for Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services (KAFASI), then with the Aging & Disability Resource Center doing outreach. In March of this year, I returned to KAFASI in the role of Director of Meals on Wheels and More. As the Director, I have seven programs that I supervise — Meals on Wheels being one of them. While attending Purdue University, I never anticipated that I would dedicate my working life to older adults, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Who is eligible to receive meal services? Can anyone get on your list? Anyone that is homebound and/or unable to cook for themselves can be eligible for our services. We do not base eligibility on income. There is a fee for the meals and anyone who can afford the fee and is found eligible can start receiving meals. We do have some funding for those that are 60 and over, if the fee is too much. Currently we don't have anyone waiting for services.

How much do the meals cost? Our hot meals, delivered five days a week during the noon hour, cost $4.50 per day. We also have a cold supper for an additional $3.25. These are delivered at the same time as the hot. Additionally we have frozen meals to accommodate those that might need help on the weekends. Those are also $4.50 and are delivered once a month.

How many deliveries do you make per week? Per month? We deliver to 250 people a day throughout Kenosha County. We have 30 routes that cover these deliveries. Each month, we serve approximately 5200 hot meals.

Who prepares the meals? Are nutritional factors considered? We have five different food providers that prepare food for us on a daily basis. Kenosha Achievement Center, Hospitality Manor, Meadowmere, Kenosha Hospital and Henrici Management. Each of our meals, regardless of where they are prepared, meet the 1/3 recommended daily allowance. All meals are low sodium, low fat and low cholesterol. We do have the ability to meet many special diet needs, including diabetic, low residue and renal.

What types of food do you deliver? Each meal typically consists of a meat entrée, a starch (potatoes or pasta) a vegetable, bread and butter, beverage and dessert or fruit. We strive to provide good tasting food while offering a large variety to our menu.

Are there other services Meals on Wheels provides besides food? In addition to providing a nutritious meal, another component of the program is doing safety checks five days a week. If a client is not home the volunteers will contact the office and we follow up to make sure that individual is safe. Also, the Meals on Wheels and More program offers transportation services to those that need assistance, visits and telephone reassurance to homebound older adults, respite for persons caring for someone with Alzheimer's and six congregate meal sites throughout the county.

Are volunteers hard to come by these days? Why or why not? Our programs at KAFASI are always seeking volunteers. The more volunteers we have, the more people in the community we can serve. The volunteers that we currently have will go above and beyond to make sure that meals are served. Some volunteers do as many as four or five routes a week.

What is one of the most common misconceptions about Meals on Wheels? People often think that the Meals on Wheels program is only for people with low incomes. Since our eligibility does not factor that in, we can serve anyone that is otherwise found eligible. Also, people think that we won't be able to meet their special diet needs. We make every effort to accommodate all special diets.

Where do you see the greatest need? The greatest need in Kenosha County is with older adults. Our program allows individuals to remain independent in their homes for a longer period of time. This is invaluable to most of our clients because people do want to stay in their homes as long as possible.