Modernizing Home Delivered Meals
As the City's elderly population grows and as an increasing number of older New Yorkers choose to “age in place,” the Department is preparing for the anticipated growth in demand for home delivered meals. A streamlined home delivered meals system will allow the Department to increase capacity, while offering seniors greater flexibility and meal choice.
What Will the Redsigned System Do For Seniors?
- Enhanced choice and flexibility: Seniors can choose between a hot meal and frozen meal depending on lifestyle and need.
- The option to switch from frozen to hot meals, or hot to frozen meals, depending on a senior's changing needs.
- Connection to a case manager who can assess each client's needs, linking them to an array of supports and services, such as home care, shopping and chore services, counseling and legal services.
With the redesigned system, HDML providers are required to provide kosher and non-kosher meals to clients, depending upon each client's preference. In addition, HDML providers are encouraged to provide foods that appeal to the ethnic groups within their service areas, if those ethnic groups form a significantly large proportion of clients. Providers may continue to hone their dietary and cultural offerings over time.
In January, 2009 the transition period for new Home Delivered Meal providers will begin. During that time DFTA will be in constant communication with outgoing and incoming providers, including numerous individualized meetings to assist with the process. If you are a new or existing home delivered meals client and have any questions regarding the home delivered meals transition, call 311 to be connected to your local case management agency or a DFTA representative.
DFTA realizes that this process may incur further questions of an individual nature. We would like to reiterate that all providers (both outgoing and new) should feel free to contact the agency for any support they need. If you have any questions, please call your Program Officer or Maeve Rullo, Director of Bureau of Senior Centers, at 212-442-1257. The agency will also reach out to providers individually throughout the transition.
Home Delivered Meals Awardees and Transition
In January, 2009 the transition period for new Home Delivered Meal providers will begin. During that time DFTA will be in constant communication with outgoing and incoming providers, including numerous individualized meetings to assist with the process. If you are an existing Home Delivered Meal client with questions, call 311, your current meal provider, or your local case management agency.
DFTA Staff Directories
