Formative Evaluation of a Home-Delivered Meal Program to Enhance Social Connection Among Homebound Older Veterans

Top Things to Know

This study suggests that home-delivered meal programs can reduce loneliness among homebound older adults.

Regular check-ins and brief interactions during meal delivery can provide meaningful social support alongside nutrition services.

High participant retention, adherence, and satisfaction suggest that meal delivery programs could serve as an effective entry point for broader Food Is Medicine strategies, particularly for older adults with mobility limitations, chronic conditions, or limited access to healthcare and community resources.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

This formative evaluation examined a veteran-adapted Meals on Wheels program among 23 homebound older veterans and assessed its effects on loneliness, social isolation, wellbeing, and health over an 8-week period using the RE-AIM implementation framework. Participants entered the program with high levels of loneliness and social isolation, reflecting substantial social vulnerability. The most notable finding was a significant reduction in loneliness, with improvements observed at both 4 and 8 weeks, suggesting that regular meal delivery combined with routine interpersonal contact may enhance perceived social connection. However, the program did not produce significant changes in objective social isolation, overall wellbeing, or sustained improvements in physical and mental health outcomes. The program demonstrated strong feasibility, with high retention (92%), adherence (74%), and acceptability (96%), indicating that home-delivered meal services can be successfully implemented and well received among older veterans. Overall, the findings suggest that home-delivered meal programs may provide benefits that extend beyond nutrition by helping reduce loneliness and offering a scalable approach to addressing social determinants of health in homebound populations.