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Governor Rendell proclaims Older Pennsylvanians' Nutrition Awareness Week

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today proclaimed March 10-14 as Older Pennsylvanians' Nutrition Awareness Week and encouraged people of all ages to consider how simple dietary changes can help to improve their health and enjoyment of life.

"Eating properly is a major factor in staying healthy, and that's especially true for older adults," Governor Rendell said.

"Pennsylvania is third in the nation for the percentage of seniors and their care and health are very important to me, which is why I encourage them to learn about and practice good nutrition."

March is also National Nutrition Month.

The Department of Aging and the state's 52 Area Agencies on Aging offer information and programs on proper nutrition for older citizens. Volunteer and community-based programs also support the nutritional needs of older Pennsylvanians.

"The Department of Aging invests more than $64 million each year to provide meals for more than 168,000 older Pennsylvanians," said agency Secretary Nora Dowd Eisenhower. "It provides 10 million nutritious meals annually. Proper nutrition is the first step toward having a healthy and productive life."

The department is now canvassing seniors about their needs and concerns through town meetings that are being held across the state.

Their input will be used in creating the new State Plan on Aging, which will guide the direction of services to older adults from 2008 through 2012.

Information about the State Plan and services for seniors as well as a daily food guide are available at www.aging.state.pa.us.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

The text of Governor Rendell's proclamation follows:

OLDER PENNSYLVANIANS' NUTRITION AWARENESS WEEK

  March 10-14, 2008

WHEREAS, March is National Nutrition Month; and

WHEREAS, Area Agencies on Aging and Senior Community Centers will be celebrating this year's theme "Nutrition: It's a Matter of Fact" for National Nutrition Month and "Eat Well, Stay Active, Live Longer" for Older Pennsylvanians Nutrition Awareness Week; and

WHEREAS, food is the substance by which life is sustained; and

WHEREAS, the type, quality and amount of food that older individuals consume each day plays a vital role in their overall health and functionality; and

WHEREAS, more than $64 million is spent annually by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging on nutrition services programs in Pennsylvania such as home delivered meals, congregate meals at senior centers, nutrition education and nutrition screening; and

WHEREAS, approximately 10 million meals are served to more than 168,000 seniors in Pennsylvania annually; and

WHEREAS, home-delivered and congregate meals provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Aging contain one-third of the recommended nutritional needs of older persons; and

WHEREAS, home-delivered and congregate meals are provided at least once a day, five days a week; and

WHEREAS, community based, volunteer programs are also providing nutritious home-delivered meals across the commonwealth;

THEREFORE, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim March 10-14, 2008, as OLDER PENNSYLVANIANS' NUTRITION AWARENESS WEEK. I encourage all citizens to celebrate the significant contributions to all older Pennsylvanians and to help older adults to lead healthier and more active lives to contribute to overall nutritional health.

GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this twentieth day of February in the year of our Lord two thousand and eight, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and thirty-second.