Program Basics

These essential resources are focused on the intent of the Older Americans Act: nutrition, socialization, and health and well-being. 

New to the network? Review our list of Abbreviations & Acronyms.

Older Americans Act

• The Older Americans Act

Nutrition

Briefs & Guidelines

• 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines Consumer Resources (DGA)
• Food Basics for Non-Food Service Mangers and Staff (NRCNA)
  •  One-Page Summary
  • Extended Brief
• Identifying the Total Cost of A Meal (NRCNA) 
  • One-Page Summary
  • Extended Brief
• Nutrition Requirements of the OAA (NRCNA)
• Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) of the OAA and States (NRCNA)

Food Safety

• Food Safety for Older Adults (FDA)
• Food Safety on the Go (University of Maryland)
  • FAQs
  • Food Safety Risks for Older Adults (slides only)
  • JNEB Publication

Food Security, Hunger, & Malnutrition

• How to Communicate with Older Adults about Food Insecurity and Hunger (Baylor University)
• Identifying Malnutrition and Abuse (NRCNA)
• Nutrition Security Webinar Series (NIFA)
• Sustainable Healthy Diets Guiding Principles (United Nations, WHO)
• Understanding and Addressing Inequalities in the Food System (University of Missouri)

Menus & Recipes

• Basic Menu Planning (PennState)
• Chef Inspired Suggestions for Nutrient Dense Dining (NRCNA)
• Cooking with Plant-Based Protein (NRCNA)
• Delicious Heart Healthy Recipes (NHLBI)
• Guide for Menu Planning (Iowa Department on Aging)
• Healthy Dinners Inspired by Asian, Latino, Mediterranean, & American Cuisines (NHLBI)
• Meal Planning Tips for Caregivers (NRCNA)
• Plan and Shop for Simple Healthy Meals (GWAAR)
• The Magical Power of the Mediterranean Diet (NRCNA)
• Tips for Lowering Calories on DASH (NHLBI)
• Tips to Reducing Salt and Sodium (NHLBI)
• Tips for Reducing Sodium without Reducing Flavor (NRCNA)
• When Delicious Meets Nutritious: Recipes for Heart Health (NHLBI)

Nutrition Education

• 28 Days Towards a Healthy Heart (NHLBI)
• Caregiver Nutrition Education Toolkit (NRCNA)
• Determine Your Nutritional Health (NSI)
• Food for Thought: The Role of Nutrition in Healthy Aging (Alliance for Aging)
• Nutrition Education and Activities (Greater Wisconsin AAA)
• Nutrition Facts Label Guide (NHLBI)

Nutrition Needs

• Calcium Brief
• Fiber Brief
• Protein Brief
• Vitamin B6 Brief
• Vitamin B12 Brief
• Vitamin D Brief

Socialization and Well-being

Physical Activity

• Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (Health.gov)

• Get Active with DASH (NHLBI)

• Healthy Aging in Parks: Evidence-based Programs Benefit Older Adults

  • Video

  • Toolkit

• Healthy Blood Pressure for Healthy Hearts: Small Steps to Take Control (NHLBI)

• Improving the Healthspan of Older Adults through Nutrition (IAFNS)

• Making the Move to DASH (NHLBI)

Social Connection

• Food, Wellness, and Nutrition Holiday Inspiration Calendar (NRCNA)
• Health, Well-Being, and/or Social Connections in a Remote Environment (NHLBI) 
• Managing Loneliness (NIHCM)
• Social Connections Among Older Adults and People with Disabilities (NCI-AD)
• Tips for Easing Social Isolation (New Jersey Division of Aging Services)

Specific Populations

• A Harvest of Recipes with USDA Foods (USDA)
• American Indian Traditional Foods in USDA School Meals Programs (WI Dept. of Public Instruction)
• An Examination of Veterans’ Diet Quality (USDA)
• Calorie Counter: Native Foods (NDEP)
• Delicious Heart Healthy Latino Recipes/Platillos latinos ¡sabrosos y saludables! (NHLBI)
• Feeding Ourselves: Pathways to Healthy Native American Communities (AHA)
• Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases (FDA)
• Heart Healthy Home Cooking African American Style (NHLBI)
• Indigenous Foods: A Path to Healthy Living (NICOA)
• On the Move to Better Heart Health for African Americans (NHLBI)
• Racial Equity: Perspectives on Delivery of OAA Programs (Benjamin Rose Institute)