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
Nutrition
- Briefs & Guidelines
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- 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines Consumer Resources (DGA)
- Food Basics for Non-Food Service Managers and Staff (NRCNA)
- Identifying the Total Cost of A Meal (NRCNA)
- Nutrition Requirements of the OAA (NRCNA)
- Food Safety
- Food Security, Hunger, & Malnutrition
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- How to Communicate with Older Adults about Food Insecurity and Hunger (Baylor University)
- Hunger in Older Adults-Challenges and Opportunities for the Aging Services Network (MOWA)
- Identifying Malnutrition and Abuse (NRCNA)
- Nutrition Security Webinar Series (NIFA)
- Sustainable Healthy Diets Guiding Principles (United Nations, WHO)
- Screen & Intervene: Addressing Food Insecurity Among Older Adults (Food Research & Action Center)
- The Health Consequences of Senior Hunger in the United States: Evidence from the 1999-2016 NHANES (Feeding America)
- The State of Senior Hunger in America in 2019 (Feeding America)
- Understanding and Addressing Inequalities in the Food System (University of Missouri)
- Menus & Recipes
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- 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
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- 28 Days Towards a Healthy Heart (NHLBI)
- Caregiver Nutrition Education Toolkit (NRCNA)
- Determine Your Nutritional Health (NSI)
- DETERMINE Questions Pathway Checklist (GWaar)
- Eat Smart, Live Strong (USDA)
- Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less® Online
- Food for Thought: The Role of Nutrition in Healthy Aging (Alliance for Aging)
- Nutrition Education: What are the Requirements? (NRCNA)
- Nutrition Education and Activities (Greater Wisconsin AAA)
- Nutrition Facts Label Guide (NHLBI)
- Nutrition Games: Learning in the Kitchen (NWT Literacy Council)
- SNAP-Ed Nutrition Education Materials (USDA)
- SNAP-Ed Toolkit: 10 Tips for Adults (University of New England)
- Nutrition Needs
Socialization and Well-being
- Mental Health
- Physical Activity
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Healthy Aging in Parks: Evidence-based Programs Benefit Older Adults
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Healthy Blood Pressure for Healthy Hearts: Small Steps to Take Control (NHLBI)
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Improving the Healthspan of Older Adults through Nutrition (IAFNS)
- Social Connection
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- 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)