Older People in Emergencies; Addressing Food Insecurity, Health Status and Quality of Life: Evaluating the “365+ Days of Care” Program

Dimitrios V. Diamantis, Konstantinos Katsas, Christina Maria Kastorini, Lyndsey Mugford, Nadia Dalma, Marsellos Ramizi, Ourania Papapanagiotou, Afroditi Veloudaki, Athena Linos and Matina Kouvari ()
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Dimitrios V. Diamantis: Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece
Konstantinos Katsas: Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece
Christina Maria Kastorini: Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece
Lyndsey Mugford: Department of History of Science, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard College, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Nadia Dalma: Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece
Marsellos Ramizi: Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece
Ourania Papapanagiotou: Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece
Afroditi Veloudaki: Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece
Athena Linos: Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece
Matina Kouvari: Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: During emergencies, older adults stand among the most vulnerable, facing long-lasting food insecurity and overall health issues. The “365+ Days of Care” food aid program addressed food insecurity and poor quality of life among vulnerable older adults following a devastating wildfire in Greece. Our aim was to evaluate the program’s efficiency, using a process evaluation framework and a partial cost–utility analysis. In total, n = 133 wildfire-hit residents (≥65 years) received daily tailored, pre-cooked meals and/or weekly food packages. The study outcomes were assessed from baseline to 12 months later. Focus groups and interviews ( n = 30), researcher observations, and questionnaires were used to assess the beneficiaries’ perception of the initiative. Within the 12-month follow-up period, food insecurity and malnutrition risk decreased, whereas Mediterranean diet adherence; quality of life; and physical, social, and mental health were improved ( p < 0.05). A one-point increase in food insecurity was positively associated with improved quality of life, general health, limitation in activities, body pain, vitality, and pain/discomfort ( p ’s < 0.05), and it was marginally associated with mobility, anxiety/depression, and self-evaluated health status ( p ’s < 0.1). Quantitative and qualitative data characterized it as successful, acceptable, beneficial, and of high quality. The partial cost–utility ratio was one QALY gained per EUR 22.608. The utilization of well-designed food aid programs during emergencies can alleviate food insecurity and improve quality of life in older adults.

Keywords: older adults; natural disaster; food insecurity; food aid; process evaluation; cost-effectiveness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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