Meals on Wheels: Fueling Seniors, Fighting Isolation

Josh Protas, Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer at Meals on Wheels America, joins CareLab to break down the life-saving impact of food delivery for older adults. From social isolation to policy threats, this conversation dives into why senior nutrition services matter — and what’s at stake if we don’t act. Whether you're a caregiver, policymaker, or just someone who cares, this episode will open your eyes and offer ways to get involved.

Chapters:

00:00 – Comfort food & why this conversation matters

05:50 – What Meals on Wheels actually provides

10:40 – Social connection, safety checks & independence

14:45 – The funding problem and waitlists

23:10 – Medicare, Medicaid & policy threats

32:50 – How to take action & support your community

Resources:

Learn more about Meals on Wheels: https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org

Care equipment solutions: https://www.asksamie.com

Future of care navigation: https://seniorai.app

More episodes + resources: https://www.carelabpodcast.com