Newswise — WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, commends the U.S. Senate for passing the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2015 (S. 192). “This legislation represents a bipartisan effort to provide essential services for seniors, such as nutrition programs, caregiver support and elder justice, among others,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy President Dr. Evelyn F. Crayton. The Older Americans Act is the primary vehicle for delivering social and nutrition programs to older individuals. Its programs provide critical services, including healthy meals, to older adults who might otherwise be at risk of malnutrition:· About 11 million (one in five) older adults are served annually by OAA programs.· A varied, healthy diet that takes into account the particular nutritional needs of older Americans keeps older adults healthy and independent.· Nutrition therapy and interventions are cost-effective: o The cost of one day in a hospital is roughly the same cost as providing a patient with one year of meals through OAA nutrition programs. o The cost of one month in a nursing home is the same cost as providing an OAA nutrition client with mid-day meals, five days per week, for seven years.· As primary prevention and health promotion, medical nutrition therapy delivered by registered dietitian nutritionists as part of OAA nutrition programs lessens chronic disease risk and addresses nutrition problems that can lead to more serious and costly conditions and adverse effects. “The Academy supports S. 192, and we strongly encourage the U.S. House of Representatives to move quickly to pass this important legislation and send it to President Obama for final signature,” Crayton said. “We look forward to working on the implementation of the Older Americans Act to ensure that America’s seniors are able to receive these essential services in the future.” ### The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.