by Chidera Anthony-Wise*

“No”.

This is the response of a director at an Arkansas nursing home, when asked if she would eat the food served at the facility. 

Food inspection reports cite “rancid meat, spoiled vegetables, moldy fruits and meals, at times prepared in filthy conditions”. Elderly populations are particularly susceptible to foodborne diseases due to weak immune systems, chronic diseases, and immobility, highlighting the need for the utmost nourishing foods. Yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between 1998 and 2017, approximately 230 foodborne outbreaks have been recorded in long-term care settings, leading to 532 hospitalizations and 54 deaths. In 2022 alone, there were 1,127 outbreaks nationwide, leading to 555 hospitalizations and 55 deaths. 

This reality begs the question, why is the problem getting worse?

Continue reading “Inedible: Substandard Food in Nursing Homes” →