Outcomes Matter: The Need for Improved Data Collection and Measurement in Our Nation's Home-Delivered Meals Programs

The nation's home-delivered meals program is an important service strategy to provide nutrition and socialization to hundreds of thousands of homebound older adults. However, data limitations have prevented the formation of an evidence-base for these programs beyond measuring outputs. This article discusses our need to have a better way to measure and analyze need, unmet need, and outcomes associated with receipt of services in order to ensure that this valuable program receives the level of support required to continue to serve homebound older adults. In order to shape the discussion about the best ways to provide evidence of these programs' impact, it is important to think about what outcomes could and should be measured, the best possible sources of data, and how providers can collect this information effectively and uniformly.