FOOD CONCERNS FOR GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN

In the U.S. in 2012, 2.7 million grandparents were responsible for meeting the daily needs of their grandchildren. Of these, 657,000 had a disability and 594,000 lived under the poverty line. For working grandparents, the high costs of daycare places an unexpected burden on their pre- retirement savings. Retired custodial grandparents face increased costs of food, clothing, and housing that can quickly eat into retirement savings. These costs often lead grandparents to skimp on necessities, including food. Once the grandchildren are fed, meals sometimes cannot stretch to feed the older adults. One-third of older adults (34.9%) living with a grandchild were under threat of hunger in 2011. This rate is two and a half times that of their peers who were not grandparent caregivers. Food stamp utilization rates among grandparent caregivers could be improved by: (1) locating mobile or satellite food stamp offices in lower income neighborhoods; (2) increasing collaboration with community partners, such as faith-based organizations, seniors centers, and health organizations; (3) locating food stamp application sites in places distinct from welfare offices; and (4) decreasing the reading level and length of the application form.

 

Source: National Foundation to End Senior Hunger, 3/25/14, Grandparents