Breakfast trays now arrive to Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) patients with something extra. Along with their morning meal, hospital patients receive a card that promotes the availability of home-delivered meals from Prescott Meals On Wheels following hospitalization.

“Some people may need assistance with meals during their recovery so we want them to know that Prescott Meals On Wheels can be a tremendously valuable service to them,” said Jeanne Briggs, MA, RD, Director, Nutrition Services at YRMC.

In addition to the meal tray cards, YRMC’s registered dietitians and Care Management team members ask patients how they will manage meal preparation once they leave the hospital. They also discuss Meals On Wheels as an option that ensures they have a balanced meal every day.

“There’s a correlation between nutrition and health,” Briggs said. “Inability to consistently prepare healthy foods is one reason some individuals become malnourished, dehydrated and sometimes need additional hospitalization.”

Prescott Meals On Wheels serves the city of Prescott. Other independent programs are located in Chino Valley, Prescott Valley, Mayer and Yarnell. Meals On Wheels team members – who undergo background checks and training – provide wellness checks during meal deliveries to ensure clients are safe and well.

According to Bert Ijams, Executive Director, Prescott Meals On Wheels, the service can be short term as someone recovers from surgery or continue if the individual is homebound.