According to the US Census Bureau, in Clinton County, there are more than 2400 people over the age of 60 and over 600 live alone.   This can create great challenges for those individuals in regards to their overall health; primarily their physical health, mental health, and nutritional needs.  In several cases, these individuals tend to let their nutritional needs lapse for the opportunity to socialize and for the convenience of ready-made and restaurant foods.   As a result, their health begins to decline because they are not consuming appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals but instead consuming larger amounts of food items with less nutritional value.  Many of the foods they select have lots of added fats, sugars, and sodium.   

The Nutrition Education Program in Clinton County offers group programs at various locations that focuses on healthy eating, budgeting and food safety.  A large number of senior citizens attend these programs.  In particular, a Nutrition Education Healthy Living class, offered in partnership with the Clinton County Public Library, consisted of 12 individuals, with the majority being senior citizens.  Throughout the series of lessons, 100% of those clients have shown a positive improvement in their overall diet; meaning that they are either consuming more fruits and/or vegetables, consuming more dairy or limiting added fats, sugars and sodium.  Also, 60% are avoiding adding salt to their cooking and reading food labels.  These improvements are great successes but the relationships that have formed within this group is a much larger reason to celebrate.  These clients come to hear new information about eating healthy, but they also come for the social aspect that the meetings provide.  One client states, “This program gives me something to look forward to.”  Another one stated, “I learn something new every time I attend.  I guess it’s true; you can teach an old dog new tricks.”  Not only do the members of the group attend every meeting, they also attend various other meetings held throughout the month so they can expand their social group.  This program has given them an opportunity create new relationships with others who share a common interest; taking care of themselves for the years to come.