More elderly go hungry.

• Author: Mendoza, Gilberto
• Position: TRENDS

The percentage of older Americans facing the threat of hunger is rising, according to a 2014 report by the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger. Of Americans age 60 and older, 15.3 percent, or 9.3 million, are "food insecure," without safe, affordable food available to them at all times.

Seniors who don't eat well, or don't eat enough, are 60 percent more likely to develop depression, 53 percent more likely to report heart attacks, 40 percent more likely to report congestive heart failure and 200 percent more likely to develop asthma, according to the foundation. Food insecure seniors also experience decreased resistance to infections and lengthened hospital stays.

For older Americans with chronic diseases, food can make a huge difference in their health. In general, seniors who eat well respond better to medication, maintain and gain strength faster and have higher rates of recovering and maintaining their health. Often, patients are required to take food with their medications. Access to proper nutrition is paramount in the prevention of various illnesses and disabilities, including diabetes, hypertension and heart and lung problems.

Hunger-related health care costs for all Americans total $130.5 billion each year, according to researchers at Brandeis University and the Center for American Progress who compiled statistics from numerous sources.

Seniors often don't eat well because they lack enough money to pay for all...