Bridging the divide between healthcare and social care

For many seniors, Meals on Wheels isn’t just a source of sustenance — it’s a lifeline of human connection. In this episode of Under the Same Sky, Abner Mason met with Daryl Twerdahl, executive director of Meals on Wheels California, to explore how food, compassion, and advocacy are bridging the divide between healthcare and social care. The simple act of delivering a meal can carry profound significance in addressing health-related social needs.

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Daryl Twerdahl’s path to leadership at Meals on Wheels California begins with a story about her grandfather in Arkansas, whose wish to stay at home rather than enter assisted living, left a lasting impression on her. This experience triggered her dedication to ensuring seniors could remain in their homes with dignity and adequate care. Starting as a volunteer, Daryl soon became deeply embedded in the organization, eventually helping to establish Meals on Wheels California in 2015. After retiring in 2019, she returned just three months later to lead the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic — a time that underscored the severe food insecurity and isolation faced by seniors.

Meals on Wheels California is a state-wide organization that advocates for Meals on Wheels and senior nutrition programs. They serve over 80+ member programs across the state by addressing two critical needs — food and companionship. While providing nutritious meals is essential, Daryl emphasized that the interaction for seniors is equally significant. Often, the delivery drivers are the only regular human contact seniors have, creating a lifeline of emotional and social support. Daryl explained that isolation has profound effects on health, “comparable to smoking 17 cigarettes a day.” Meals on Wheels recognizes this by fostering community connections and delivering more than just food; they bring care, attention, and a sense of belonging.

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Advancing Advocacy and Collaboration for Senior Nutrition

Meals on Wheels California is dedicated to advocacy, education, and service. The organization played a pivotal role in securing a $35 million increase in state funding for senior nutrition during the pandemic and continues to champion policies that support seniors’ health and well-being. Daryl highlighted that collaboration is key, and their partnerships with agencies and local programs enable tailored solutions that address food insecurity. To better integrate with the healthcare system, Meals on Wheels California is developing a statewide platform to facilitate contracts with health plans. This approach ensures that seniors’ nutritional needs are met as part of a broader strategy to improve health outcomes.

Currently, one of the greatest challenges is breaking down the silos between healthcare and social services. Daryl noted that treating individuals as “one-dimensional” ignores the relationship between clinical and social needs. By partnering with healthcare providers, Meals on Wheels aims to deliver holistic care that keeps seniors healthy and in their homes — an approach proven to save costs and improve quality of life.

A Vision for Transformative Senior Care in California

Despite the challenges, Daryl remains optimistic. California’s leadership, particularly through the Department of Aging, is making strides toward integrating services and addressing unmet needs. She highlighted the resilience and dedication of local programs who go above and beyond to serve isolated communities in challenging conditions. Daryl sees this moment as a critical opportunity to build stronger systems of care that blend clinical and social support seamlessly. Abner concluded by emphasizing that the work of Meals on Wheels California is more than vital — it’s transformative. Through advocacy, innovation, and a relentless focus on dignity and connection, Meals on Wheels is proving that we can do better for our seniors.