BTSS addresses the nutritional needs of Bloomfield Township seniors with two essential programs, Meals on Wheels and Nutritional Supplements. For additional information on either program, contact Mary Osborne, MSW, Nutrition Coordinator at 248-723-3500 or Email. (We do not provide nutritional services to West Bloomfield residents. Contact West Bloomfield Township at 248-451-4800 for more information.)
Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements are available to Bloomfield Township seniors based on medical necessity. BTSS orders Ensure® or Ensure Plus® monthly at a reduced rate. Prices vary by product. Talk to your physician and see if a nutritional supplement is recommended. A physician’s order (letter or prescription) is required and must include:
- medical reason for liquid supplementation
- product type
- number of cans to be consumed per day
- current weight.
The physician’s order must be renewed annually.
Meals on Wheels
BTSS provides Meals on Wheels (MOW) to homebound (generally unable to drive or leave the home independently with ease and safety or to prepare complete meals) Bloomfield Township seniors. Meals are delivered by volunteer drivers Monday between 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. The current cost is $5.35 per hot meal.
Current Hot Menu
Meals on Wheels FAQ’s
1. What is Meals on Wheels?
Meals on Wheels is a meal delivery service offered to homebound seniors within the service area of BTSS.
2. Who is eligible?
To be eligible for Meals on Wheels, the client must be 62 years of age or older and homebound. This means that they are unable to drive or leave their home independently with ease and safety or to prepare complete meals for themselves. For additional eligibility criteria please contact BTSS at 248-723-3500 or send an Email.
3. How do I apply?
You or a family member may apply by telephone 248-723-3500 or complete the Nutrition Services Request Form and send it to BTSS via email, mail or fax it to 248-723-3519. When BTSS receives a request for home delivered meals the call and/or information is forwarded to the Nutrition Coordinator. The Nutrition Coordinator will call the potential recipient to obtain information regarding indications of need (reason for meal request, health status, assistance devices), eligibility requirements, and to explain the program.
4. What is the cost?
While the federal government recognizes ~$14.00 as the value of one home delivered meal, our current charge is $5.35 per hot meal. Contributions are essential to the operation of the program.
5. How soon can I start?
Delivery of meals can generally begin approximately 2-3 weeks after the request is received. If your home is on a route that is currently full, you may be placed on a waiting list. Please note that the Meals on Wheels program is not an emergency food service.
6. How nutritious are the meals?
The meals are planned to provide 1/3 of the USDA recommended daily nutrition for older adults. Please click on the MENU link on the BTSS Nutritional Services page to view a sample menu. The meals are prepared and packaged offsite and delivered to BTSS each Monday.
7. Can you accommodate special diets?
Currently the only special diet meal available is a low sodium one. There is no added salt to food during the preparation process. In order to limit the sodium content of the meal, cured or processed meats are served infrequently throughout the month. Meals can be considered “diabetic-friendly” in that fruit is served as the dessert.
8. Is the meal delivered hot or cold?
Currently meals are frozen when delivered. Meals are packaged in either a three or five frozen meal option. Re-heating instructions are included.
9. When are the meals delivered?
The meals will be delivered on Monday morning between 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon.
10. Who delivers the meals?
The meals are delivered by trained, screened volunteers from the community. Volunteers do not handle payments or schedule changes.
11. Can the driver leave the meal if I am not home?
No. The driver will not leave meals unattended. Food safety guidelines do not allow us to leave the meals if no one is home. If the client does not respond to our attempts to deliver their scheduled meals, BTSS will call the client’s emergency contacts.
12. What if I have to cancel a meal?
Meals are ordered on Wednesday the week prior to Monday’s scheduled delivery. If you must change or cancel your order after Wednesday, we will do our best to make the change but you will be invoiced for the meals that were ordered. Should an emergency occasion suddenly arise in which you must be away from home, please call us at 248-723-3500 any time of the day or night so that we do not send a volunteer driver to your home. Feel free to leave a voice message as messages are checked regularly.