Nutrition Programs for the Elderly Because  nutrition  has  been  shown  to  play such  a  vital  role  in  maintaining  the  health  and well-being  of  the  elderly,  a  number  of  nutrition programs  which  can  assist  elderly  persons  have developed.  Some  of  these  programs  were  devel- oped  under  the  auspices  of  the  National  Nutri- tion  Program  for  the  Elderly. MEALS  ON  WHEELS.—Meals  on  wheels  is a   nutrition   program   designed   for   the   elderly who  are  homebound.  Volunteers  provide  daily delivery  of  a  hot  noon  meal  and  cold  supper  to elderly  participants.  Payment  for  the  meals  is based  upon  the  individual’s  income. CONGREGATE   MEAL   PROGRAMS.— Congregate  meal  programs  generally  provide  a hot  noon  meal  to  older  citizens  at  various  cen- ters located within the community. Programs in recreation,   education,   and   health   are   often available  before  or  after  each  meal. FOOD   STAMPS.—Food   stamps   are   cou- pons which are spent just like cash in food stores and  supermarkets.  The  food  stamp  program  is administered  by  the  U.S.  Department  of  Agri- culture  through  local  and  state  social  service agencies. The program operates in the continen- tal  United  States,  Puerto  Rico,  Guam,  Alaska, Hawaii,   and   the   District   of   Columbia.   If   a retiree is eligible for food stamps, an identifica- tion card is issued and food stamps are mailed to the  retiree  once  a  month.  Normally,  the  tele- phone  directory  will  list  the  address  and  the telephone  number  of  the  food  stamp  office  in the  area. Nursing Homes for the Elderly Nursing  homes  are  facilities  which  can  pro- vide custodial and health care services to: Chronically  ill  patients Convalescent  patients Maternity  patients Patients  who  are  invalids Patients  who  are  elderly Resource  and  referral  information  in  regard to nursing homes can generally be obtained from the local Department of Health, a hospital social worker,   the   nearest   branch   or   representative of  the  American  Nursing  Home  Association, or  the  American  Association  of  Homes  for  the Aging. National Organizations for Older People There are many local and national organiza- tions  for  older  people.  Membership  in  these organizations   can   sometimes   prove   helpful   to elderly   retired   people.   Some   of   the   major national  organizations  for  older  people  include: American   Association   of   Retired Persons/National   Retired   Teachers   Associa- tion  (AARP/NRTA),  1909  K  Street  NW, Washington,  DC  20049 National  Council  for  Senior  Citizens (NCSC),  1511  K  Street  NW,  Washington,  DC 20005 National  Association  of  Retired  Federal Employees   (NARFE),   1533   New   Hampshire Avenue  NW,  Washington,  DC  20036 Gray  Panthers,  3700  Chestnut  Street, Philadelphia,  PA  19104 SERVICES  FOR  ALCOHOLIC  AND DRUG DEPENDENT PERSONS Alcohol   and   drug   dependence   are   serious problems  for  a  significant  number  of  Navy  and Marine  Corps  members  and  their  families.  The chaplain is often called upon to provide pastoral counseling  and  referral  assistance  to  military members and their families who are facing prob- lems of this nature. 5-32