Daily meals vs. frozen shipments: which keeps seniors home longer?

NCT ID NCT05357261

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Brown University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026

Summary

This study compares two ways of delivering meals to homebound adults aged 66 and older who are on Meals on Wheels waiting lists. One group gets a hot meal delivered daily, five days a week; the other receives a box of 10 frozen meals every two weeks. Researchers track how many days participants spend in hospitals or nursing homes over six months, and also measure food security, loneliness, and quality of life. The goal is to see if daily delivery with social contact helps seniors remain in their own homes longer.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Prepared meals
What this could lead to: If daily meal delivery proves better than biweekly frozen shipments, it could help older adults stay independent longer and reduce healthcare costs.
What could go wrong: The study compares two meal delivery methods, not a treatment, so the impact may be modest. Results depend on real-world factors like meal quality and participant adherence.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HEALTHY

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Aging True

Jacksonville, Florida, 32210, United States
Amigos Del Valle, Inc

Mission, Texas, 78572, United States
Meals On Wheels - Anderson

Anderson, South Carolina, 29624, United States
Meals On Wheels Durham

Durham, North Carolina, 27703, United States
Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois

Evanston, Illinois, 60201, United States
Meals on Wheels San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas, 78229, United States
Meals on Wheels San Diego County

San Diego, California, 92110, United States
Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland, 21224, United States
Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA)

Memphis, Tennessee, 38126, United States
Neighborly Care Network

Clearwater, Florida, 33762, United States
Northwest Assistance Ministries

Houston, Texas, 77090, United States
Senior Resources Inc

Columbia, South Carolina, 29205, United States
Senior Resources of Guilford

Greensboro, North Carolina, 27408, United States
Visiting Nurse Association of Texas

Dallas, Texas, 75247, United States

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