Editing Hunger (section)

===United States===
The elderly have an increased risk of going hungry as well as increased negative effects of hunger. In the US the number of seniors experiencing hunger rose 88% between 2001 and 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.bread.org/who-experiences-hunger|title = Who Experiences Hunger|website=Bread for the World|date = 5 February 2015|access-date = 26 October 2021|archive-date = 20 September 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220920001535/https://www.bread.org/who-experiences-hunger|url-status = live}}</ref>

This age group suffers the most from chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. Eighty percent of this group has a minimum of one chronic condition, and almost 70% have two or more.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-healthy-aging|title=The National Council on Aging|access-date=26 October 2021|archive-date=16 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116172824/https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-healthy-aging|url-status=live}}</ref> These illnesses are exacerbated and are more likely to develop under the addition of hunger. A report from 2017 shows that seniors facing this issue are 60% more likely to experience depression than seniors who are not hungry, and 40% are more likely to develop congestive heart failure. The added stress of inconsistent and inadequate feedings make these conditions much more dangerous.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://aginginplace.org/the-facts-behind-senior-hunger/|title = The Facts Behind Senior Hunger - Updated for 2021|date = 12 November 2018|access-date = 26 October 2021|archive-date = 12 August 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220812150750/https://aginginplace.org/the-facts-behind-senior-hunger/|url-status = live}}</ref>

Fixed incomes often limit the elderly's ability to freely purchase food necessities.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}} Medical costs and housing may take priority over quality foods. Limited mobility makes it difficult for these individuals to physically leave their homes, especially in areas lacking public transportation or transportation catering to a disabled body.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}} The COVID-19 pandemic made things more difficult, older people statistically suffer worse outcomes, and so could be reluctant to venture out for food.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

The [[Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program]] (SNAP) provides aid to low-income seniors in relation to food security. This is an opportunity for seniors who receive benefits to allocate money in their budgets for other needs, such as medical or housing bills. However, participation is extremely low. Fewer than half of eligible seniors are enrolled and receive benefits; 3 out of five seniors are qualified but not enrolled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncoa.org/article/7-facts-about-older-adults-and-snap|title=The National Council on Aging|access-date=26 October 2021|archive-date=11 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911161125/https://www.ncoa.org/article/7-facts-about-older-adults-and-snap|url-status=live}}</ref>