With a national healthcare debate raging and the state continuing to cut its budget, a group of Oklahoma Senators met at the Capitol this week, hoping to ensure senior citizen nutrition is not forgotten.

Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha, was joined by 12 other senators from the Republican Rural Caucus to consider using federal stimulus money to buffer cuts to the Department of Human Resources, which provides many meals to the elderly.

Justice is the chair of the Republican Rural Caucus.

The caucus proposed that Gov. Brad Henry set aside 5 percent, or $5.26 million, of the $105.2 million in stimulus money for the Department of Human Services, which has had it's budget cut by more than $7 million since 2003.

"We're in a critical financial crunch and we're trying to work together to find some ways to solve some problems," Justice said. "Alot of the rural caucus members are concerned."

He said the Department of Human Services has yet to recover from the 2003 budget cuts. His biggest fear is that seniors will go without food and nutritional services.

Citizens at private retirement homes such as Glenhaven Village in Chickasha may not have to worry about daily meals, but their diet is always of concern.

Kami Ratcliffe is a registered dietician for the retirement center, as well as Grady Memorial Hospital.

She said good nutrition helps seniors maintain weight and strength.

A balanced diet also helps prevent disease and infection.

But for those still living at home, a balanced diet can be hard to come by, she said.

"A lot are disabled and can't prepare for themselves," she said. "[The Senior Nutrition Center] is very helpful. It's not just the food that's provided, it's the socialization."

The Department of Human services provides money to its Aging Services Division, which distributes to local governments and Senior Nutrition Centers, said Tara Brown project, director of the Grady, Caddo, Cotton, Jefferson and Tillman County elderly nutrition programs.

She said the centers provide meals and social interaction to help seniors stay active. She said the gatherings give medical workers a chance to keep track of seniors' physical and mental health. Depression is prevalent among the elderly who live at home alone, she said.

"We're more than just a meal; it's just knowing that we can help," Brown said.

While they provide many services, senior nutrition centers across the state are finding it increasingly difficult to acquire funds to buy food and pay staff. Brown said centers have been forced to cut offerings to four meals a week, instead of five.

"We are fortunate at this time that our communities are working closely with our nutrition centers," she said.

"My concern will be for how long we will be able to continue to do that."

Director of the center for 23 years, Brown said this has been the worst year yet. She fears further cuts could make the situation unmanageable.

"If we receive any major funding cuts, we're looking at having to close some of our smaller centers," she said.

"We have gone through challenges without funds, but this is the most drastic."

If Justice and the Rural Republican caucus can make any headway and loosen funds it will be a victory for both bipartisan cooperation and the elderly who are in need, he said.