Hendon, R. Claude, April, 1986 - EVALUATION OF NUTRITION SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY ABSTRACT: Formative evaluations were conducted on two nutrition programs for the elderly: Mobile Meals Inc. of Akron, Ohio, and the Senior Citizens Nutrition and Activity Program (SCNAP) of Tampa, Florida. These evaluations focused on two questions: 1) whether the service was delivered as intended, and 2) whether the program served the appropriate population? Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to answer these two questions for each service. The findings demonstrate some successful and some problematic areas. Among the most important of the latter is the difficulty both programs have in finding and serving those elderly who are age 75 and over. These two evaluations are discussed in relation to a national evaluation of nutrition programs across the United States. The comparison provides a context for both Mobile Meals and SCNAP, as well as nutrition programs nationwide. It was found that all nutrition programs may underserve the elderly 75 and over. In addition, the design of the delivery system offers fewer services to home-delivered meal participants who are in greater need than congregate participants. The two formative evaluations provide vital information to agencies that deliver the service, to agencies that fund the service, and to the general public. The applications of this information will improve nutrition programs' effectiveness in reducing malnutrition among the elderly.