Grocery Shopping Assistance for Seniors: Making Aging in Place Easier For Older Adults
The basic tasks of grocery shopping, cooking, and enjoying a meal become more difficult as we age. Even seniors who can still drive may find the chore of going to the supermarket too exhausting. Skipping meals or eating snack foods because the cupboards are bare is a health risk for older adults, but it can be avoided.
Grocery shopping assistance for seniors has become much easier to find in recent years. Many options include downloading apps and using the internet, which not everyone is interested in doing. But don’t worry; non-tech-savvy seniors can also get assistance with grocery delivery.
Here are three of the most common ways families and loved ones provide grocery shopping assistance for seniors:
Instacart
Instacart is a great option when you need groceries in a hurry. The online ordering process is easy: simply enter a zip code, choose from markets available in your area, and select your groceries.
Even folks who don’t feel confident using the internet can manage the Instacart platform. It can be used via an app on your smartphone or by going directly to the Instacart website. Shoppers who need specialty items that meet dietary restrictions will appreciate the ease of use.
Users pay the price listed for groceries plus a delivery fee. Instacart is widely available and has a good reputation for prompt customer service. Shoppers are independent contractors who go to the indicated store and pick up your groceries. If any item is unavailable, they will contact you before selecting substitutions.
Pricing varies for each store, which can affect the delivery fee because it is based on the total purchase. A non-waivable 5% service fee has recently been added for all orders.
Amazon Fresh
Amazon is known for super-fast delivery on most items, and groceries are no exception. Their grocery delivery service is well-suited for subscribers of other Amazon services such as Amazon Prime. Anyone familiar with shopping from Amazon will find grocery shopping easy.
You must be an Amazon Prime member to use Amazon Fresh. Amazon Prime costs $119 per year, and Amazon Fresh costs an additional $15 per month on top of that.
Amazon Fresh is affordable, especially if you’re already a Prime member. Food comes in spoil-resistant packaging, and customers praise the constancy in both service and food quality.
However, this service offers only limited fresh foods with no local suppliers. The delivery range is also limited and may not be available in rural areas. It may not be a cost-effective option for people who do not already have an Amazon Prime membership.
Home Care Assistance
Hiring a home care assistant is one of the few ways to offer grocery shopping assistance for seniors that does not require internet use. In fact, it could be as simple as providing reliable transportation for your aging loved one. It is also an option that provides many other benefits, such as companionship and a personal touch.
An in-home assistant can also perform other necessary duties such as putting the groceries away, preparing meals, and completing light housework chores.
The median hourly wage of an in-home caregiver varies, but is roughly $29 per hour in California. While that may seem costly for grocery delivery alone, consider all of the services a home care assistant provides. In a typical week, grocery shopping would be only one of the many tasks an in-home caregiver takes care of.
The biggest pro to hiring an in-home caregiver is the personal service they provide. Instead of ordering online or dealing with an anonymous person, a senior can rely on their care provider to purchase the items, brands, and sizes they prefer.
Being able to count on the same friendly face for assistance with groceries and other needs makes life easier for older adults who need an extra hand to remain independent.
However, if grocery delivery is truly the only service a senior needs, and they are tech-savvy enough to download and use shopping apps, hiring an in-home assistant to do grocery shopping probably isn’t a practical solution.
But if any other services are needed, including companionship, hiring a home care professional is a great way to ensure your loved one has fresh, healthy food available at all times.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California including: Campbell, CA, Roseville, CA, San Marcos, CA, and San Mateo, CA.
