Grocery shopping is often one of the most difficult and overwhelming chores for seniors. It’s something so common that most of us don’t think much about it, but for seniors a visit to the market can be fraught with challenges.
First of all, the shopping process presents multiple obstacles for older adults in many vulnerable areas: driving, carrying heavy items or multiple items at once, walking for an extended period of time, and organization and memory skills. These can make it tough for them to get everything they need in one trip.
Fortunately, the grocery shopping experience has evolved over the years, and new methods can be very beneficial if your senior loved one is willing to take advantage of the options available to them.
Five ways to make grocery shopping easier for seniors:
1. Embrace Technology
In the past few years, the trend of ordering your groceries online – or even through an app on your smartphone – has become quite commonplace. While some seniors are resistant to change and using technology to order their food, it certainly eliminates most – if not all – of the challenges otherwise faced. Simply place your order, which can be done by scrolling through easy-to-navigate pages with pictures of the products, nutritional information and everything else you need. Then just wait for to the groceries to be brought to your door. Some vendors will even put the items away in your refrigerator and cabinets if you desire. It couldn’t get any easier. While many stores, including Walmart, offer their own delivery services, Instacart delivers for a wide range of grocers making grocery shopping for seniors more accessible.
2. Make a Comprehensive List
If your senior loved one isn’t comfortable with ordering online, at least make sure they’re prepared before they go. The best way to do that is by making a good, old-fashioned list of what they need to buy. It’s easy to get distracted and forget things, especially as a senior with memory challenges. Write each item down and check them off the list when you place them in your cart to avoid any issues.
3. Pursue Quick and Easy
Many seniors have difficulty realizing that they are only preparing meals for one or two people these days. A great alternative is to look for prepared individual meals, which can often be found near your store’s deli department. They include things like ready-made salads and heat-and-eat entrees complete with a side dish or two. Not only are the meals easy to prepare, they’re portion controlled and nutritious. Don’t just think about things that might sound good; instead, try to plan as specifically as possible what you plan to eat for each meal throughout the week, then use that information to craft your grocery list. Online food delivery services like Factor also offer ready-to-heat meals that are crafted by culinary experts.
4. Don’t Forget the Frozen Foods
When you’re not buying individual meals, another great way to keep things simple and quick when it comes to preparing breakfast, lunch, or dinner is to check out the freezer aisle. There you can find items which can be popped into the oven, microwave or air fryer for simple, fast and nutritious meals. The freezer section is especially good for finding proteins ranging from sausage for breakfast to pork, beef, chicken and turkey dishes for lunch and dinner. Speak with your healthcare provider or nutritionist to learn about the best convenient and healthy freezer foods for you – ones that are not high in sodium or additives.
5. Don’t Go Overboard
Senior citizens often eat smaller portion sizes than their younger counterparts. So, while that family-sized package of food might seem like a bargain, buying in bulk is not a good use of money. Pay attention to expiration dates and ask yourself if you’ll use all of what you buy before its “best by date” arrives. Meal kit delivery services like Blue Apron or HelloFresh offer pre-portioned ingredients delivered to your door with step-by-step recipes you can follow for delicious meals without the waste.
Plan Ahead
More than anything else, it’s important for seniors to use common sense before and during their shopping experience. Ask these questions to find more opportunities to make your shopping experience easier and more enjoyable:
- Are there weather concerns or holidays upcoming that might affect the availability of the groceries you need?
- If you’re retired, can you go to the store during weekday mornings as opposed to weekends and weeknights, when more people tend to crowd the store?
- Is there help available for carrying your groceries to your vehicle?
Find more helpful tips for seniors on our Health & Wellness blog.
