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5 Ways Seniors Can Have Food Delivered to Their Door
Written by OurParents Staff
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8 minute readLast updated February 12, 2024
For many seniors, grocery shopping or dining out can be challenging, especially when driving or walking is no longer an option. This difficulty in accessing food can be a major concern, as eating well is important health, comfort, and quality of life. Fortunately, there are several meal services for seniors that make food delivery faster and easier than ever.
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1. Grocery delivery for seniors
For many, a trip to the grocery store can be a daunting task. Fortunately, various businesses now offer grocery delivery services for seniors who want to age safely at home. This convenient option allows seniors to easily shop from home and get their groceries delivered right to their door. While these services are currently available in select areas, their growing popularity suggests they will expand to more locations in the future, making grocery shopping more accessible for your loved one regardless of where they live. Popular grocery delivery services include: Many local grocery stores also offer their own delivery services. Check with your loved one’s local grocery store to see whether this is an option.
- Shipt: For a monthly ($10.99) or annual ($69) subscription fee, you can use Shipt for grocery delivery as often as required. Orders over $35 get free delivery.
- Instacart: Instacart charges delivery and services fees on each order, which vary based on factors like location, store, number of items, delivery window, and more. Seniors can pay $99 a year (or $9.99 per month) for an Instacart+ membership that includes free delivery and lower service fees on orders over $35.
- Amazon Fresh: Amazon has added grocery delivery to the long list of services it offers. For now, it’s only available in select cities, but it may well expand if it proves successful. Where offered, Amazon Fresh is available only to Prime members at an extra monthly subscription fee.
- FreshDirect: FreshDirect has its own inventory, making its biggest selling point the promise of freshness. FreshDirect has a minimum order and delivery fee, both of which vary based on location. Seniors can sign up for one year ($129) or six months ($79) of free delivery through the company’s DeliveryPass service.
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2. Meal kit delivery services
Meal kit delivery services have become a popular choice for seniors who enjoy cooking but want to avoid the hassle of grocery shopping. These services send pre-portioned ingredients and recipes directly to your loved one’s doorstep. While most operate on a weekly subscription model, some (like Chef’d and FreshRealm) offer a more flexible, on-demand approach. Here’s a quick look at some of the best home-delivered meal services for seniors: Keep in mind that for most meal delivery services, prices often decrease with larger family plans. Additionally, most of these services cater to specific dietary needs — focusing on vegetarian, gluten-free, or organic options — making them strong choices for seniors with specific preferences or dietary restrictions.
- Blue Apron: Bring the joy of a chef’s touch to your parent’s dining table with Blue Apron. Its service offers a variety of mouth-watering recipes that make mealtime an exciting and delicious adventure.
- HelloFresh: HelloFresh delivers a splash of convenience and fun in every box. It’s perfect for aging parents who love to explore different cuisines while enjoying the comfort of home-cooked meals.
- Green Chef: If your parents want to prioritize health, Green Chef is a game-changer. This service provides ingredients free from GMOs, pesticides, and antibiotics, ensuring every meal is not only delicious but also nutritious.
- Home Chef: Home Chef understands the ever-changing food schedules of seniors. If your parent decides they don’t need a delivery for a week, skipping is hassle-free and offers additional flexibility.
- Purple Carrot: With Purple Carrot, your loved one can enjoy delicious plant-based meals brought right to their door. This service is also perfect for seniors who prefer a vegan diet.
- Marley Spoon: Marley Spoon brings a touch of Martha Stewart’s culinary expertise to your parent’s kitchen. Choose from more than 100 delectable recipes each week, turning meal prep into a gourmet experience.
- Sunbasket: Sunbasket is ideal for seniors who appreciate the finer things in life. It offers meals made with organic, farm-fresh ingredients that are a delight to the senses and ready in minutes.
- FreshRealm: If your loved one likes to add a personal touch to their meals, FreshRealm is perfect for them. With chef-tested meals that are planned and prepped, your parent can enjoy cooking with a bit of flair.
3. Prepared meals
For seniors who prefer ready-to-eat meals, some services deliver prepared food right to their door. These meals just need to be heated, offering greater convenience without the need for cooking. They’re an effective solution to combating senior malnutrition. Here are some options for prepared meal delivery services: Many prepared meals delivered to seniors also cater to special dietary needs, making them suitable for seniors with various dietary needs, such as gluten-free, vegan, or diabetic diets.
- Munchery: Provides both weekly subscription kits and the flexibility to order specific meals as desired.
- Factor: Offers nutritious, restaurant-quality meals made by a team of culinary experts to enjoy at home.
- Magic Kitchen: Features a range of meals, including a special Senior Meals menu, with the option to select specific dishes.
- Top Chef Meals: Allows seniors to choose individual meals from their menu for anytime delivery.
- Sunfare: Provides both monthly and weekly subscription plans.
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4. Restaurant delivery
If a senior meals delivery service or kit doesn’t fit your loved one’s needs, they can always enjoy meals from their favorite restaurants delivered right to their doorstep. Many restaurants offer delivery, and there are also popular delivery services that provide a wide variety of options: These services partner with local restaurants to offer a diverse selection.
- Grubhub: Grubhub brings a world of flavors to your parent’s doorstep. This speedy service is ideal for those days when cooking feels like a chore.
- Postmates: Meal delivery with Postmates is like having a personal assistant for your parent’s cravings. Whether it’s a favorite local diner or a sweet treat, Postmates delivers it quickly and efficiently.
- DoorDash: With DoorDash, your loved one can explore a vast collection of local eateries and famous chains with just a few clicks. It’s perfect for seniors who love variety and the excitement of trying new dishes.
- Uber Eats: Uber Eats offers a seamless and reliable way for your aging parent to enjoy meals from their favorite restaurants. It combines convenience and culinary delight, making every meal enjoyable.
5. Meals on Wheels
While the above food delivery options for the elderly are convenient, they can be costly. Meals on Wheels is an excellent alternative for seniors on a tighter budget. This service provides weekly meals, along with the friendly company of a volunteer, offering both nutritional and emotional support.
Bonus Option: Local CSAs
In some areas, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs deliver fresh produce directly to seniors. While not available everywhere, it’s worth checking to see what’s available in your area if your parent might like the idea of having farm fresh produce delivered to their door. Altogether, these senior meal delivery options provide a convenient way to ensure your loved ones have access to nutritious food, even when cooking at home or grocery shopping is not an option. Whether it’s the ease of grocery delivery services, the fun of meal kits, the simplicity of prepared meals, the variety of restaurant delivery, or the affordability of Meals on Wheels, there’s a solution to fit every need and preference. Each of these services helps you maintain a healthy and enjoyable diet for your loved one, thereby positively contributing to their overall well-being and quality of life.
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