Do you have elderly parents who live on their own? Are you worried that they may not be eating as nutritiously as they should? Is it difficult to find and then prepare the seasonal veggies required for their specific dietary needs? If so, then this post is a must-read.
One of the easiest ways to ensure that your elderly relatives are eating nutritiously is to have family meals delivered daily or even weekly. This not only reduces the hassle of an elderly person struggling to make food but also gives loved ones peace of mind that any special dietary needs are being met.
Meal Delivery Equals Simplicity
There are many benefits for individuals of all ages to opt for meal delivery services. This is especially the case for elderly people who may be struggling with mobility issues. Food prep can also be a hassle for any with arthritis in their hands. Keep reading as we highlight the benefits of setting up a meal delivery service for your elderly relatives.
- No Hassle of Food Prep
There’s no denying that healthy food requires a lot of preparation. Fruit and vegetables need to be chopped and sliced and then cooked and served. While this may seem like a quick and easy chore for most people, it can be difficult for anyone dealing with health issues that affect their joints or hands. Standing at the kitchen table can also be challenging for anyone with mobility issues.
You can avoid these issues by signing up for a meal delivery service. Food arrives already cooked and just needs to be heated, which can be done in a few minutes in a microwave oven. Depending on how far from the meal delivery service your loved one stays, it may even be possible to deliver food warm and ready to eat. Food can be eaten directly out of the container if preferred, eliminating the need for struggling with too many dishes.
- Meals are Customised
Many elderly people have specific dietary requirements which can also make food prep challenging. Choosing a quality meal prep service will allow you to customise your loved one’s meal plan based on their dietary requirements of specific preferences.
Most meal delivery services cater for a wide range of dietary requirements which include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and low calories, and meals are also diabetic and heart-friendly. With a wide variety on offer, it will be easy for your loved one to eat a nutritious meal every day.
Being able to choose specific foods also eliminates a loved one having to deal with the hassle of preparing two different meals if their partner needs to eat different food. It’s as simple as choosing a different meal from the menu!
- Portion Control is Taken Care of
Choosing a meal delivery service also ensures that portion control is managed correctly. This ensures that your loved one isn’t at risk of nutritional deficiencies. There’s also no food wastage. Meal delivery services also offer a wide range on their menus, so by eating the right amount of dinner, your loved one can easily spoil themselves with dessert without affecting any special diets.
You can opt for dinners only or choose a service that caters for breakfast and healthy snacks as well. In many instances, meals can be bought daily or weekly. Simply store foods such as salads and casseroles in the freezer until needed.
- Less Chance of Kitchen Injuries
Trying to chop veggies while dealing with the pain of joint arthritis can be both painful and challenging. Providing your loved one with a variety of healthy meals reduces the need for them to peel, chop, and cut tough veggies and meat. This in turn reduces the risk of sustaining cuts. Since food doesn’t have to be cooked, there’s also no need to deal with hot oil and pots of boiling water which can also cause serious injuries.
- No Need to do Extensive Grocery Shopping
Grocery shopping can be challenging for some elderly people. This is especially the case when they need to find transport to the shops and then go from one store to another looking for specific ingredients for the meal plans they’re supposed to be following. Add mobility and other health issues into the mix and it can become stressful and unpleasant.
When you sign up for a regular meal delivery service, it eliminates the need for extensive grocery shopping. There’s no need to look for seasonal fruit and veggies. Instead, choose meals, desserts, and snacks from a menu and have them delivered when it suits your loved one. Planning meal delivery also ensures that accurate budgeting can be done to cover the whole week or month.
Final Thoughts
Meal delivery services can make meal times significantly easier for your loved one. By choosing their daily or weekly meals, they will have peace of mind that fresh, healthy meals are available whenever they need them. You’ll also have peace of mind that they can eat nutritiously without the risk of a major kitchen accident. It provides peace of mind all around!
