Getting proper nutrition is a daily concern, as a healthy diet is key to maintaining a happy, healthy lifestyle. Older adults might have trouble accessing the food they need if they struggle getting to the grocery store or preparing meals. The services listed here help seniors get the food, supplies, and meals they need to maintain a healthy diet so they can continue to live safely at home.
Meals on Wheels meal delivery for seniors
Meals on Wheels is a national network of local programs that deliver food to older adults who cannot buy or prepare food due to financial or mobility problems. The program enables older adults to remain in their homes rather than move to an institutional setting to receive the nutrition they need. If you live with these challenges, Meals on Wheels might be the program for you.
Although eligibility for Meals on Wheels varies by local program, typically, you must be over 60 and demonstrate physical or financial need. The service is priced on a sliding scale or can be free of charge, depending on your situation. Meals on Wheels relies on donations, so the program might ask you for a donation for your meal if you can spare the money.
Meals on Wheels also gives much-needed social interaction and basic safety checks. Programs in some areas supply services beyond food delivery, like home repair, phone services, transportation to doctor appointments, and pet food delivery for furry companions.
If you are looking for an area program, check the Meals on Wheels website. A social worker can also help you apply, get assessed, and start receiving benefits.
Mom’s Meals delivery for seniors
Mom’s Meals is a unique food delivery service: Their meals are tailored to meet your medical needs. For example, if you have diabetes, you can request a low-carb meal plan to avoid insulin spikes. This program might be a good choice if you have dietary requirements such as gluten-free, vegetarian, heart-friendly, or pureed foods, among other options.
Some customers may be eligible to receive reduced- or no-cost meal deliveries. Some Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans may cover the cost of meals if you qualify. Typically, Medicare does not cover nonmedical care, but Medicare Part C plans sometimes expand coverage to include payment for wellness programs, which may include meal delivery services. Check your plan’s coverage for details. Some Medicaid programs also offer coverage for meal delivery. Medicaid programs vary from state to state, so you should check with your Medicaid provider to see if you qualify for this benefit.
Even if you do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, you can still get Mom’s Meals delivered. The price of their meals is just under $10.00.
Silver Cuisine meal delivery for seniors
Silver Cuisine is a meal delivery company that aims to increase seniors’ overall quality of life by improving what they eat and addressing their unique nutritional needs. The company offers meals that adhere to different diets and restrictions. Examples of the specialty diets Silver Cuisine can accommodate include:
- •Heart healthy.
- •Diabetic.
- •Menopause.
- •Low sodium.
- •Low carb.
- •Gluten-free.
- •Dairy-free.
- •Vegetarian.
All you do is place an order, and Silver Cuisine plans your meals, shops, and delivers frozen home-cooked meals to your home with your health in mind. Then, you heat and enjoy.
Silver Cuisine charges a one-time fee for your order, plus shipping. Shipping costs are usually under $20.00. Although not a subscription service, you can discuss an arrangement with a customer service representative if you want to set up an automatic weekly delivery. There is no minimum number of meals per order. You select and pay for what you like.
You must be at least 50 years old to qualify for Silver Cuisine’s service. Since this is a paid service, there is no application to decide eligibility. Simply sign up for the service online.
Magic Kitchen meal delivery for seniors
Magic Kitchen is a food delivery service that offers meal plan programs, individual meals, and a la carte options. The company’s mission is to increase consumers’ access to nutritious meals. There is no contract or subscription, so you can order what you want when you want it. These options allow for some freedom in what you can have delivered to you. They also have meals that accommodate special diets, such as diabetic, dialysis-friendly, and dairy-free meals.
Magic Kitchen is a paid service. Meals range in cost from $10.00 to $15.00. You can buy an a la carte meal for under $10.00.
Some seniors may be eligible to receive meals from Magic Kitchen through their Medicare plan or their state’s Medicaid program. Check with your plan or local program to see if this benefit is available. Depending on your insurance policy, you might qualify for free meals. You can check if your insurance policy will pay for Magic Kitchen here.
Instacart grocery delivery with senior perks
Though this option delivers groceries and not fully prepared meals, Instacart is a popular grocery delivery service that has changed how many people stock their kitchens. You can shop for groceries from your local supermarket from your home computer, saving you time and trouble. Older adults can get their groceries, medication, and other household goods delivered, saving them from having to get themselves to the store and shop for their needed items, putting them at risk of contracting the flu, COVID-19, or another illness, among other inconveniences and safety issues.
The company is stepping up its offerings for seniors: The Instacart Senior Support Service is a program dedicated to helping older adults set up their accounts and place online orders. If you are uncomfortable using technology, this support service is dedicated to helping seniors get their orders delivered. Over 60,000 older adults have already started using this helpful new program.
Instacart allows seniors to use their supplemental health benefits to pay for the service. If you are enrolled in Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage), your coverage may contain supplemental benefits beyond medically necessary care. Some Medicare Part C plans cover health and wellness programs. Medicare Advantage beneficiaries with these plans can use their health benefits cards on Instacart’s website to pay for groceries and other essentials. Seniors can also now use SNAP benefits to pay for groceries through Instacart. This is a promising trend: Other delivery companies, like Uber Eats, are allowing customers on public assistance to use their benefits to cover the cost of food.
There is no better feeling than having everything you need to make a delicious meal or having one show up at your door. The convenience of meal delivery services can benefit older adults who cannot leave their homes, no longer drive, have mobility limitations, or struggle to prepare meals independently. When choosing the right meal delivery service, they can remain in their homes and maintain independence while staying healthy and happy.
