Cooking three meals a day can be quite a chore, but finding the right meal delivery service can seem equally challenging with all the choices out there. Using a food delivery service can drastically improve the quality of life of seniors who live at home and need to conceive, plan, and prepare meals. How do you choose which service suits you or your senior loved one? Here, we break down key factors and what to look for in a food delivery service so you can pick the service that best suits your needs.
A major benefit of using food delivery services is that it helps preserve older adults’ independence. Getting to the supermarket might be harder than it used to be, or a medical condition may prevent them from cooking their meals. If older adults don’t maintain proper nutrition, they can face many health problems. Using a meal or food delivery service as a tool to get nutritious, delicious meals can make a big difference in the life of an independent senior.
Some services deliver prepared meals that are ready to heat and eat. Others send you ingredients to cook the meals you’ve selected. Regardless of the path you choose, here are the major factors to consider when selecting the right food delivery service.
Find out whether the service delivers ingredients or prepared meals
Part of choosing a food delivery service depends on your ability and desire to prepare the meals. Some people choose a delivery service because they don’t want the hassle of meal planning and grocery shopping. For those individuals, services that deliver ingredients customers use to prepare meals at home are great options. Other people don’t have an interest in cooking or find it difficult. For them, delivery services that send fully prepared meals, whether refrigerated or frozen, will be a better fit.
If you happen to hire a home care agency to schedule a caregiver to cook your meals, you may not need to worry about whether the food arrives prepared or not. If the delivery service fits your budget and dietary needs, having fresh ingredients arrive on your doorstep might appeal to you. These services often provide the exact amount of the ingredients the recipes need, which can cut down on food waste. Consider your preferences and abilities when you choose a service. Make sure you clarify that the service delivers food in the form you want.
Determine if the service is local or available in your area
Using a local food delivery service can save you some money on the cost of shipping or delivery. Many companies ship their products across the country, but they have one headquarters where the business is run. Suppose you find a great food delivery service based in Sacramento, but you live in Albany. You could be charged more money for shipping than a customer who lives in Sacramento. Paying close attention to where companies are located can protect your budget.
Check to ensure the service is available in your area. Many services deliver to just about anywhere in the contiguous 48 states. If you live in a rural area, Alaska, or Hawaii, you’ll want to check if the service you’re interested in can deliver to your home.
Find out how often you can get deliveries
Some delivery services give you options of how often you want to receive your food, usually weekly or biweekly. You may also have options to receive meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Think about which meals you’ll want and the number of meals you’ll want per day and week, and compare that to the company’s mealtime options and delivery frequency.
If you follow a special diet, see if the service caters to it
Treating chronic illnesses is a large part of life as people age. If your doctor or nutritionist has mentioned a specific diet to follow or metric to track, consider their advice when choosing a service that’s right for you. Many services offer meals that adhere to certain diets, such as low-sodium, heart-healthy, or low-sugar diets.
As you research food delivery services, note the foods and meals they offer. Some companies allow you to choose meal plans based on dietary restrictions, like low-sodium foods, vegetarian options, gluten-free recipes, and more. Look at the service’s website to determine if they provide nutritional information for the specific meals. If you can’t readily find this information, you should be able to contact the company to ask for it.
Though you’re looking for convenience in a delivery service, you’re also calling upon a service to deliver healthy, nutritious meals to your door. Don’t settle for foods that negate your nutritional needs or go against your health care provider’s advice. With the many choices of food delivery services out there, you’re bound to find one that meets your dietary needs.
Determine the cost per meal
Look closely at how much the food delivery service costs. Choosing a program that is affordable and within your budget will help you continue using the service in the long run. Budgets and routines are important to your quality of life as an older person. Checking the price on the front end can help you decide if you can afford the service and help you avoid going over your budget.
When you look at the cost of each delivery or meal, consider the number of meals and the frequency of your deliveries. Determine the average cost per meal to see which service will give you the most value or the lowest cost if budget is a concern.
Meal and food delivery services can be an excellent way for seniors to fuel their bodies and maintain good health properly. With the many options today, you’re sure to find a company that delivers the food you want for a price that fits your budget.
