How To Make Sure Your Senior Parent Always Has Enough Food

If your senior parent is living alone, it’s important to make sure that they always have access to healthy food. Malnutrition is a common health problem for seniors who are living alone. Sometimes, seniors don’t eat enough because they don’t have a great appetite. In other cases, they may forget when it’s time to eat. But sometimes the reason why seniors don’t eat enough is that they don’t have any food in the house and they are not able to go to the store. A great way to make sure that your mom or dad always has healthy food available is to get senior home care services.

Home Care Madera CA - How To Make Sure Your Senior Parent Always Has Enough Food

Home Care Madera CA – How To Make Sure Your Senior Parent Always Has Enough Food

If your mom or dad doesn’t drive anymore, they may run out of food between the times when you can take them shopping. They may not want to say anything to you because they don’t want to inconvenience you. Or, they may have a hard time opening cans and packages or cooking the food that is in the house.

A home care provider can cook healthy meals for your mom or dad, package up snacks they can grab when they’re hungry between meals, and do the shopping so that your mom or dad always has access to fresh healthy food like leafy greens and fruit.

Some other things you can do to make sure that your mom or dad always has enough healthy food in the house are:

Create a Grocery Inventory and Stock Up on Essentials Once A Month

One of the best ways to ensure your senior parent has food is to make a grocery inventory list of their favorite and most-used items. Keep it simple and focus on essentials like bread, milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and canned goods.

Stock up on non-perishable foods like rice, pasta, and soups once a month so they always have something to eat, even if they can’t get to the store right away. Keeping extra frozen meals or easy-to-make foods in the freezer can also help when they don’t feel like cooking.

Set Up Grocery Delivery or Pickup Services

Many grocery stores now offer delivery or curbside pickup, which can be a great option for seniors who have trouble shopping on their own. You can help your parents order groceries online or through a store’s phone app. If they prefer, you can place the order for them and have the groceries delivered straight to their door. This ensures they always have fresh food without needing to leave home.

If they prefer to pick up their groceries at the store, a home care provider can drive them to the store or do the pickup for them.

Plan and Prepare Meals in Advance

Cooking can be tiring for seniors, especially if they have health issues or limited mobility. Preparing meals ahead of time can make things easier for them. You can cook and store meals in the fridge or freezer so they can simply reheat and eat. Portioning meals into easy-to-open containers helps them grab a quick, healthy meal without much effort. A home care provider can also prepare and freeze meals each week for your mom or dad.

Check the Kitchen Regularly for Expired or Low Food Supplies

It’s easy for seniors to forget to throw away expired food or notice when supplies are running low. If you visit your parent often, check their pantry, fridge, and freezer to make sure they have enough food. Look for spoiled or expired items and replace them with fresh options. Keeping an eye on their food supply helps prevent them from eating unsafe food or running out of important groceries.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Madera CA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Everlight Home Care today. Call us at 559-353-2847.

Private Duty Home Care in Fresno, Madera, Kern Counties, and surrounding communities. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Gina Kendall