Hello all, I just joined this forum seeking additional help for my 81 year old mom. She has Medicaid and gets transportation only to doctor's appointments.
Is there any help for her to go grocery shopping please? Thanks
Hey guys, so sorry for the very late response. I never got the email notifs from this board that anyone had posted so only now seeing all of these response, thank you all!
Update is mom should be able to qualify for Access-A-Ride since she has Medicaid, should know soon but will make a note of all options posted here by everyone.
mikehend: Perhaps you can seek transportation for your mother through her town's Council on Aging. My mother, a legally blind woman choosing to live alone was able to use her town's transportation vans for weekly grocery shopping, medical appointments and retail therapy.
It would be great if an 81yo could keep doing her own shopping in person, imo... assuming they want to. Walking and interacting is good for people with extra downtime and who are heading into commonly-occurring cognitive decline.
Others have pointed to the Department of Aging's local branches and outreach. I agree; that's where you need to inquire. I hope there is an option there.
If she needs more help than just transportation, that's another issue. But if it's only about transportation, there very well could be local services to bridge the gap here.
Being on Medicaid implies, to me, that there isn't money for paid transportation services. Thankfully, some really great Dept of Aging resources don't cost anything, and transportation could be offered in their area. It's worth looking into.
Hi. I don't have an option to take your mom shopping, but do you have JFS (Jewish Family Services) in your area? Or, the Office on Aging and Disability? I live in NJ and I have a senior shopper that goes grocery shopping for me every two weeks. I give her a list over the phone and she shops and brings the groceries to my home. Best of luck to you and your mom.
Have got to tell you JFS is absolutely amazeballs throughout the US. My mom participated in JFS programs in Texas and all were so wonderful. When Covid hit, they were one of the first to figure out how to pretty seamlessly adapt to Covid complaint food delivery. All those years of keeping kosher kitchens paid off!
Walmart has a grocery delivery service. The app is very easy to use. I believe that you have to get their store card for the grocery purchase if you’re having it delivered. They claim that their delivery is free. I have an account already set up for when my Mother needs it. I have used Walmarts grocery pick up service on occasions-when I broke my toe or when my back injury flare’s up. Most of them will not accept a tip. I will usually put a little something in their apron pocket. Giant has delivery also, but have become expensive with their delivery fee. There is also meals on wheels, Mom’s Meals, etc. it all depends on where you live. I would recommend calling your local Social Services or Council on Aging. They should be able to provide you with a list of all available resources. All the best!
Do you have a local senior center? Ours provides transportation once a week to grocery stores. In ny there is a service called ride connect. There is no charge to call RideConnect or to access our website www.rideconnectwestchester.org. Volunteer services are free of charge,
I am 89 years old I use Instacart, they deliver and bring the food into the house. I always tip them for bringing the food into the house. If she can't use a computer, you can order the food and send it to her, One of my granddaughters, taught me how to use Lyft. I had downloaded the App, but was afraid to use it. Of course if you have bus service use it.
As for help with household things, I Private Pay through a company. I use a company for help because they have been background checked, and are covered by Workman's comp. If she is short of funds, Her local Office on Ageing may help. IHSS (In Home Support Services) can help you if you do not have funds.
Hi Mike! I used to live in Jamaica years ago so I sort of know where you are coming from. Still have a few friends in the area near Baisley Park Although I lived near Van Wyck Exp. One of them is my age and she complains about the lack of transportation in the area (she doesn't drive) for someone of our age. Depending on the area, you can find lots of small (and sometimes expensive) specialty or cultural shops but as I remember it, there were few large shops like Shoprite or Aldi's for groceries although there might be something in the Rochdale Center (also close to Baisely Park); not sure if they would deliver .There used to be a grocery store on Rockaway Blvd near the expressway but it is gone now. We used to go all the way out to Green Acres for grocery shopping but that required a car. If you or your Mom are affiliated with a nearby religious organization you could check to see if they will help with shopping trips. You can also reach out to the NYC Dept on Aging (one office covers the entire city) at 212-244-6469 and see what resources can offer. I just used Goggle earth to "fly" over Jamaica. Unfortunately, I didn't see much in terms of close grocery stores. I will be talking with my friends this week and if they have any ideas, I will get back to you. Meanwhile, I wish you peace and health
There are many, many options on the internet today. There’s DoorDash, Instacart, etc. The supermarkets also do home delivery of groceries. You just need to go to the App Store and download their app and order your groceries and they will deliver them for you. The only thing about these delivery services is that you have to tip the person who is doing the shopping and delivery for you. I don’t mind tipping them as they are a big help to me, but some people do not like the idea of tipping. This is how I do my grocery shopping and it’s convenient for me when I’m too lazy to go to the supermarket.
Make life easy for everyone and have everything delivered. She can give you her "wish list" weekly and you can order and deliver.
It's too much when they are up there in age dragging them around the grocery store. Whatever you can have delivered, delivery. For Christmas you could buy and Amazon Prime membership.
I've been ordering online 2-1/2 yrs and it sucks, unless you love squinting and more screen time. But convenient. Nobody has mentioned the Villages concept. It's a nationwide network with local chapters which seniors set up themselves with the organization's guidelines. It's not spontaneous as you make a reservation. Some food banks actually deliver. Senior Connection, a County agency, will drive you on wkends by appt.
Care.com is not a free service, in fact I have thought of using them many times, but from what I hear and read on the BBB site, they never stop charging you and there's no contact number to reach them.
Some things depend on exactly where you are. When ? we finally get settled in Alice Springs, there will (now, since Covid) be a stream of European student vacation backpackers to call on for all types of help. They want casaul work on their terms. I am thinking of the common local arrangement for house cleaning, by calling on a pair of backpackers looking for work in the local hostels (young women are often less in demand because many jobs need muscle). If I time it right for before, during and after the backpacker time (which is not the very very hot weather), it will work better than using a local cleaning service. I’m not lazy, but cleaning is hard for my back problem. Full time jobs locally are fully filled, but occasional work that is fairly paid is not so easy for transients to find.
That might work for USA people near a college – just don’t expect service at exam time. If there is a student employment service, you may be able to solve 75% of your problem in term time, and manage OK the rest of the time. That would be doing everyone a favor!
We have young students around here who work at McDonalds on Thursday and Friday nights, but aren’t offered work on Monday and Tuesday after school. One of my friend’s 18 year old Uni student son is working at the local slaughter yards (not the most attractive work) because he will work the needed shifts.
Look at the employment need, not just what you want!
During the Pandemic, I hired a student to shop for me and paid him a modest hourly rate. If this is not financially feasible, how about trying to contact a university to see if a student would volunteer to do it. Maybe a social work or gerontology student would volunteer. Or obviously your house of worship might be able to provide a volunteer. Also, in general, you should contact your Area Agency on Aging to find out what's available. Last thought, many senior centers have buses that take members shopping. For awhile I used mine, and they went to the largest local supermarket once a week, and to Target and Walmarts every other week.
Since my 100 year old husband and I are not on Medicaid, we pay to have a male "senior helper" drive us for shopping, doctor appointments, etc. and do things we cannot do around he house. We pay by the hour for his services, and consider it a much better deal than to have to go to assisted living.
Our Council on Aging has shuttle buses that run to and from to the grocery, pharmacy and doctor appointments. Call the Council on Aging in your mom’s area to get the schedule.
You can also set up a Shipt or Instacart account for her. Or she can have groceries delivered from other stores.
Amazon sells everything that she could possibly need and they deliver. Prime accounts have fast delivery and free shipping.
I agree Wednesday mornings are senior mornings at a local Wal Mart. Some arrive in vans from a NH. I have started to have some groceries delivered. Kroger has been great they keep you updated on where their van is and their E.T.A. While I dont use them for everything it does help. In addition to caring for my mother I have a close cousin who is recovering from a stroke. Luckily I am not her caregiver but the delivery service does allow me to visit her.
Mike, You have hit on a serious problem for all seniors. When my brother wanted to attempt to stay home in his early years of his diagnosis, within a small and helpful community, he didn't want to depend on neighbors. Not computer literate he could not avail himself of home shopper and delivery help.
We called Visiting Angels and thought long and hard about them but it was a minimum of three days a week four hours a day and at 30.00 an hour. He could still handle his own light gardening and housekeeping, but couldn't drive anymore, and to hire someone who would sit for most of the time didn't make sense. Moreover, to have someone who could use their car or his car required advance notice so they could vet their driver.
This was one of the main reasons my brother went into ALF care. Just not any help available. If you have a NextDoor you might look there for driving help. If anyone can maneuver computer and home delivery that's an option. My bro could live on his own chili and beans and I could amazon him stuff (I lived at the other end of Cali). Still...............
Check with any aid and advice from Medicaid workers who are currently helping with Mom's transit to appointments. Also consider asking at Senior centers. Meals on wheels. Etc.
Essentially it is you and your computer trying to line up things, and eventually this downward path is leading to needs for placement. I sure wish you the best of luck. If you find a way, a resource, your posting updates to us here is always a help as to just how you did it.
Yes, transportation can be a serious and lifestyle-limiting issue for us. Many older adults may try to "self-select" and reduce (or eliminate) driving, but we still need a way to get from here to there. I drive locally during the day but try to avoid freeways. Public transport often isn't an option for us due to availability, logistics and distance. Although the local senior center offers some low-cost transport services, there are income guidelines.
During COVID I signed up for curbside pickup at the grocery store. I used it for most of 2020. The signup was pretty simple (I'm not much of a techie). They also deliver; there's a fee but it's reasonable. I recently discovered that our HMO plan includes 6 free rides per year for each of us to medical/dental appointments which is really nice to have.
Order online from Walmart, Amazon or local grocery store. Delivery is often the same day. Many elderly and other people do this now.
If she cannot figure out using her computer or phone for this, she can make a weekly list and you can order online for her. Have it delivered to her house, not yours.
Online ordering is safer for our health (no exposure to disease or wacko shooters), saves time, and transportation is not needed. Instore shopping is so yesterday.
Update is mom should be able to qualify for Access-A-Ride since she has Medicaid, should know soon but will make a note of all options posted here by everyone.
So God bless you all and Happy Holidays!
Others have pointed to the Department of Aging's local branches and outreach. I agree; that's where you need to inquire. I hope there is an option there.
If she needs more help than just transportation, that's another issue. But if it's only about transportation, there very well could be local services to bridge the gap here.
Being on Medicaid implies, to me, that there isn't money for paid transportation services. Thankfully, some really great Dept of Aging resources don't cost anything, and transportation could be offered in their area. It's worth looking into.
As for help with household things, I Private Pay through a company. I use a company for help because they have been background checked, and are covered by Workman's comp. If she is short of funds, Her local Office on Ageing may help. IHSS (In Home Support Services) can help you if you do not have funds.
If I can be of help please private message me.
Meanwhile, I wish you peace and health
Make life easy for everyone and have everything delivered. She can give you her "wish list" weekly and you can order and deliver.
It's too much when they are up there in age dragging them around the grocery store. Whatever you can have delivered, delivery. For Christmas you could buy and Amazon Prime membership.
Everything nowadays is door-to-door.
That might work for USA people near a college – just don’t expect service at exam time. If there is a student employment service, you may be able to solve 75% of your problem in term time, and manage OK the rest of the time. That would be doing everyone a favor!
We have young students around here who work at McDonalds on Thursday and Friday nights, but aren’t offered work on Monday and Tuesday after school. One of my friend’s 18 year old Uni student son is working at the local slaughter yards (not the most attractive work) because he will work the needed shifts.
Look at the employment need, not just what you want!
How are you enjoying your new home?
Since my 100 year old husband and I are not on Medicaid, we pay to have a male "senior helper" drive us for shopping, doctor appointments, etc. and do things we cannot do around he house. We pay by the hour for his services, and consider it a much better deal than to have to go to assisted living.
You can also set up a Shipt or Instacart account for her. Or she can have groceries delivered from other stores.
Amazon sells everything that she could possibly need and they deliver. Prime accounts have fast delivery and free shipping.
I actually spend less b/c I am not impulse shopping at all. Just the stuff I need.
You have hit on a serious problem for all seniors.
When my brother wanted to attempt to stay home in his early years of his diagnosis, within a small and helpful community, he didn't want to depend on neighbors. Not computer literate he could not avail himself of home shopper and delivery help.
We called Visiting Angels and thought long and hard about them but it was a minimum of three days a week four hours a day and at 30.00 an hour. He could still handle his own light gardening and housekeeping, but couldn't drive anymore, and to hire someone who would sit for most of the time didn't make sense.
Moreover, to have someone who could use their car or his car required advance notice so they could vet their driver.
This was one of the main reasons my brother went into ALF care.
Just not any help available.
If you have a NextDoor you might look there for driving help. If anyone can maneuver computer and home delivery that's an option. My bro could live on his own chili and beans and I could amazon him stuff (I lived at the other end of Cali). Still...............
Check with any aid and advice from Medicaid workers who are currently helping with Mom's transit to appointments.
Also consider asking at Senior centers. Meals on wheels. Etc.
Essentially it is you and your computer trying to line up things, and eventually this downward path is leading to needs for placement. I sure wish you the best of luck. If you find a way, a resource, your posting updates to us here is always a help as to just how you did it.
During COVID I signed up for curbside pickup at the grocery store. I used it for most of 2020. The signup was pretty simple (I'm not much of a techie). They also deliver; there's a fee but it's reasonable. I recently discovered that our HMO plan includes 6 free rides per year for each of us to medical/dental appointments which is really nice to have.
NextDoor is a good idea.
If she cannot figure out using her computer or phone for this, she can make a weekly list and you can order online for her. Have it delivered to her house, not yours.
Online ordering is safer for our health (no exposure to disease or wacko shooters), saves time, and transportation is not needed. Instore shopping is so yesterday.
That being said, Walmart does offer Walmart+ which saves on delivery costs.