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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
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!
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.
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.
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.
I actually spend less b/c I am not impulse shopping at all. Just the stuff I need.
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.
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.
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