Debra Jager Home Instead Senior Care

I went to visit my grandmother the other week and was horrified when I went to get milk out and there was no food in the fridge. She is looking thin and said she was due to do the shopping, but she has recently has had to give driving away.

Nutrition is important for all of us to keep good health, but is especially important for older people. Often shopping is difficult and older people often find their appetite may be reduced. There are several things you can do to help your grandmother however.

Your grandmother needs to be assessed for Total Mobility Vouchers which allows her half price taxis – contact Age Concern for assistance with this. Alternatively, she could use caregivers who can help her with transport, shopping and carrying the bags into the house and putting shopping away. Depending on where your grandmother lives, she or someone with a computer can shop online for her.

It is also a good idea to have some meals delivered as sometimes people find it hard to motivate themselves to cook a proper meal for one. There are a number of companies which deliver chilled or frozen complete meals or rest homes in the area often provide a meals on wheels service.

Talk to the family and ask them to invite your grandmother over or visit with a meal as often as you can. Or if you are too far away, a caregiver can cook her a meal and sit and eat while discussing current affairs or TV shows. It is easier to eat when you have someone to share the occasion with.