Today marks the start of Nutrition and Hydration Week; a week to highlight and promote the importance of eating and drinking well. Are you an older person struggling with shopping, making meals, finding it all too much? Do you know someone who could use some help?
Help with meals & shopping
If you are finding it harder to cook for yourself lately and think you need some help, have you considered using a meal service? National and local organisations can provide meals delivered to your door at a charge.
You can find suppliers across Essex that can deliver hot meals to your home. Essex County Council recommends using a supplier approved by their Trading Standards team. Meals are available to people with:
- special diets, food allergies and intolerances
- specific medical needs
- cultural and religious requirements
Suppliers will tell you how they can meet your needs. Find a local supplier on the Buy With Confidence website.
Community transport schemes in Essex
If you need help getting out and about, there are local transport services, such as dial-a-ride and group travel, to help you get your shopping done.
Shopmobility is a scheme offered in most areas of Essex. It is designed to help people with limited mobility to access the shops and facilities. They have a range of manual wheelchairs and electric scooters to hire for part or all of the day. Shopmobility is free, but you do need to apply for membership to access the scheme. Check with your County Council or Community 360 (Colchester residents) for more information.
Help from your supermarket or local shop
Many of the big supermarkets will help you shop if you have any difficulties. They can help by:
- pushing you around the supermarket if you are using a wheelchair
- collecting your shopping for you
You can order shopping online from supermarkets who have a home delivery service or a click and collect service. Some local shops will deliver food to your home for a small charge – contact directly to find out more.
Help at home
Age UK have a Home Help service supporting older people who want to stay in their home but need a bit of help around the house. This can include shopping as they can;
- Collect your weekly shop from your preferred supermarket
- Food preparation service, support you to cook in your own home and help you to prepare light meals
- Collect your prescriptions
- Cleaning
These types of services can help you to remain independent and enable you to stay in your own home longer and can offer regular companionship. There is a one-off registration fee and an hourly charge for all services. In addition, mileage is payable when a Home Help worker uses a vehicle for shopping. For more information, visit Age UK.
Community Agents Essex is another organisation that can help you maintain independence. They can put you in touch with local services and help you to find practical solutions to daily living and local activities such as a Royal Voluntary Service lunch club.
If you would like to discover more information about what’s going on in your area, you can contact us for advice and support. Call us on 0300 500 1895, drop us a text on 07712 395 398, email [email protected] or message us on social media.
Sam
Information & Signposting Officer