Grocery and Meal Service Delivery Options for Aging Adults
The days of walking aisles, loading groceries onto a conveyor belt, and loading them into your car are in the past. With technology, time-consuming activities like grocery shopping and preparing and eating a healthy meal are in the past.
It’s easy to order your groceries or meals online or on your mobile device. By following a few simple steps, getting your meals can be accomplished with just a few clicks. You can get everything you need by ordering delivery meals without ever leaving your kitchen. Even better, Sun Health At Home offers assistance in selecting meals that are healthful and suitable for your lifestyle.
Benefits of meal and grocery delivery services
- Saves time
- Convenient and hassle-free
- Proportions can be controlled depending on which service you use
- It can help you try new foods
- Addresses nutritional needs
- It makes decision-making easier
Learn some of the most common ways you can get meals delivered right to your door without the hassle of driving to the grocery store.
Ordering groceries onlineÂ
Entering a zip code, selecting a market in your neighborhood, and choosing your groceries are all simple steps in online ordering. The local grocery store or service selected will hand-pick your groceries and deliver them straight to your door.
How it works
Choose one of the grocery delivery apps of your choice. These are easily searchable by using the App Store located on the home screen of your smart phone. After selecting and downloading an app, chose the products you would like to order and add your credit card information. If available, you can even choose same-day delivery!
For grocery ordering, you can use companies including:
- Instacart
- Amazon Fresh
- Grocery store apps – Many local grocery stores have their own, easy-to-use apps that offer delivery. Options include Frys, Safeway, and Walmart+. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can choose in-store pick up. In which you can order your groceries online, drive to your chosen store, and have a clerk load them into your car.
Meal kits that require prepÂ
You can also use a service to deliver fresh ingredients plus a recipe to your door. These chef-created recipes come with all the ingredients you need to cook a healthy, nutritious meal and an instruction card showing step-by-step directions on how to prepare the meal.
Most meals take under 40 minutes to make which is great for someone that doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Ready to cook meals are convenient and are also a fun way to try new (and tested!) recipes. They often accommodate selected dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. Meal kits are a great way to learn new recipes and try new cuisines!
How it works
After selecting your weekly menu and recipes, you’ll choose the delivery day that works best for you. Your box will be efficiently delivered to your door on that same day each week. You’ll get an email the day before delivery informing you that your dinners are en route.
You can use companies including:
- Hello Fresh
- Blue Apron
- Home Fresh
Prepared food deliveryÂ
These delivery services allow you to order food prepared by local restaurants and chains. If you are looking for a quick meal, then a prepared delivery service is the way to go.
According to a study by Gloria Food, 86% of people in the United Stated have ordered food at least once a month through a delivery service.
How it works
- Open the app, look over the restaurant’s chosen menu, add what you want to the cart, and place an order.
- Through the app, you can monitor the status of your order.
- Once your order is completed, a delivery driver associated with the company will pick up your food from the location and deliver your food to you. You will receive a text message when the food is at your door.
For quick and ready-to-eat food, use companies including:
- Uber Eats
- Door Dash
- Grubhub
- Meals of Joy (A Sun Health At Home meal delivery partner)
Online-only Grocery Stores
Markets in this category are online-only. These food markets own their network of delivery vans and have fulfillment centers where the food is located. There is not a physical location. In addition, online markets focus on fast delivery and cost-saving pricing.
How it works
While some online stores are free to get started, some require you to buy a membership. Once you sign up, you are ready to begin online shopping!
You can use companies including:
- Imperfect Foods
- Thrive
Sun Health At Home options
Sun Health At Home members have access to all three Sun Health Community locations and offer a wide selection of luxurious amenities and services. Grandview Terrace, La Loma Village, and The Colonnade feature casual dining, formal dining, and takeout options.
Members have the option of choosing from a variety of dining experiences for every meal, whether it be fine dining or quick and casual. Gluten-free options, and low-sodium and low-sugar menu items help accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences.
When assistance is needed, members can receive help with Sun Health At Home, including meal preparation, transportation to the grocery store, and more.
To learn more about Sun Health At Home, visit SunHealthAtHome.org or call (623) 227-4663 (West Valley) or (480) 336-4663 (Phoenix or Scottsdale).
