Caring for our basic needs can become more difficult as we age. You’ve likely noticed that your parents struggle to cook their food. Whether it’s due to health issues like dementia or frequent hospital visits, the task of cooking has become overwhelming for them. The thought of them not having a proper meal can be distressing. This is where meal services can provide much-needed relief, ensuring your parents are well-fed without the stress of cooking. Thankfully, there are many senior meal delivery services.
These services provide home-delivered meals, offering a convenient solution to the challenge of cooking for elderly parents. You can use these services for temporary relief during a busy week or as a permanent solution to ensure your parents are well-fed without the hassle of cooking.
Senior Meal Services in Ohio
Ohio offers a wide range of home-delivery meal services, each with its own unique features and benefits. This variety allows you to find a service that best suits your parents’ needs and preferences, giving you the power to make an informed decision.
One of the most well-known home delivery meal services in the United States is Meals on Wheels America. Meals on Wheels delivers to almost every community in the nation. However, you must be eligible for their services. Your parents cannot pick out their meals; they are limited to the meals they are serving that day.
If Meals on Wheels does not work for you, the Ohio Department of Aging has a list of meal service providers across the state.
Meal-Providers-List-by-County-20200421Download
What Should I Consider When Picking a Private Meal Service?
Private meal services are great. Yet, picking the right one is a little more complicated than you may realize. Each service is different, so it is best to consider the following things:
Meal Services & Special Diets
Let’s say your loved one needs to follow a special diet. Not all services can accommodate things like food allergies, low-sodium diets, diabetes, and other special diets. So, make sure the service can accommodate all of their dietary needs.
Frozen vs. Fresh Meal Services
When picking between fresh and frozen meals, make sure whatever you choose matches what is right for your loved one.
Frozen meals must go into your loved one’s freezer. Make sure that they have enough freezer space for their minimum order requirements.
Fresh food does not last forever. The food’s shelf life should be long enough that it will not go to waste.
Preparing The Meal
The meal should be easy for your parents to prepare. Your parents should be able to understand and easily follow the instructions for preparing their food.
Payments for Meal Services
Many meal services are privately paid for, but some may participate in a Medicaid waiver program. Check to see if your parents’ insurance covers meals. They may need these meals for a special diet.
Shipping Fees
Meal delivery services cost money. Check if there are any shipping or delivery fees. Are you paying a flat rate or for each meal? Shipping can get expensive, but placing larger orders can help you save money.
Minimum Orders
Some services require you to place bulk orders. For this meal, you may have to place five, ten, fifteen, or twenty meals at a time. Make sure your parents have enough space for all of the meals.
Weight of the Packages
We have all tried to lift something, but it was too heavy for us. The same thing can happen with large meal deliveries. So, consider what your parents can lift when picking the service.
Scheduling the Meal Service
As you pick a meal service, see if you can choose the dates and times the food is delivered. It can be helpful if the deliveries are on a schedule so your parents know when their meals are coming. However, if your parents are out, see how that may impact the delivery.
Try A Few Services
If you are looking for a long-term solution, it is wise to try a few meal services. You can start by ordering the food for yourself. This way, you can experience the ordering process, the quality of the food, and the delivery service from each vendor, giving you a better understanding of what to expect for your parents.
Trying the food will give you a sense of the process and quality of the meals from each vendor.
We understand that meal services can get expensive. Try looking for discounts. Many meal services offer coupons for 10–20% off. Some may also have loyalty programs or bulk order discounts. Trust us, the savings add up!
Need help deciding?
We understand if you are worried about your parents’ meals. Food is a basic health need. It is also how many give and receive love. At Careplan Care Managers, we specialize in helping families navigate the complexities of elder care, including meal services. Let us help. Contact us so you do not have to do this alone.
