If you’re a long-distance family caregiver to an aging parent, you may worry about their well-being. Because you cannot see them every day, you might wonder if they are staying safe and healthy or if they are spending too much time alone. One of the things that many seniors struggle with as they get older is preparing meals for themselves. Sometimes they have difficulty with their hands because of arthritis. At other times, they may simply not feel like preparing a meal because they don’t want to eat alone.
If your parent struggles with preparing meals for any reason, using a home meal deliver service can make a big difference in meeting their nutrition needs and in improving their quality of life. In fact, Meals on Wheels, a well-known nationwide community run meal delivery program, reports the following statistics:
#1 Home Delivered Meals Help Keep Seniors Out of Nursing Homes
Brown University researchers conducted a study and discovered that there is a link between seniors being able to stay at home and delivered meals. They found that in states where less money was spent on meal delivery programs, nursing homes had a higher rate of “low-care” residents who could have been cared for in a community setting because they did not require round-the-clock care. These people could have stayed in their homes with help from senior care providers or in assisted living situations.
#2 Meal Delivery People Keep an Eye on Clients
When meals are delivered to seniors, the delivery people are able to alert someone if there is a problem. If the senior does not answer the door, the program can call emergency contacts to find out if the senior is simply away from home or if more action is needed. In the event that a senior has fallen, they may be the person to discover the fall and be able to get help.
#3 Delivery People Reduce Loneliness
In situations where a senior spends much of their day alone, a meal delivery person might be the only person they see all day. Many seniors enjoy even these brief visits and face-to-face contact with a friendly person.
#4 Meal Deliveries Save Money
Generally, the meals delivered to a senior’s home are inexpensive. They may even be free if the senior cannot afford to pay for them. In addition to saving money on food, seniors who are able to stay at home independently or with help from senior care providers save money for everyone. The cost of living in a nursing home is much higher than the cost of keeping a senior at home.
#5 Meal Deliveries Simplify Senior Lives
Having meals delivered reduces the need for grocery shopping and cooking, which can make life easier for the senior, family caregivers, and senior care providers. Trips to the grocery store on behalf of the senior may be reduced. The senior also has one less meal to prepare during the day. If senior care providers or family caregivers are responsible for meal preparation, meal deliveries can reduce their responsibilities as well, giving them more time to focus on other things.
If you or an aging family member are considering senior care in Bergen County, please contact the caring staff at A Joy Home Care. (201) 941-4900
Sources
http://www.nextavenue.org/benefits-home-delivered-meals-older-adults/
https://news.brown.edu/articles/2015/03/meals
https://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/15/study-more-to-meal-delivery-than-food/
http://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/theissue/problemandsolution
If your parent struggles with preparing meals for any reason, using a home meal deliver service can make a big difference in meeting their nutrition needs and in improving their quality of life. In fact, Meals on Wheels, a well-known nationwide community run meal delivery program, reports the following statistics:
- 83% of clients say that having meals delivered improves their health.
- 92% say Meals on Wheels helps them stay in their homes.
- 87% report that having a meal delivered makes them feel safer and more secure.
#1 Home Delivered Meals Help Keep Seniors Out of Nursing Homes
Brown University researchers conducted a study and discovered that there is a link between seniors being able to stay at home and delivered meals. They found that in states where less money was spent on meal delivery programs, nursing homes had a higher rate of “low-care” residents who could have been cared for in a community setting because they did not require round-the-clock care. These people could have stayed in their homes with help from senior care providers or in assisted living situations.
#2 Meal Delivery People Keep an Eye on Clients
When meals are delivered to seniors, the delivery people are able to alert someone if there is a problem. If the senior does not answer the door, the program can call emergency contacts to find out if the senior is simply away from home or if more action is needed. In the event that a senior has fallen, they may be the person to discover the fall and be able to get help.
#3 Delivery People Reduce Loneliness
In situations where a senior spends much of their day alone, a meal delivery person might be the only person they see all day. Many seniors enjoy even these brief visits and face-to-face contact with a friendly person.
#4 Meal Deliveries Save Money
Generally, the meals delivered to a senior’s home are inexpensive. They may even be free if the senior cannot afford to pay for them. In addition to saving money on food, seniors who are able to stay at home independently or with help from senior care providers save money for everyone. The cost of living in a nursing home is much higher than the cost of keeping a senior at home.
#5 Meal Deliveries Simplify Senior Lives
Having meals delivered reduces the need for grocery shopping and cooking, which can make life easier for the senior, family caregivers, and senior care providers. Trips to the grocery store on behalf of the senior may be reduced. The senior also has one less meal to prepare during the day. If senior care providers or family caregivers are responsible for meal preparation, meal deliveries can reduce their responsibilities as well, giving them more time to focus on other things.
If you or an aging family member are considering senior care in Bergen County, please contact the caring staff at A Joy Home Care. (201) 941-4900
Sources
http://www.nextavenue.org/benefits-home-delivered-meals-older-adults/
https://news.brown.edu/articles/2015/03/meals
https://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/15/study-more-to-meal-delivery-than-food/
http://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/theissue/problemandsolution