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As we get older, some daily tasks can become more challenging. Shopping assistance for elderly people aims to overcome these difficulties when it comes to grocery shopping. It can include all shopping needs, from assistance with transport to and from the grocery store to finding specific products and carrying shopping bags.
If your loved one needs care and support at home, a Home Carer can provide help with everyday tasks while supporting them to remain independent. They can support with maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, whilst ensuring your loved one remains in control of routines and stays in familiar surroundings.
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Why is elderly shopping assistance important?
According to Age UK, 19% of people aged 80-84 say they struggle with shopping for groceries. This increases to 60% for those over 90.1
Older adults may have difficulty getting to the shops, especially if they live in rural areas and no longer drive or have a car. Difficulties with mobility may prevent them from being able to use public transport safely. Items in stores can also be stacked on high or low shelves, which may be inaccessible to many elderly people, especially those using a walking stick or wheelchair. Carrying heavy shopping essentials may also be unmanageable, and shopping online may not be possible if they don’t have a computer or smartphone, or they struggle with technology.
Without help, seniors who struggle with going to the supermarket may begin skipping meals or eating fast food which isn’t nutritious. Ultimately, this can result in poor health.
At any age, eating well is vitally important for good health. Therefore, being able to shop for food and other essentials is an important part of continuing to live independently at home. For some people, help with shopping for the elderly is their only option.
Types of elderly shopping assistance
There are different types of support services available to those who live alone or need additional support with shopping.
Some local authorities, and most Home Care providers, offer an escorted senior shopping service to help with food shopping for the elderly. This is where someone provides a one to one service to escort an elderly person while they shop in store. They can assist with transport to and from the store, as well as help getting around the store and selecting items.
This service is suitable for older individuals who are mobile enough to go out but need extra help with reliable transportation to, from and around stores. Alongside help with shopping, older people – especially those who live alone – have an opportunity to get out and about and interact with others.
Some supermarkets have specialised services to allow elderly and vulnerable people to shop peacefully. For example, all Tesco stores now implement a ‘quiet hour’ policy every Wednesday and Saturday morning from 9-10am. They turn off music, reduce loud checkout noises, and dim lighting during this hour so customers can shop in a calm environment.2
Alternatively, the supermarket chain Morrisons has set up a dedicated telesales service aimed at helping to ensure vulnerable and elderly people can get the groceries they need. The service allows customers to choose from a list of essential items and arrange delivery of their order to their doorstep.3
Additionally, if help is needed with moving around the supermarket, some have wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and trolleys that can be used with a wheelchair. You’ll need to check your local store to find out if they have these options available.
Some older people may be housebound and unable to go out to get their own shopping. Home delivery services allow anyone to have items delivered straight to their door. Most supermarkets now have an online grocery shopping service where you can create a shopping list before browsing and purchasing items. You’re then able to schedule the delivery to your door at a suitable time.
When supermarket shopping online, quite often you’ll receive suggestions based on previous orders so you can quickly add regular items to your shop. If your elderly loved one has a condition that affects your memory, this could help with buying regular items and minimise forgetting essentials. There’s also the opportunity to do an immediate stock check at home, which is something you can’t do if you’re physically in a store.
Unlike in store shopping, ordering groceries online can often come with a delivery fee. However, this can usually be avoided by ordering enough to meet the minimum amount to qualify for free delivery.
Another opportunity to save money is the online deals that are often advertised. Most supermarkets now provide a loyalty scheme where members can purchase items at a reduced price. It’s also possible to save money from shopping online due to fewer distractions and therefore skipping impulse purchases.
Other home delivery services, such as HelloFresh or Ocado, provide an easy way to cook meals at home. They allow you to choose a flexible subscription plan that matches your lifestyle. Fresh, pre-portioned ingredients are delivered straight to your door along with step by step recipe cards. Their flexible services allow you to choose which meals you like, skip a delivery, or cancel anytime. These home delivery options usually require the internet to manage your subscription, but a Home Carer would be able to help with this.
A Home Care provider can enable you or your elderly loved one to stay in the comfort of your own homes with care and support provided by a trained professional. They’ll focus on ensuring you live as independently as possible whilst delivering personalised care and support.
Having a Home Care Assistant is one of the most reliable ways to offer shopping assistance for seniors that doesn’t require using the internet. In fact, it could be as simple as providing reliable and safe transport to the store. It’s also an option that provides many other benefits, including companionship and Domestic Care.
Typically, help with shopping for the elderly would be only one of the many tasks that a Home Carer performs. They can also carry out other necessary duties such as putting the groceries away, preparing meals and other household tasks.
The biggest benefit of a professional carer is the personal service they provide in the comfort of home. Instead of ordering online, a senior can rely on their care provider to purchase items and brands that they prefer. Being able to count on a friendly face for elderly shopping assistance and other needs makes life easier for those who need extra help to remain independent.
Benefits of a Home Carer for elderly shopping assistance:
Online shopping has become a popular alternative since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, online retail stores constituted 26.5% of overall retail sales in the UK. This is more than double the amount from the previous decade.4
Internet shopping is an easy way to purchase items such as clothes and household goods and provides an abundance of choice! Items are then delivered directly to your door, usually within a few days. For those unwilling or unable to use the internet, a Home Carer is a valuable addition because they can help with online shopping.
A sunflower lanyard is available for anyone with a hidden disability, condition or impairment that’s not immediately obvious to others. It’s a way of voluntarily displaying that you have a hidden disability and might need additional support. They’re available for free at some supermarkets, or available to buy from the Hidden Disabilities website.
Visiting shops can be challenging, especially for those who are unable to easily access a store or find it difficult to navigate. For some, the shopping experience can lead to a sensory overload and be overwhelming.
Hidden Disabilities found that over 80% of people with a hidden disability agreed shops that recognise the sunflower lanyard are helping to make in store shopping more accessible for people with hidden disabilities. They also found that over 90% are more likely to visit a shop that recognises the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.5
Grocery shopping help for seniors
If your elderly loved one is finding shopping in store increasingly difficult, these simple tips can be an effective way to make the experience more manageable:
Finding free shopping assistance for the elderly
If your loved one needs help shopping for food, there’s help available from the following options:
Benefits of elderly shopping assistance
Companionship
Help with shopping for the elderly is extremely beneficial for those who require a helping hand with daily tasks and added social interaction. A Home Carer not only helps with shopping but also many other light housekeeping duties, as well as providing valuable companionship.
Peace of Mind
Grocery shopping help for seniors can provide a sense of security and peace of mind to families of elderly relatives, knowing their loved ones are being cared for by a professional. A Home Carer ensures safety during a shopping trip and allows them to remain independent at home.
Mobility Help
Shopping assistance enables those with mobility restrictions to have a helping hand with transport to and from stores. Items stored on high or low shelves will be accessible and a Home Carer is available to carry heavy shopping items and bags.
Health & Wellbeing
Along with great company, shopping assistance provides access to fresh and healthy food options which can improve overall health and wellbeing. A Home Carer not only helps with shopping but also with preparing nutritious meals to ensure seniors are eating well.
Alina Homecare has been extremely helpful in a very stressful time for my family. The level of care and dedication has been brilliant. The Team that looks after my Mum is fantastic. The office Team is always on-call and let you know if there are any problems. Nothing is too much for them. They also take my Mum out on social visits and take her shopping which is invaluable.”
Andy, Relative, Poole
About our shopping assistance for elderly people
At Alina Homecare, shopping assistance for elderly people comes as part of our Domestic Care service. Domestic Care is a form of Elderly Care that provides regular support with daily activities like shopping and other household tasks, such as changing bedsheets, laundry and keeping the home clean and tidy.
Shopping assistance also comes as part of our Companion Care service. This involves a Home Carer visiting your loved one at home to provide valuable social interaction and prevent feelings of loneliness. A Companion Carer will regularly visit the home to provide a friendly face and enjoy a chat over a cup of tea. They can also run errands and attend medical appointments with you or your loved one.
Home Carers can help with food shopping as much or as little as needed. For some, this might be help with planning meals for the week and what foods need to be purchased. For others, it might be providing transport to the store and accompanying them inside to select items off shelves. A Home Carer can be flexible or take control of the entire process, whether that’s going to the shops or helping to do it online.
I like Alina Homecare because I have the same person nearly all the time – because I’m registered blind that’s very important to me. I think they’re wonderful as they go the extra mile for me, like bringing me a Christmas dinner, helping me sort out problems with my internet and emails, collecting my shopping, doing my washing nearly every day. All in all, I’m really glad I chose Alina Homecare as they’re all really lovely and wonderful going the extra mile.”
Julian, Client, Basingstoke
As well as assistance with shopping, a Home Care professional can help with other odd jobs, like preparing healthy meals to ensure elderly clients are eating a balanced diet of fresh food. They’ll get to know their dietary preferences and allergies so they can prepare foods they’ll enjoy.
Our professional Carers help with food shopping and they’re also trained in medication management. This means they can assist with ordering and collecting prescriptions on time which is particularly helpful for those unable to get out of the home. Having professional caregivers take on these tasks provides valuable reassurance that your loved one’s health and wellbeing are cared for.
Our shopping assistance for seniors is included as part of our care services. Therefore, the cost varies depending on how frequently you’d like us to visit and how long you’d like us to stay. If Home Care assistance is an option you’d like to explore, find your local Alina Homecare Team for additional information.
1. Age UK, “Help with shopping”, Reviewed 9 October 2024
2. Tesco, “Launching Quiet Hour permanently in stores”, Reviewed 9 October 2024
3. Morrisons, “Introducing new measures aimed at helping vulnerable & elderly”, Reviewed 9 October 2024
4. Statista, “E-commerce in the UK – statistics & facts”, Reviewed 9 October 2024
5. Hidden Disabilities, “Sunflower shopping survey 2020”, Reviewed 9 October 2024