Driving there. Finding parking. Praying that you picked the one buggy without the squeaky wheel.
Wandering up and down the maze of aisles, scanning for that one specific item you can’t seem to lay your eyes on. Waiting in line. Checking out. Unloading the car, and then, finally, putting it all away.
Shopping is a taxing chore for anyone to tackle, let alone seniors.
If you struggle to shop as a senior or are just flat-out tired of all of the hassle, read on to learn some tips for transforming grocery shopping from a burden to a breeze.
Tasty Tips for Simple and Stress-free Grocery Shopping for Seniors
1. Remember to Replenish—Always make a grocery list so you don’t forget anything.
We’ve all dealt with that frustrating feeling you get when you’re putting away your groceries and suddenly realize you forgot something.
No matter how old you are or how miraculous of a memory you may have, creating a grocery shopping list of the items you need is a foolproof way to avoid the aggravation of forgotten food.
As soon as you notice that your cabinets are becoming bare, pull out an old-fashioned piece of paper and a pen or pull up the notes section on your phone and make a list.
Even if your shelves are stocked, sometimes in the search for a particular snack, we realize that our favourite foods have “mysteriously” gone missing.
Whenever this happens, stop what you’re doing and immediately add that item onto your grocery list or begin a new list, even if you don’t plan on going shopping within the next few days.
This ensures that the next time you head out to the store, there will be no way of forgetting it, as it is already on your list.
2. Friendly Food Favours—Ask a friend or family member to do your grocery shopping for you.
They say that food tastes better when you eat it with your family, so who’s to say that it doesn’t taste better when your family shops for it too?
If you struggle to grocery shop for yourself as a senior, don’t be afraid or ashamed to lean on your loved ones for some shopping support. Families and friends who love you will want to help you and have no problem picking up your groceries for you.
If you’re still feeling shy or guilt-ridden about the idea of asking those closest to you for help, just remember this: Everyone’s got to eat.
To lighten the weight of your worry of “inconveniencing” them, you can wait until they are already making a trip to the store to ask them to pick up any groceries that you need.
3. Search for Shopping Support—Hire a caregiver who can also serve as your personal grocery shopper.
If you struggle grocery shopping by yourself but don’t want to ask your loved ones to give you a hand and have some wiggle room in your budget, you can consider hiring a caregiver.
Caregivers can do as little or as much as you need them to do for you in pursuit of their mission to make you feel safe, supported, comfortable, and cared for.
This can include grocery shopping, as well as other tasks you may have trouble with such as bathing, cooking, driving you to doctor’s appointments, feeding you, and even managing prescribed medications.
To learn more about how to find a kind and credible caregiver to hire, click here.
4. Meals on Wheels —Have your groceries delivered directly to your doorstep.
If you don’t want to send your friends and family out on a shopping scavenger hunt, nor have the means to hire a caregiver, don’t fret. There is a way for your buggy to come to you.
Online grocery delivery services are skyrocketing in popularity, becoming more and more common as people discover just how convenient it is to open your door to a porch filled with all of the items on your list without any of the grueling grocery grief.
Not only is it convenient and time-saving, but it is extremely useful and necessary for those who may suffer from mobility issues or for whatever reason, not be able to physically grocery shop.
To learn how you can get your groceries delivered directly to your doorstep, keep reading with tip number 5.
5. Cyber Check Out—Look into some different online grocery shopping methods such as curbside pickup, delivery, or in some cases, shipping.
Technology has come a long way, and as time progresses, more and more service options are available on the internet.
Nowadays, there are plenty of online shopping options, even when it pertains specifically to grocery shopping. Many supermarkets offer online shopping options.
In fact, many offer multiple online shopping methods such as curbside pickup, so you don’t have to leave the comfort of your car when collecting your groceries, delivery directly to your doorstep, and sometimes, shipping to your door when an unperishable item is out of stock.
Through their websites and apps, you can easily select which option you want and shop by selecting your favourite foods to put into your virtual trolley.
Once you’re satisfied with your haul, you can check out and pay online by simply entering any information needed for your specific shopping selection.
For example, you can often select a date and time window that works best with your schedule to pick up your order or get it delivered. Other information they may ask you to input includes your name, address, email, and a valid form of payment.
For a more detailed step-by-step guide on how to navigate the process of online shopping, click here.
6. Appetizing Apps—Download some grocery shopping apps.
In modern times, the majority of your favourite grocery stores have their own apps that you can download to pick your produce fresh from your phone.
Not only does downloading these apps make it easier and more efficient to grocery shop online, pick your items up curbside, and get your groceries delivered whenever you need it, but these apps also offer useful information on promotions, deals, discounts, sales, and more.
This means that you can save money by selecting items on sale, and if you wish, receive notifications on your phone for their latest deals.
Click here to see some of the most popular grocery store and delivery apps near you.