How to find meal delivery services for the older generation

Restaurant-to-home dining

A quick and convenient option for receiving ready-made meals at home is through a food delivery service. You simply place an order online or through a mobile app and for a small fee, a driver will pick up your order from the restaurant and deliver it straight to your door. Many apps will even save your past orders so that you can reorder your favourite meals quickly.

These delivery services are a great way to spice up the week and add a bit of variety to your usual meals. However, due to the higher costs and delivery fees, they are not well suited as a regular replacement for home cooked meals.

Meal kit services

There are two main types of meal delivery services: meal kits and pre-made meals. With a meal kit service, you’ll receive a recipe card and pre-measured ingredients that you can use to make your own meal from scratch at home. This allows you to cook fresh, homemade meals without the stress and hassle of meal planning and getting to the shops.

Meal kit services are best suited for older adults that are still able to cook their own meals but may find it difficult to create a meal plan or go grocery shopping.

Ready-made meals

There are many meal services across the UK that will deliver ready-made meals to your home. They provide a quick and convenient alternative to having to go to the shops, pick up supplies and then having to cook a meal for yourself.

You can choose how often you would like meals delivered – everyday, once or twice a week or just when you’re feeling tired or unwell. Most ready-made, meal delivery services post their menus online, allowing you to choose your favourite dishes and have them delivered right to your door.

The options really are endless when it comes to these delivery services. You can find a service that will cater to your budget, dietary preferences and preferred cooking methods. While dinner options are the most popular, some services also provide ready-made lunches and snacks. You can order frozen meals, cupboard-stored meals and even fresh meals delivered hot.

Before committing to any meal delivery service, it can be beneficial to carefully research the company to ensure they provide quality and nutritionally-balanced meals. Here are some factors you may want take into consideration during your research:

• Consider the cost –  It is important to consider the entire cost of a meal delivery service including the cost per meal and any shipping fees. Most meal delivery services offer discounts for shopping bulk or for signing up for regular deliveries.
• Meal offerings – Many meal delivery services make their menus available online. Take a look at the menu before committing to any service to ensure that the meals being offered align with your tastes and preferences. You may want to order only a few meals to begin with to ensure you enjoy the meals being offered.
• Storage method – Meal delivery services offer a wide variety of storage methods for their meals including frozen, cupboard-stored and even hot meals delivered fresh daily. Consider how you will be storing your meals and ensure you have the space in your refrigerator, freezer or cupboard before placing a large order.

• Dietary considerations – If you follow a certain diet or have any dietary restrictions such as food allergies, you’ll want to ensure that the delivery service you choose can accommodate your preferences. Some meal delivery services offer a fixed menu while others allow you more control over specific dietary swaps.
• Nutrition and quality of ingredients – The quality of ingredients can vary between meal delivery services. Look for delivery services that prioritise fresh, local and in-season produce. Of course, higher-quality ingredients often come with a higher price tag, so you’ll need to balance nutrition, price and quality of ingredients to find the balance that works for you

If you or your loved ones are finding it difficult to plan and prepare nutritious meals at home, our dedicated live-in care service can help. A professional carer will move into your home and provide you with the help and support you need to continue living an independent and active lifestyle.

A live-in carer can provide help with a number of tasks including cooking and meal planning, help with housekeeping duties, discreet and sensitive personal care and facilitating trips into your local community. On top of practical support, a live-in carer can also provide friendship and companionship, as and if you need it.

At The Good Care Group, we’ve been helping people continue to live in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes for over 10 years. We are fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission and the only dedicated live-in care provider to receive ‘Outstanding’ ratings across the board – a reflection of the professional, personalised and compassionate care we provide.

Our professional carers are trained beyond industry standards and managed by expert local care managers. We take a holistic approach to care that considers not only the care needs of our clients but their lifestyle choices and preferences as well.

Do not hesitate to contact us to find out how live-in care can enhance the quality of your life.