Meals and shopping

Looking after yourself is incredibly important and good nutrition is a part of that. Getting assistance with shopping or when preparing and cooking meals can make things much easier and help you feel comfortable that you’re getting enough food and nutrients.

You can get assistance in:

◆ Grocery shopping, food preparation and/or cooking

◆ Transport to and from shops

◆ Feeding

◆ Meal delivery

◆ Food subscription services

◆ Cooking programs

◆ Diet, nutrition, food storage and food safety

◆ Special dietary requirements

◆ Shopping for items like clothes and gifts etc.

You can get support with shopping for items other than food. For example, a support worker can assist you in going to a department store to shop for clothes or gifts or to the post office to pay your bills.

This provides peace of mind and allows you to get out in the community to buy the things you need if you have limited mobility or can no longer drive yourself.

Support options

There are many services available that can help with meals and shopping, depending on the level of assistance you require. You may just need help getting the groceries to your door or need help with food storage, right down to preparing, cooking and feeding of meals. It may be handy to talk to a friend, family member or your doctor about what care you might need.

Some meal services and supports that are available include:

◆ Click and collect

Click and collect has become a popular way to do grocery shopping, with the convenience of shopping online, getting your groceries packed by a personal shopper and ready for collection. This service is usually free, with the possibility of same day collection from a supermarket location of your choice if you order online before a certain time.

Some supermarkets also allow you to leave the personal shopper notes, such as how ripe you would like your fruit and vegetables to be.

◆ Grocery delivery services

Some supermarkets provide home delivery if transport is an issue or you would like the convenience of your groceries delivered to your door. Ordering online can be easy and convenient, with the ability to select the exact items you need, different delivery time slots and various payment options.

The delivery fee may differ depending on the time slot you select, and often is free if over a certain amount is spent. There are also private companies and smaller supermarket stores that provide delivery options.

◆ Food subscription services

If you enjoy cooking, but don’t want to think about planning what to eat, food subscription services can be a good option. They provide fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes to your home so you can enjoy cooking without the hassle. The benefits of these services include convenience, saving time deciding what to cook, minimal food waste and portion control.