As the Covid-19 virus continues around the world, we’ve all heard about the higher risk to the elderly or those with serious medical conditions. During this time, an elderly person living at home should be very cautious about trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, or doctor’s office.
But everyone has to have food, medicine and health care. Many businesses have created ways that seniors can access the services they need with less risk.
Many grocery stores now offer curb-side pickup or home delivery. This may seem foreign to the elderly, many of whom are not internet users and thus not able to place their order. Making an online order may be something a friend or family member can do, helping convert the written list into an online order that’s easy to be picked up.
Pharmacies often have a drive up window; some now also offer a curb-side pickup or will deliver the prescription to the senior’s home. You may also be able to order through your pharmacy for a mailed prescription. Be sure to call and ask your pharmacy about alternate ways to pick up monthly medications, without having to visit the store.
Meal delivery from many restaurants is also available, but may be another foreign idea; ask your family member if they’d want to try it and learn how it works! Several nationwide companies now offer a meal preparation kit that can be delivered to the home, which may be helpful to seniors who still enjoy cooking. The caregivers at FootPrints Home Care can also help with meal preparation.
For those who no longer enjoy cooking or who don’t feel safe doing so in the kitchen, prepared meals can be delivered to the home. In Albuquerque, home-delivered meals for seniors can be arranged here; in Sandoval County and Rio Rancho, meals are available through the Sandoval County Senior Program. Learn more here.
In Santa Fe, contact the Community Services here, or the Los Alamos Senior Services here. At FootPrints, we work across this region to be a blessing to our communities and our elderly residents. If we can be of assistance to you or your family, please contact us.
