A Guide to Meal Delivery For Seniors

We are currently living through unprecedented times, with the world dealing with COVID 19. This pandemic has caused many people to experience feelings of anxiety about getting infected. Research suggests that the senior demographic has an increased risk for contracting the disease and developing more  severe symptoms. As we age, our age becomes ever so more important to us because we become more prone to develop medical conditions and complications. Being infected with COVID-19, as a senior, has the potential to elevate these health conditions. This is concerning to both seniors themselves and their loved ones. Right now, the most important thing to do is to take the proper precautions in aim to minimize the risk of getting COVID as much as possible. 

The spread of COVID-19, also known as SARS-COV-2, started in China near the end of 2019. It is described as a respiratory disease or virus. Once the virus enters or infects the body, it tries to stick to the cells within our airways, and this is why one of the most common symptoms is difficulty breathing. A person with a strong immune system will effectively fight off the disease. However, because this is a new virus that we haven’t ever had to fight off, the immune system fight off the disease too hard, resulting in counterproductive support and attacking the lungs further. This is why health officials and experts place such emphasis on strong immune systems when analyzing if one is at high risk of COVID-19. 

Immunity is essentially your body’s defense system, and naturally, this tends to weaken with age. Just like you likely cannot exercise as harder or run as fast as you could when you were younger, it is probable that your immune system similarly does not function as well as it did before. Older adults develop fewer immune cells as they get older, and ones that are not as strong. This means that they will take longer to react to harmful viruses, and it will take more effort. 

It is important that we draw attention to our senior community and try our best to protect them as much as possible from this harmful virus. This is ever so more essential as we head into the winter months, where the Coronavirus is predicted to be even more active. It is also important that you take a look at your government's safety guidelines in regards to what precautions you should be following in hope to decrease the spread of COVID. Simple precautions include wearing a mask in public settings, keeping rooms well ventilated, constantly washing hands, using hand sanitizer, avoiding large crowds, and physically distancing. This list is not exhaustive. 

COVID-19 Face Mask

Avoiding public settings can be difficult as we rely on many public places to complete our daily tasks, such as grocery shopping. Most food stores and restaurants are doing their best to safely handle and deliver their food to public citizens. This includes taking the best practices for the health of employees, cleaning and sanitizing objects and equipment, and using personal protective equipment. Although most food stores and restaurants are doing their best to safely hand and deliver their food to public citizens, you are still risking infection when heading out to the grocery store. This is why you may want to consider using meal delivery services as a mode of obtaining your groceries.

Retail food delivery are courier services which may include any stores, restaurants or independent food-delivery organizations, and delivers food to a customer. Most often, orders are made through the organizations website, over the phone, or through a given food ordering company. Items may include any available sides, entrees, drinks, desserts or grocery items. They are commonly delivered in a box or bag.

Once an order has been placed, a hired delivery person will transport your items directly to your doorstep. The central benefit here is that seniors don’t have to expose themselves to anyone outside of their social bubble. Even when picking up your food from your doorstep, your delivery person will likely just drop off your items and leave right away in aim to have no contact with you. The mode of paying differs from company to company. Given COVID circumstances, most companies offer the option to pay online instead of in person. Note that it customary to pay a delivery fee and tip fee when using a food delivery service. 

Provided below are a list of meal delivery services that are accessible here in London. Don’t risk your personal health, and look into getting your food delivered. 

1. On The Move Organics

On the Move Organics is a food service company who prides themselves in delivering organic and high quality local food to the citizens of London. Additionally, they have recently announced that they are expanding their delivery ranges to Woodstock, Sarnia, St. Thomas and other locations in between. They emphasize the simplicity of ordering food from On The Move Organics, with their motto being “You Shop, We Source and Deliver.” This company stands out from other meal delivery services because their top priority is to source organically and locally.

The term organic refers to the way in which produce is grown and processed. Studies suggest that how your food is grown can have a major effect on your mental, emotional and physical health. For the most part, organic products contains less pesticides, are often fresher and are GMO-free. In addition, you are helping the environment when choosing to purchase organic foods. Locally-grown food refer to food that is grown close to your home town, or at places such as a farmer’s market. One central benefit to choosing locally grown food is that your money goes towards your local economy, as your purchase will go directly to the farmer. Another benefit to locally grown food is that your food will usually be fresh, and in prime state due to not having to travel far distances. 

Meal Delivery Kit

2. Live Fit Foods

Live Fit Foods is a meal delivery service where in-house chefs actually cook your meals, and deliver them hot to your door. For you, thit means that there is no meal preparation involved and that you can eat as soon your food gets to you, in the comfort of your own home. Live Fit Foods services operate across many cities in Ontario, including London, where their chefs cook amazing dishes locally.

Live Fit Foods offers a menu of a wide variety, and often depends on the chefs personal style. From a pan seared salmon, to a juicy chicken roast, rest assured that you will be getting quality food that's made from all natural ingredients Live Fit Foods places emphasis on including ingredients that are nourishing and nutritious for the body, serving generous portions of meat, fish, veggies, nuts, and seeds, and serving small portions of grains and dairy. When seniors rely on someone else for preparing their food, it is important that they consistently get served a meal that is high in nutrients to aid in their long term health. 

Additionally, Live Fit Foods offer grocery orders that can be delivered right to your doorstep. The website is easy to navigate through and if you are looking to order something specific, or just a few items, you can narrow down your reach bar by fruits, vegetables, beverages, baking, pastas, dressings, and more. If you have any dietary restrictions, an option is also available to shop by preference of keto, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, sugar-free, or preservative free. These tools make the online shopping experience easy and enjoyable from the comfort of your own home.

If you are looking for something even more convenient, navigate through their meal packages page, and enjoy having your meal prepared for you! Available are a variety of packages that are tailored to your health and nutrition goals. For example, available packages includes ones that support weight loss, muscle gain, vegetarians, or fat burn. 

3. Meals on Wheels 

Meals on Wheels is a London-run non-profit organization that offers hot and frozen meals to London seniors over the age of 55, and adults with disabilities. Meals on Wheels is dedicated to providing meal deliver services to citizens in need of nutritional support. Their goal is to build independence for all their clients. Their mission statement reads: “Meals of Wheels London partners with volunteers to promote wellness, health, and independence through transportation and nutritious meal services, benefiting our community.”

A variety of meal service packages are offered to clients, including daily and weekly delivery services. Daily delivery services provides clients with fresh meals, available to be delivered from Monday to Friday, from 11:am-1:30pm. These meals can be delivered chilled or hot. The weekly delivery service offers meals to be ordered on Monday, and get delivered on Thursday. When choosing the weekly delivery service, clients are able to order 7 meals at a time, from a menu with over 70 options. The payment process involved clients being billed monthly or being automatically withdrawn. Payments can then be made online or over the phone.