Senior Meal Delivery Programs Provide a Way for Someone to Check on Seniors Who Live Alone

Carol Bradley Bursack, author of the nationally known book Minding Our Elders, writes on Feb. 4, 2008 at OurAlzheimers.com about "Caregiver Isolation: Don't Do It - Reach Our to Your Community!" The article describes a recent news item about a caregiver and her mother. The daughter died from a brain aneurism and the mother, who had Alzheimer's, evidently fell down the stairs, broke a hip, and lay there to die. They were not found for several days because they were so isolated. Many times adult children or relatives have mentioned to me that they signed up for Meals on Wheels or a Senior Nutrition Program that delivers meals so that someone would knock on the door once a day and check to see if everyone is OK.

Especially for a senior who lives alone, this can be an important safety measure. If there is no answer at the door when the meal is delivered, and there is no note on the door to explain why, then the meal delivery person reports this and authorities check to see why no one can answer the door.

Additionally, the meal delivery person visits for a moment and has an opportunity to see if a crisis is developing. For instance, if a senior lives alone and appears to be experiencing a new health difficulty, the meal delivery person can report this.

If there are no relatives close by, and if both the caregiver and the care-recipient are in frail health, having meals delivered Monday through Friday provides one way to check on them. Other ways include daily telephone calls from relatives, church members, or neighbors or members of a senior center who sometimes do this.

Meals on Wheels and Senior Meal Programs

In San Luis Obispo the Meals on Wheels program will deliver meals to seniors. The telephone number is (805) 541-1336.

This is a great help for seniors who live alone because it provides a variety of nutritious meals based on a balanced diet. The meals arrive in styrofoam containers and leftovers can be reheated in a microwave easily. I've been a caregiver for many people who received meals on wheels. If they live alone and are at risk for not eating a nutritious, well-rounded diet, then meals on wheels can be a big help.

If seniors have difficulty going grocery shopping then having meals on wheels ensures there is always healthy food on the way when supplies get low. Sometimes seniors have slowly changed their eating habits as they became tired or weak. It can become a cycle - less nutrition, more tired, too weak to prepare food, less nutrition, etc.

The number for the senior nutrition program is (805) 541-3312.

The website address is at mealcall.org for San Luis Obispo.

If you live outside of this area check in your phone book, on the computer, or with your local Adult Protection or Social Services for a program in your area.