Hi All, I have CKD and I am all alone. I need groceries as I was not able to go get any of the services or grocery stores to deliver to me as I live in a very highly populated area (Beach Cities) near LAX. I will need to go out to store or else will have no food. I am very anxious and have no choice but to try to get food from stores. BTW, most of the grocery stores here and even little ones like Aldi have very little food left as people are hoarding like crazy. It is bad enough having CKD and now this is just another worry and burden. Thanks for listening, I sincerely all of you will not contract this horrible virus and have good luck in getting water, food and toilet paper. OH, BTW, they were rationing out TP at SAM's club.
Alone and Afraid: Hi All, I have CKD and I... - Kidney Disease
Alone and Afraid
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Batsheva
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41 Replies
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I live alone too and have had to brainstorm ways to make this work. So here are a few ideas I’ve considered; I don’t know if any will work for you or not.
1. Can uber or lyft deliver groceries?
2. If not, can you place a grocery order for curbside pickup then have uber or lyft (or drive yourself) to the curbside pickup location to get the groceries without going inside.
4. Reach out to local charities, if they drive people to appointments they might drive to pick up curbside grocery pickup for you and bring it to your house.
5. Call the grocery store. They may be providing delivery on a case by case basis for persons with high risk ... (I’d definitely try this even if they say they don’t deliver groceries.)
6. Reach out to your neighbors. Perhaps one will buy your groceries and bring them home for you; you can reimburse them for the cost...
7. Try various home helper organizations. You might be able to hire a person to do your shopping for you through one of those groups, eg, visiting angels.
8. Online meal delivery groups like Green Chef can deliver directly to your front door.
Anyway, that’s the sort of thing I considered. I suspect there are service organizations in your area that will jump in to help. Plus anything that is nonperishable, beans, canned peaches, applesauce, can be ordered online and delivered to your door. It’s meat and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables that are the issue.
As you wait for real food to arrive, you can definitely use uber eats to deliver food for the day from a restaurant. I can make customized orders with Panera’s. Other restaurants will do the same. You can order for the day and get it delivered around noon...
So, to summarize:
1. I’d reach out to service groups in my area.
2. I’d check into curbside pickup. If available I’d place my user and drive myself or use uber/lyft to get myself there.
3. I’d consider a fresh food meal delivery service.
4. I’d order nonperishables for home delivery. I’d order lie or no sodium items of course and then rinse them fir some time before cooking with them to decrease the sodium level more.
5. I’d order once a day from a local restaurant that will fix the meal to fit my dietary needs then ask uber eats to bring the good to me.
I’m using uber and lyft a lot so I can stay self isolated...
I’m using a combination of a local charity shopping for me and a meal delivery company. I’m hoping the meal delivery company remains a viable option for me through all of this.
Jayhawker
Thanks for all your suggestions. How very kind of you. I will reach out and try to get some help. You are such a wonderful person to try to help. I would guess there are many other folks like me who are elderly with chronic disease having the same issues. I only hope these issues and this virus goes away and things can be normal for all. Be safe dear, you are simply marvelous.
I forgot about one other option, Meals on Wheels.
We’ll get through this!
Jayhawker
I was going to mention meals on wheels to Jayhawker list. He gave you some very good options. Grubhub and Instacart are a few more plus Blue Apron. We are considering some ourself if the virus blows up where we are.
Uber and Lyft are going away or that's what our Governor said today so I wouldn't rely on them and it's very risky. I wouldn't do it. Make a list and have family or friends get your food and supplies. That's what I would do. LA isn't quarantined yet. I am down in north county San Diego and today was ops normal. Just like a normal day 8 months ago. Restaurants are open and you just can't dine in. Social distancing was voluntary and a couple of us did it. You should be ok with what I recommended or even go when it's seniors only. That should work out. Seniors get an extra hour just for senior shopping.
What will your state do to replace uber and lyft for those who have no other way of accessing services like medical appointments?
We’ve got no regular taxi services left at this point in my urban area.
Jayhawker
Governor didn't say because they may issue an order where everyone shall remain indoors unless it's for a medical appointment, pharmacy refill or select still open grocery stores. Taxis are still running here. We have 3 companies open right now.
Chris, my sister lives in El Cajon and told me seniors get an extra hour down there but I cannot find a store up here in the beach cities that does that. I am close to Manhattan Beach. Thnx for your kind suggestion. Are Uber and Lyft going to close?
A lot of churches can help with your shopping too. Many of them here, even if you are not a member, will help seniors. I would try calling a couple in your neighborhood and see if they can help. Many churches even have a list of members that serve as volunteers.
Best of luck to you.
Hi there Batsheva. Are there not any delivery services that will provide grocery delivery in your area? I have a number of health issues that have caused me to use grocery delivery services, even Walmart, should have some type of arrangement in place especially for those of us who are chronically ill. I know this next suggestion is probably one you wouldn’t much care for but, what about asking a neighbour or a family member? Would that be possible?
If those are not good options for you, please be sure to cover yourself with a mask and gloves should you need to go out there yourself. All my best to you! Stay well. 😊👍
Thank You Sammi. I tried every delivery service and they are none of the available. My family is not living near me they are all scattered.
Here in Central FL, there are some restaurants offering delivery as people avoiding eating in restaurants. If their is a senior organization in your area, you might check with them for help on getting food delivered. Does your county have senior transportation service?
No. All senior center and the senior transportation has closed down as all the restaurants; movies. Everyone seems to be isolating. There is millions of people where I live. I just hope they go back to normal soon.
All of our senior transportation has shut down too. At this point we still have uber and lyft but I do agree that they are risky.
I had to use lyft to get to my required monthly blood draw for the kidney transplant waitlist this past Monday. I wore disposable gloves which I threw into my trash as I got back home; I didn’t bring them back in the house. I laundered my clothes with detergent and Clorox as soon as I got home. Showered again, washed my hands again, used Clorox wipes on all door knobs, light switches, faucets, counter tops, my phone, my magnifying glass, my cane, my tennis shoes, etc. I wiped the car seat down with a Clorox wipe before getting in both on the way to and from the hospital. I also wiped the chairs down in the lab area in the hospital with more Clorox wipes.
It was quite the ordeal. The only thing I wasn’t able to control was the 5-6 feet distance between myself and the driver although I did sit in the back seat. However, I’ve got 4 lyft drivers who have given me their business cards. So I am only using one of them right now. I call them directly and verify that they aren’t exhibiting symptoms nor have had contact that they’re aware of with a person with the virus.
I have a low vision impairment so can not drive myself...
Like I said, quite the ordeal!
Jayhawker
Hi.
Water should not be a problem on my end. I drink tap water.
In terms of toilet paper, I have installed a bidet ($30) which helps financially and running to the store.
Food would be an issue but some stores are opening early for seniors only, this might work for you. Restaurants are open but to go only.
*just make sure to try your hardest not to touch your face when you’re out. Wash hands with soap.
Hi Batsheva. You mentioned you live close to LAX, so you must live in LA County. The County has a great deal of resources. You might want to contact your representative’s office from the Board of Supervisors and explain that you have a chronic health condition that prevents you from leaving your home to shop for necessities. I would imagine that Instacart should be available in your part of the County, however if Instacart is not available, your Board of Supervisor’s office should be able to connect you with a Community Based Organization that may be able to help out. Best of luck!
I would try and call a church closest to you and see if they have a volunteer that will help. I live alone and have no relatives close by.
The state pays a caregiver to help with my cleaning and going to the grocery store. I worry all the time that she will get sick and not be able to come.
Batsheva• in reply to
Looks like we have a similar situation. I hope your the person helping you will continiue to do so. I did volunteer for ten years at a major hospital here until this virus happened and now they told all of us old folks to stay home until further notice. Sending my warmest regards to you.
BTW I use instacart for my grocery delivery. In my urban area they also deliver items from natural geocery stores, pet stores, and CVS. I just checked and instacart is available in the area by LAX. Also Amazon has grocery delivery from natural grocer in some parts of the country.
I’ve been using instacart for about 18 months now. I started using them because I was feeling pretty poorly. There is an annual membership fee. But I didn’t have to pay that for the first few months, they had a free trial period. Stores like sprouts, natural grocer, Target, price chopper, hy bee, and other grocery stores are all accessible via instacart.
I have the free instacart app in my phone. Then I just enter my shopping list once a week. They do my shopping for me and bring it to my house. You’ll be able to chat with your shopper as shopping is underway. They check with you to approve any changes they need to make based on the store’s stock of available items.
My life has become much easier since I started using instacart!
Jayhawker
Also try the aging.lacity.org. The department of aging has a lot of information for seniors. Stay well.
Hi there! You may want to consider joining NextDoor- it’s a neighborhood message board. Many healthy neighbors are posting that they are able to help neighbors in need that have underlying health conditions. They are volunteering to get groceries, run errands or help with walking pets, etc.
Nice! People stepping up to help! This is always such a wonderful thing to see!!
Jayhawker
Hello Batsheva, everything I would have suggested has been said.I pray that one of those options will work for you 🙏 I too am afraid , I am on my second transplant and self isolating and I keep hearing this could last for a few months and I don't see how being immune suppressed ,with no spleen and the immunosuppressant meds , I can NOT get this virus!!My son and PCA (which I'm SOOOO blessed to have)work outside of my home and have to come in and out.
Take care and be safe
I too.
My kidneys were failing again 16% egfr last week (i live in northwest UK) and they put a band aid on them again and sent me home to an empty home.
They tried saying it was my gym supplements but i don't even take protein shakes???
They dropped from 35% friday and 16% the following Tuesday at which point i was advised to make my way to a&e.
Again. Mo way of getting there and too proud to call for an ambo.
I have also fragile asthma that requires bi-monthly iv of a new fandangled biological therapy. This is essential however, I'm also really anxious as i have been told to self-isolate for three months.
To make matters worse, i have no tv.
Like yourself, everywhere is almost sold out and I'm on disability so my payments only go in twice per month so i can't afford to stock up... I've nobody to help with groceries since I'm dutch and i have no family or friends here only acquaintances.
This whole thing is beyond madness.
I was booked for my first job interview in almost 4 years next week too.
They're still eager to see me however i don't know how safe or realistic it is to go for interview.
If I'm offered the job, then I'm isolation however i fear i shouldn't turn the interview down or a job offer.
My repeat u&es are tomorrow morning so either way i must leave my home and i pray they're stabilising or i really am up the creak.
Utter madness
I wish you all sterkte... Strength xxx
Oh No! You are really in a tough situation. Can you contact the local Government for help. I understand that there are people reaching out to seniors and sick people in my area offering help. Can you call your doctor and ask their advice about going for a job interview. It would be hard I figure since you, like so many of us, are self-isolating. I wish you luck and hope your eGFR goes back up. It is so scary (this kidney thing). Mine dropped from 50 to 35 in a few monthly from some medicine a very bad doctor had me take. Well, lets hope things return back to normal soon. Thanks for responding to me.
Thanks so much for your kind words. They mean a lot.
I've driven to my local tesco supermarket to find i was only permitted 3 small packs of chicken breast.
The world's gone crazy and how I'm supposed to self isolate when I've barely enough food for one week.
I tried calling my local townhall hoping for some advice but they said i need proof of my weakened immunity in order to be able shop within a special one hour window especially for the elderly or those with underlying issues???
If i could, i would send a foto of the store this morning.
They should be ashamed, those who have been hoarding. I saw one woman in my local Aldi put EIGHTY tins of tomatoes in her trolley?
Luckily she was made to put the majority back. Utter madness.
I must have repeat bloods tomorrow. It was supposed to be today however they were also queuing out of the door X
Oh No. People should not hoard. Aldi is where I managed to procure some food. I hope you get a good result from your blood test. I get mine next week and I am a nervous. I got cancer 3 years ago and it did not make me distressed at all. This kidney disease has turned me into a depressed/anxious person. Hope all will go well for you and you can get help. Can you call the Mayor's office. Someone has got to step up to the plate to help you!! Let me know what happens. Go all the way to the top. Are you in the states. When my baby sister was stationed in Japan when she was in the Navy I went all the way to the Secretary of the Navy office in the pentagon. I just walked right into his office. do not give up
Wow! The Pentagon? I didn't think that even possible.
You're sure brave.
The constant fluctuating does cause me dreadful anxiety.
As i used to bury my head in the sand As an ex staff nurse but the last 4 years have made me a nervous wreck and a hypochondriac.
I've become anxious at any back aches even muscular after I've been to the gym.
I don't know about you but i have Aspergers and I've become uber aware of every little twitch or heart beat in my body since...
I'm trying at bodybuilding and have successfully put on around 20k in the four years since my kidneys first failed due my anorexia.
I'm currently 51.7 with around 45k of that lean muscle.
I was 34.7 k fully dressed with bouncy docker boots back on 1st March 2016.
Almost 4 years to the day, thet go fail again im a dramatic fashion in just one weekend.
My dr said quote "you are a bit of a hypochondriac"... That was 1st March 16 on the morning that i literally felt like i was dying and before i got myself to a&e to test my u&es.
Lucky i did or things could have been very different.
I was losing around three kilo per DAY at this point...
I have no faith at all in our NHS. Oh... Yes I'm based in the UK for my sins.
I'm from Holland and wish to god I'd never moved here.
It's absolute utter hell xxx
Oh No. I had no idea the UK was like that. You poor dear. This is just about the worst thing that could happen. You have to live in fear of the kidneys declining. I do not think you are a hypochondriac at all. No, I never think about my heartbeats or twitches or things like that. I just worry about my eGFR and if I will ever be on dialysis. I wish you luck in going forward. Keep in touch to let me know how you are doing. Sorry you are subjected to substandard health care. Barb
You too Barb.
Do please keep me posted. I didn't get that dreaded evening fonecall saying they're failing again so I'll pray that's a good sign and assume they're ticking over at at least 45% hehe
As you know, we should never assume anything with this CKD 😒
My biggest fear right now is not being able to eat correctly as I've a strict renal diet and nothing processed but times are hard so I'm happy to take chance and eat anything i can physically get hold of.
The worst outcome will be the return of my old anorexic self when this crisis is over or repeat failings but hey.
Must try and remain positive and take every day as it comes just now
I wouldn't ever normally ask but do you have whatsapp at all?
Sometimes i miss messages on here xx
Hello, I hope that them not calling you means you got a good result. YES, I do have the WhatsApp. I used it to call my friend when she was in Nice, France. Have a safe and healthy day. I too am eating foods that I should not for my CKD. I feel guilty and scare too.
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