Meals on wheels

[Jamie13]

Does anyone use a 'meals on wheels' service? How did you find it, and what does it cost?

Thanks!

[jaykay777]

I assume you are in the U.S. I haven't used Meals on Wheels, but I did look into it recently. In my state. It is run by individual counties. You can check with your local office that provides services for the aging/elderly. In my area the recipient is required to have enough freezer space to accommodate a few meals; I don't know how many. The meals are nutritious and may include a piece of fresh fruit. The recipient should be able to heat the meal or have a caregiver who can do it for them.

[Jamie13 in reply to jaykay777]

Thank you, jaykay. I'm in the UK but I appreciate your help!

[fenbadger in reply to jaykay777]

Pretty well same as UK then. County runs the service and outsources.

[Hidden]

If you are in the UK, have a look at Wiltshire Farm Foods, people say they are good.

[Jamie13 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the tip!

[Lynn-Osborne]

Hello Jamie

There are a number of providers and it's worth contacting the local authority to see who the providers are in your area.

When contacting the provider, ensure you give them information on any special dietary requirements as well as likes and dislikes. Sometimes there will be substitutes on the day so you may not always get what you have ordered but on the whole it's good. They will also provide different portion sizes

Check if the meal is delivered hot everyday, not all do and will leave a frozen option for the next day which isn't always the best option if the person can't manage to put things in an oven

Will they plate it up? not all of them do

In addition, you can order a snack for tea

The delivery people do need to know how to gain access if the person is unable to answer the door

The other positive of this service, is that it is another person checking and visiting

[Jamie13 in reply to Lynn-Osborne]

Thanks, Lynne. That's really helpful!

[fenbadger]

They're ok and are the same company our local authority use for "meals on wheels". WFF come frozen, in sizes for normal and small appetites. My mum doesn't think they're all that tasty, but what does one expect. She's also in that lost appetite and taste area.

Talk to your local adult social care. Mine uses "Appetito", a private company (parent of WFF) that kind of took over from the traditional service. The meals are prepared at a base and actually still cooking on the van. Delivered ready to eat. The staff are really helpful, but often under pressure. where you do have to pay (locally they only take referrals) its about £4 a day. Delivery is in slots and dependent on traffic etc so lunch time could be quite variable.

[Jamie13 in reply to fenbadger]

That's great, fenbadger. Thanks for sharing your experience.