Any ideas for grocery shopping when elderly parent can no longer drive?

Wyndham

Long story short, couple where he drives, she doesn't, but he is currently having treatement and can't drive anymore. Both elderly, and not massively IT savvy.

One basic problem is that they used to drive to the supermarket, but this is no longer possible. There is a reluctance to do online shopping. She still wants to still go to the supermarket, and could get a taxi home, but is concerned about carrying and packing it all (at the moment he can't help with that). Family have been helping, but live at a distance, meaning it's not the most practical solution long term.

So, I'm looking for any experiences of how others have dealt with this (I'm sure there must be many out there). Anything we could consider?

Many thanks in advance!

marcia_

 You could get a carer/support worker to assist her. Either paying yourself or trying for an adult social care assessment 

teaselMay

Best bet may be to pay a carer for a couple of hours, plus the taxi fare. 

Keep_pedalling

Some supermarkets will help a frail customer to do their shopping and help with packing.

Brie

Sounds an ideal way for a local teen with a driving license earn some pocket money.  She can go to the supermarket, teen agree to meet to pick up 30 minutes later or at an arranged time, drive her home and help her get stuff into the kitchen and packed away.  Or teen could drive both ways and help with shopping too.  I'd rather spend £10 (or?) that way than on a random taxi.  

Might be a much more pleasant way to earn a bit rather than babysitting.  And an elderly couple may very well welcome a friendly younger person in their lives.  

MacPingu1986

If supermarket is walkable, are smaller but more frequent trips rather than a big shop an option? (or a hybrid of online for bigger heavier stuff combined with a walking trip to top-up?) 

Wyndham

marcia_ said:

 You could get a carer/support worker to assist her. Either paying yourself or trying for an adult social care assessment 

Thank you for this. But I have no idea how to set this up? Where would we find someone we could trust? Any pointers?

Wyndham

Brie said:

Sounds an ideal way for a local teen with a driving license earn some pocket money.  She can go to the supermarket, teen agree to meet to pick up 30 minutes later or at an arranged time, drive her home and help her get stuff into the kitchen and packed away.  Or teen could drive both ways and help with shopping too.  I'd rather spend £10 (or?) that way than on a random taxi.  

Might be a much more pleasant way to earn a bit rather than babysitting.  And an elderly couple may very well welcome a friendly younger person in their lives.  

I do like this, thank you! Now all I need to do is find a local teen

Zinger549

Iceland do home delivery service in-store. You do your shopping as normal, pay at the till and then pick a delivery slot.

Wyndham

MacPingu1986 said:

If supermarket is walkable, are smaller but more frequent trips rather than a big shop an option? (or a hybrid of online for bigger heavier stuff combined with a walking trip to top-up?) 

Appreciate the thought, but the supermarket is about a mile, and that's (unfortunately) a bit too much for her. There is a local shop closer she is going to 'top up' with.

We need to work on the 'why not online' part, and we know that. It may just be uncertainty, and if we can get her to try it (and it goes well) she may then wonder why she was worried. But change isn't easy for any of us, and there is a lot going on at the moment so this may not be the right battle for right now - thank you though, it's a good suggestion!

Wyndham

teaselMay said:

Best bet may be to pay a carer for a couple of hours, plus the taxi fare. 

Thank you. I'm not sure how to find a carer - we can pay, but where to start? It's a new world for all of us!