When you have a parent that has now joined the ranks of senior citizens, that means that another phase of life has begun, and with it come some changes. You and your elderly parent already experienced major transitions in the past, as you became an adult, moved out, then started a family of your own, possibly even giving your parents their own grandchildren to love.
 
However, now, as senior citizens, your elderly parent or parents are experiencing physical changes that can impact daily activities most of us fail to think about. As strength weakens, and limbs become less mobile, everyday activities can be more difficult to carry out. One of those activities that may be impacted has a direct effect on a senior’s nutrition, and that is shopping.
 

No Longer An Easy Errand

 
For non-disabled adults with no physical issues, the idea of going out to buy groceries is a task done without thinking about at best or a minor distraction from other activities people would rather be doing at worst. But for some, including the elderly, this chore or errand is no longer as easy to carry out without a second thought.
 
For example, seniors who are no longer able to retain a driver’s license may suddenly find the miles to get to the nearest grocery store daunting. This is especially true if they have no wish to take public transportation to accomplish the goal.
 
And for those that are willing to take public transportation, there’s still the issue logistics. Without a car to pack in a large number of groceries, or even necessarily the physical strength and mobility to buy and carry many groceries, it may not be possible to restock the fridge and cupboards as fully as in the past. A reduced income from retirement may also contribute to this.
 

There Are Solutions

 
Fortunately, just because an elderly parent may have mobility issues that prevent easy trips to the grocery store, this does not mean that emptier fridges and cupboards are the new normal. There are plenty of ways that this can be overcome.
 
Depending on the preferences and the schedule availability, concerned adult children can either help directly or get outside intervention to step in. The most obvious solution is, of course, to take on these chores yourself. If you want to step in and buy groceries for your parent in the same way that it was done for you when you were younger, you can do that.
 
Conversely, you can also either hire people to deliver groceries according to a list, use one of many new online delivery services, or opt for meal delivery. With meal delivery, the food is already prepared and ready to go. All your parent has to do is come to the door to accept it.
 
Always remember that if you and your elderly parent want to continue living in a familiar home lifestyle, this sometimes means changes to the routine. As long as you can adapt to these new requirements, that lifestyle can continue.