How to Find Meal Delivery Services for Every Budget

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The cost of meal delivery services varies widely, depending on the location, the recipient's income, and the type of food and how often it's needed. Many urban areas, for example, might have choices ranging from subsidized programs for free to made-to-order specialty meals for several hundred dollars a week -- with lots of possibilities in between. Less populated spots may offer fewer but less expensive alternatives.

In terms of cost, the possible options can be grouped into a few categories:


Free services

A number of programs offer free meals to older adults in need. While local requirements differ, recipients must generally have few valuable assets and meet fairly strict income guidelines -- usually meaning they must qualify for Medicaid.

A number of programs subsidize food and meal purchases and deliveries to older adults. While local requirements differ, recipients must generally have few valuable assets and meet fairly strict income guidelines -- the same requirements that qualify them to receive benefits under local Medicaid programs. Net monthly income must be at or below the federal poverty guidelines, currently about $902 per month for a household of one and $1,214 for a household of two in most locales.

To find free meal delivery programs, contact:

* The Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which provides food directly to some low-income individuals over age 60 who live in one of the 39 states participating in the program. For information on eligibility and how to apply, go to the program's website.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/csfp/

* Church and community groups, which frequently offer free meal delivery as a service to local residents in need. However, it can be a little difficult to track them down. For help with this, contact your Local Area Agency on Aging and ask for area programs offering free meal deliveries. Be aware that eligibility criteria and availability change frequently.


To find your Local Area Agency on Aging:
http://www.caring.com/local/area-agency-on-aging



Low-cost services

Many nonprofit organizations and state agencies offer meal delivery services to those in need at little or no cost. These include Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army, religious groups, and community service groups.

A number of diverse groups, often nonprofits and state-run or community-based organizations, offer meals and meal delivery services. These may be at little cost for those who qualify.

Local options can include:

* Meals on Wheels. The oldest and largest national organization offering meal services to those in need, Meals on Wheels charges an average of about $35 weekly for two meals daily, although no one is denied delivery for financial reasons. You can find a local program, along with contact information for member programs that also provide meals, through the website run by the national office of Meals on Wheels. http://www.mowaa.org/

* Salvation Army. Some locations offer nutrition services for the elderly, both onsite and by delivery. You can find local services by searching under elderly services by ZIP code at the website run by the national office of the Salvation Army. http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-local/Programs

* Visiting Nurses Associations. Many local Visiting Nurses Associations will deliver fresh and frozen meals to residents for a low cost. You can find the nearest group through the website of the Visiting Nurse Associations of America. http://vnaa.org/vnaa/siteshelltemplates/homepage_navigate.htm

* Family Service Agencies. These nonprofit or state-run agencies generally have the goal of making it possible for seniors to continue to live in the community as independently as possible. Some operate their own meal delivery services; most provide referrals to locally available services. Search online for family service agency in the nearest city or county.

* Religious organizations. Some churches, synagogues, and interfaith or other religious organizations have established meal delivery programs. And some will arrange to cover the needs of individuals informally, particularly for those who are members. Check with local organizations for details.

* Community service groups. Some community groups, usually staffed by volunteers, offer meal delivery services at a slight cost or with a voluntary donation encouraged. To find them, searching a local telephone book under Community Services may be more direct than an Internet search.

* Senior centers. Most community senior centers offer meal and nutrition programs, including group meals onsite. Some will also deliver to homes within a close geographical distance. Check with local senior centers and adult daycare centers for services.

* Aging-in-place organizations. In a growing number of communities, individuals have banded together to offer referrals or actual services that make it easier to age at home, to those who pay a yearly membership fee. Services usually include meal preparation and delivery. Because these groups go by different names -- Boston's Beacon Hill Village and San Francisco's San Francisco Village were among the early models -- it can be a bit difficult to find a local one. To begin, search online on aging in place along with the name of the city or county.



Medium-priced to expensive services

A growing number of restaurants and other commercial providers offer prepared meals that can be ordered by phone or online. Many feature selections that are delivered to the door warm or are easy to heat and eat, specially portioned and balanced for the nutritional needs of older adults.

In many areas, a growing number of restaurants and other commercial providers offer complete meals that can be ordered by phone or online.

Among the options:

* Restaurant delivery services. Many locales have services that will deliver orders from participating restaurants for a slight charge. Some restaurants also offer this option on their own. Check with individual restaurants -- or search online under restaurant delivery and the name of your city or town.

* Other commercial services. A growing number of providers in every state offer prepared meals that can be ordered by phone or online. Many feature selections that are easy to heat and eat and specially portioned and balanced for the nutritional needs of older people. To find them, search online for meal delivery in your city or town.




Other meal options

Those who are able and willing to get out and about, on their own or perhaps with some assistance, may enjoy the camaraderie that can come from having an occasional or regular meal with others at a senior center, community center, daycare center, or a place of worship.

Older adults who are able and willing to cook for themselves but are unable to get to a grocery store or to shop on their own may benefit from services that transport them to and from the store or do the shopping for them.

Others who are homebound but enjoy eating particular foods that they aren't able or willing to cook themselves may do best by hiring individuals -- either privately or through an in-home care agency -- usually by the hour, to prepare meals to order.

If you're trying to arrange meals for someone who isn't suited to having them delivered, or who just wants an occasional break from that service, consider these options.

Onsite dining

A number of organizations offer occasional or regular meal and nutrition programs at their own locations, and many also provide help with transportation for those in need. Check with local groups for availability and any special rules that may apply. For example, some organizations may not be equipped to handle diners with dementia, incontinence, or mobility limitations.

Local options may include:

* Senior centers and community groups. Many offer onsite meal programs in an effort to help build community spirit or as a service to local residents. You can contact local organizations directly, or you may get targeted advice by calling your Local Area Agency on Aging and asking for programs currently being offered.

* Religious organizations. Some churches, synagogues, and other religious organizations have established meal programs on site. Some also offer occasional or regular meals, often with a theme, such as Pancake Breakfasts or Spaghetti Suppers.

* Adult daycare centers. Adult daycare typically includes meal services along with activities such as films and music, arts and crafts, physical exercise, discussion groups, and local outings. Check local listings or search for nearby adult daycare centers through the National Adult Day Services Association. (See: http://www.nadsa.org/ ) Those who need financial help with meals at adult daycare centers may find it through the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which pays for or subsidizes such meals for some low-income individuals age 60 and older. (See: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Care/CACFP/aboutcacfp.htm )

Grocery shopping and delivery

Those who can and want to prepare at least some meals at home may get needed help from local services that deliver groceries or take individuals to the store so they can shop on their own. This option requires clients to be organized enough to make their own lists of food needs, or have someone else help them do it.

Such organizations include:

* Grocery store services. Many grocery stores -- especially larger ones -- offer the option of home grocery delivery. Customers can order either online or over the phone. The charge, which generally ranges from $5 to $20 dollars, is usually dependent on the number of items ordered or the total amount of the bill. Discounts are often available for frequent shoppers. To find one of these services, search for grocery delivery in your area, or contact the larger local grocery stores.

* Community service groups. Some community groups, usually staffed by volunteers, offer grocery shopping services, either with or without the senior coming along. Such services are generally free or low-cost to those who meet income and age requirements, although there may be limits on the number of rides or deliveries allowed each month. Clients usually must also schedule the services in advance; a week's lead time is common. Most services will limit the time spent in a store, or they may go only to specified stores. To find this type of help, the old-fashioned method of searching a local telephone book under Community Services may be more direct than an Internet search.

* Organizations with "friendly visitor" components. Groups such as Meals on Wheels ( http://www.mowaa.org/ ) and Senior Corps ( http://www.seniorcorps.gov/ ) may arrange for their volunteers to shop and deliver groceries for those they visit.

Financial help paying for groceries

A number of programs help cover the cost of groceries. Most of them have state-specific income and age rules for qualifying. They include:

* Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. This organization provides voucher checks to some low-income older adults, usable for locally grown fresh foods sold at farmer's markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agricultural programs. For information about participating state programs, go to SFMNP's website. http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/SeniorFMNP/SFMNPcontacts.htm

* Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Formerly known as the federal Food Stamp Program, SNAP provides nutrition education and monthly monetary benefits for designated food items. To check eligibility, see SNAP's prescreening tool, under "Eligibility Requirements." http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/

* Commodity Supplemental Food Program. This organization provides food directly to some low-income individuals over age 60 who live in one of the 39 states participating in the program. Check the group's website for information on eligibility and how to apply. http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/csfp/csfp_eligibility.htm

In-home food preparation

Those who prefer their food cooked at home to their own specifications but who can no longer do it alone may find the solution by hiring occasional or regular help for cooking. Costs may range from a low of $10 an hour for a private individual to $20 or more per hour for an in-home helper hired through an agency.

Word of mouth or local newspaper ads may be the best way to find inexpensive part-time cooking help. Or contact your local Area Agency on Aging and ask for referrals.



How to get started

One good way to find out what's available in a particular area is to call your local Area Agency on Aging. While the services offered differ according to locale, most Area Agencies on Aging provide referrals to local meal delivery services. They may also be able to provide time-saving "inside knowledge," such as the geographic area each organization serves, or whether there's a waiting list for clients.


Checklist: What to Ask When You Call a Meal Delivery Service


Preparing for the call

There are a number of personal questions that representatives at food delivery services commonly ask, usually about a potential client's eligibility.

Before you place the call, it's best to gather information about the individual’s:

- Age

- Address

- Income level

- Current eligibility to receive Medicaid (While state requirements for this differ, most impose a net monthly income level of no more than $902 per month for a household of one and $1,214 for a household of two.)

- Ability to prepare his or her own meals

- Ability to leave home without assistance


Making the call


Be sure to keep careful notes for each service you call. At minimum, here's what you'll want to keep track of:

- Name of service

- Telephone number

- Contact person


Questions to ask


Take notes on answers to the following questions:

- What eligibility requirements apply?

- How many meals are included?

- Are they delivered ready to eat or frozen?

- What's the cost?

- Is there a waiting list for the service to begin?

- If so, how long is it likely to take?

- Are there accommodations for allergies or special diets, such as low sodium, diabetic, or softened foods?

- Are clients given a weekly menu in advance?

- Are deliveries assured for a specific time of day?

- Can the meals be left at a home if a client isn't there?

- Is it possible to try out the service for a trial period before committing to it?

- Can service be suspended for occurrences such as hospital stays without the need to reapply?

- Is nutrition counseling offered as part of the service?

- Do you know of other local services that might meet our needs?

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By Barbara Kate Repa, Caring.com Author