It’s your golden years! Which means retiring at home and enjoying your life. While relaxing in retirement, you want to focus on the hobbies you enjoy and keeping up with the family. For some, worrying about having dinner on the table and cleaning the house can become more burdensome as we get older. Perhaps, you live in a large home and the kids have all grown, or when you live alone, it’s harder to perform regular maintenance tasks, like cleaning the gutters, or changing out light bulbs. Maybe, cooking for one feels more like a chore, or you just don’t have the energy you once had. Do not fear! There are some programs that can help solve these minor issues and get you back to doing what you really want to do. Meals on Wheels, Groceries to go, Congregate Meals and Handy wheels are some local programs that can help. Here is a little information on each of these programs and how they can enrich your everyday life, while aging in place.
Meals on wheels
- A nutrition program that gives out home delivered meals for seniors and other homebound elderly people.
- Each Client receives one hot meal a day during the week, and may be given an option to receive frozen meals on the weekend.
- Each person is assigned a case manager who provides home visits and ensures that basic living needs are met.
Groceries to Go
- Puts happy volunteers with elderly people who may be able to cook for themselves, but have no reliable or consistent help with grocery shopping.
- If the person is able to get around on their own, then they provide transportation to and from the grocery store as well as assist clients with shopping as well as putting groceries away.
- If the person happens to be mobility impaired, then the person collects the list of what is needed, as well as the payment for what they will cost. Then does the shopping for them.
Handy Wheels
- Volunteers perform safety-related home repairs and improvements.
- Complete big tasks, such as installing a new doorbell system or even locks and safety grab bars, to improve the safety and your well-being in your home.
- Volunteers will also undertake the simple tasks you need done such as, changing a lightbulb, changing batteries in a smoke detector, or raking your yard of those pesky fallen leaves!
- All volunteers provide their own tools and have basic knowledge of home installation, and setup the best time for you!
Congregate Meals
- Meals are served 5-7 days a week. The meals are served at churches, senior community centers, schools, community centers, and senior housing buildings. Congregate meals are served in all 50 states.
- You must be at least 60 years old to receive a hot and nutritious meal. There is no set price and price may vary by facility, but most offer meals for free, while a small donation is encouraged.
- Diabetic, birthday, and ethnic menus are available at most locations. It’s a great way for seniors to socialize with seniors in their area.
- The Local Area Agency on Aging funds the programs and you can receive more information by calling the national Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Remember that these are just a select few of the programs that are offered to help not only just elderly retired people, but disabled homebound persons as well. As you get older your focus should be on enjoying life, so why not make things a little easier? You can take a look online about these programs, which will give you more information as well as a phone number, and how to get yourself started!