How can I organise home delivered meals?

Carers often worry if a family member is eating enough. Knowing a loved one is getting a proper nutritious meal can give carers peace of mind.

There are many food services that cater to the frail aged. Most food services offer a range of healthy meals delivered ready to eat or frozen to your door.

Seniors can also enjoy social meals at the local community centre or RSL. Multicultural meals and people with special dietary requirements can usually be catered for.

Meals can be delivered by a private catering company or by Meals on Wheels as part of the Home and Community Care (HACC) program.

• Call the Commonwealth Carelink Centre for information on meal services in your area on 1800 052 222.
• Contact the local council for information on senior services and volunteer organisations in your local area.
• Private nursing or domestic care agencies can organise help with shopping and meal preparation.
• Find your local Meals on Wheels 

Before organising a meal service think about how much help your family member needs with meals. People with memory loss may need you to call everyday to remind them to eat or you can try leaving instructions on a microwave to prompt a loved one to prepare a meal.

Carer Tip

"Mum was first off the rank with Meals on Wheels and when the hot meal was delivered she had really just finished eating her breakfast so she wasn't interested. We now buy frozen meals and ring her daily to remind her to eat at least one nutritious meal a day".