Food shopping issues - The Elderly Parent

If you haven’t taken over your elderly parent’s food shopping or insisted on going with them, you may want to start. Not only will they start to buy things they already have in abundance but they won’t buy the things they need, such as fresh food.

Overbuying

My Mom was constantly overbuying things she already had. At one point, I counted 15 boxes of garbage bags, 5 jars of peanut butter, and enough paper towels to last a lifetime all in her garage storage cabinet. The problem is, that your elderly parent may forget to make a shopping list before they go food shopping. Then, when they go shopping they walk around the store putting things in their cart “just in case” they need them. This is not only a waste of money but, if it’s food, it can turn into a lot of wasted food because there’s no way they can drink 6 half gallons of milk before the milk expires.

Expired food

I was horrified the first time I went through my Mom’s freezer and saw food with expiration dates of over a year ago. This made me take a closer look at all the food in her pantry and refrigerator. It was quite an eye-opener to see food in her pantry that was over 3 years past its expiration dates.

Healthy food

If you don’t do the food shopping or insist on going with them, it is very likely that they will not make healthy choices when it comes to the food that they buy. Eating healthy can be even more important for an elderly parent because they will likely have certain dietary needs such as foods that high in certain vitamins that they need. Or, they may have developed certain allergies such as lactose intolerance where they can’t have anything with dairy in it. At one point, my Mom lost 15 pounds in 3 months because she was having a lot of digestive issues. So I brought her to the doctor and it turned that she developed a lactose intolerance. Once I got rid of all the dairy products in her kitchen and bought some Lactaid pills, her weight digestive issues went away and her weight leveled off.

Other reasons why you should take your elderly parent food shopping:

Preventing Confusion and Overwhelm

Reason: Grocery stores can be overwhelming for someone with Alzheimer’s due to the bright lights, large crowds, and wide variety of choices.
How It Helps: A companion can guide them through the store, help focus their attention, and simplify decisions, reducing stress and confusion.

Ensuring Proper Nutrition

Reason: People with Alzheimer’s may forget essential items or struggle to choose healthy food options.
How It Helps: A caregiver can help select nutritious items and ensure that all the necessary ingredients for meals are purchased.

Managing Money and Transactions

Reason: Handling money, remembering PIN numbers, or using credit cards can be challenging for someone with Alzheimer’s.
How It Helps: A companion can assist with payments, avoiding potential mistakes or awkward situations at the checkout counter.

Preventing Wandering or Getting Lost

Reason: Alzheimer’s can cause disorientation, making it easy for someone to lose their way in a store or on their way there and back.
How It Helps: A caregiver ensures the person stays safe and avoids wandering into unfamiliar areas.

Simplifying the Shopping Experience

Reason: Alzheimer’s can impair the ability to plan or follow a list, leading to forgotten items or duplicate purchases.
How It Helps: A companion can use a shopping list, keep the trip organized, and make sure everything needed is purchased.

Providing Emotional Support

Reason: Navigating a busy public place can be stressful for someone with Alzheimer’s.
How It Helps: Having a familiar face nearby provides reassurance and emotional comfort during the outing.

Handling Social Interactions

Reason: Alzheimer’s can make social interactions difficult, and misunderstandings may arise with store employees or other shoppers.
How It Helps: A companion can assist with communication, defusing any potential misunderstandings or awkward moments.

Preventing Impulse Buying

Reason: Someone with Alzheimer’s might pick up unnecessary or inappropriate items due to impulsiveness or confusion.
How It Helps: A caregiver can gently guide their choices and ensure the shopping stays on track.

Promoting Safety

Reason: Navigating crowded aisles, using heavy carts, or carrying bags can pose physical challenges or risks.
How It Helps: A companion can handle heavy lifting, push the cart, and ensure their loved one avoids slips or falls.

Turning It into a Positive Experience

Reason: With Alzheimer’s, outings can be more than just tasks—they can be opportunities for engagement and enjoyment.
How It Helps: Shopping together allows for social interaction, shared moments, and even fun, helping maintain a sense of normalcy and connection.

Conclusion

Accompanying someone with Alzheimer’s to the grocery store is about more than just shopping. It’s an act of caregiving that ensures their safety, supports their well-being, and turns a potentially stressful task into a manageable and even enjoyable experience.