Advice for an 85 year old who has asthma and needs to get groceries?
My 85 year old dad has asthma and has been sheltering safely at home two weeks ago since the COVID-19 pandemic. Grocery stores in his area are open for curbside pickup, but none seem to be offering delivery right now. I called one of the local large chains in his area, and their website is not processing orders. I do not believe him walking through the aisles among other shoppers is an option since he has pre-existing lung condition. Is it safe for him to order online, then drive to a curb side location and ask the workers to load the bags in the car? What is a good practice under these conditions? He is seriously scared to leave the house and even allow himself to be within 10 feet of anyone or handle bags others have touched. What do you think would be a good and safe approach?
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Good luck and good health to you both!
If only option is Dad going to collect he can call store before heading out (if they answer) & ask they bring it out. Pop the boot/trunk for staff to put in. That's what my Dad does. If not, wear mask to collect.
Once home, don't put the bags on the bench tops. Limit to one place on the floor (can wipe it later). I haven't started wiping down every tin but just being conscious about to where the bags & boxes go. But I do wash hands after unpacking & before eating every time.
He will still need to get some exercise, get some sunshine & air etc. Has he good a good veliable news source? So he gets the facts. That may help with the fear.
There is a real risk of depression for many. I Itart work early & see a few elderly people going for a walk at dawn. They are balancing their need to live & exercise but limiting their risk as much as possible by heading out when it's quiet.
It's great you are looking out for him & maybe you can call him more often. If he's tech savvy, a messenger/WhatsApp type app may be good to contact you & other rellies too.
Same if he does curbside pick up. Place the groceries in the trunk. He won’t need to be close to the workers. Otherwise, wear a mask while they load up the car. The trunk option may reduce his anxiety some.
It is so unsettling. I have asthma and have been hospitalized for it in the past. It’s horrifying not being able to breathe.
I have been on breathing machines. I do have inhalers. I feel like your dad. I haven’t gone out. My husband has been going to the store.
For myself and my family, I feel safer and more confident getting my items myself. My thought process is this: people working for these private grocery delivery services are not independently wealthy people, they're low-paid hourly workers...the very people most likely to go to work when they're sick because they literally cannot afford not to.
If I were forced to rely on someone else, I would opt for the curbside pickup, where the store employees bring the items out. I figure the store manager has a vested interest in keeping sick workers home and out of the store; those employees are also more likely to be getting some form of pay when they're out sick, since most big chain stores by me seem to be providing some sort of sick pay to their employees.
It’s an explanation of how everything is sterilized. Interesting to see.
I left mom with four options.
(1) delivery from her favorite grocery store. Discard the bags and wash hands thoroughly.
(2) sign up for a meal-delivery service. I signed up with Freshly and Schwan.
(3) order delivery from local restaurants.
(4) get Meals on Wheels delivered.
I heard a medical expert say we only need to worry about ingesting enough water and adequate calories during this critical time.
I don't think anything is 100% safe these days. I make choices that are "safer" and "smarter" and I'm willing to make sacrifices in favor of common sense. I am frustrated by the casual recklessness and selfishness in my family, my community, and in some of the threads here. Had to get that last part off my chest, LOL. Stay safe, everyone.
We are a caring loving group of people who care deeply and are trying to make it easier for our seniors in this time of need. As a family owned company and now my son (yes the third generation) we a re trying to make a difference in seniors lives but delivering great tasting nutritious meals to everyone.
Here is a good video on bringing groceries and carry out into the home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjDuwc9KBps
Touching things will not give him the virus. It is putting his hands to his face afterwards. He should wipe the outsides of cans and boxes with a rag dipped in bleach water., The items can air dry or he can dry them with a clean towel before putting them away. If he has produce, it can be soaked in bleach water for a minute and then in cleat water for a minute before putting it away (Old missionary trick), Discard the bags. He should then clean the counters the bags were on. Lastly, wash his hands vigorously while singing "Happy Birthday" twice.
Produce bleach water is 1 spoonful of bleach to 1 gallon of water.
Cleaning bleach water is 1/2 Cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Rinse with clear water afterwards for stone and metal surfaces.
Contact his neighbor for assistance.
Contact senior service.
Why can’t you take your dad food?
I also appriciate your suggessition, First need to inform neighbour then home care services. Almost need his direct involbment.
I am on Nextdoor and many people are offering to help others. Suggest you sign up there. Also call his town’s senior center and/or town hall to see what programs are set up to assist. Obviously you are not close by. Try to get more frozen and canned items so a shopping trip can last 3 weeks. If possible. Be safe everyone! ❤️🙏❤️
He can wear a mask and gloves, drive up open his vehicle go back and sit in his car til they finish loading up.
HEB just started free home delivery where you order on line, pay with a credit card, ect and they will give you a time and leave it on your porch.
I would do that and then encourage dad to wear gloves, mask and something to cover his clothes while he picks them up and puts them away. Reminding his that he needs to wash his hands and not touch his face.
I would also tell him to put a towel over the table and set all of his groceries on there, then he can throw that right in the washer with whatever he wore over his clothes.
I know that it has to be simple and easy for my dad or he won't do it.
I hope that you find a good solution and that you all stay well and safe.
I hope your father is already signed up for Meals on Wheels, as they have strict protocols in place already for food prep & delivery. That would ensure at least one hot meal a day for him while he is sheltering in place. Contact his local church/food pantry for food box delivery if available and then look at purchasing other items. The prices are already going up. I appreciate your efforts to find him assistance.
Does he have a trusted friend/neighbor whom he can rely on? Lots of great suggestions above.
Let's also keep this fact in mind: the virus HAS been around us since December 2019. MANY of us have already had it without knowing it. And we have survived. The vast majority who do contract the virus will have a MILD case of it and WILL recover. When we look at the statistics, we lose sight of these facts and tend to focus on the mortality rate rather than the recovery rate.
Wishing you & your dear dad the best of luck moving forward.