Senior meal delivery services in Austin
Austin senior meal service reviews are a great resource for those looking for a reliable option to help support the nutritional needs of an aging loved one. You should also look for a service that offers a wide variety of the types of foods your loved one prefers. This can help them transition into the new routine of not cooking for themselves. In addition to the dietary options, it’s also important to take into consideration the amount of prep and work that is required with various services. Some require simple heating of meals while others require more extensive prep.
Finally, it’s important to take budgetary restrictions into consideration. It is possible that some or all of the cost could be covered by private insurance and Medicare. If this doesn’t cover all of the cost, there are also state and federal programs that are designed to ensuring seniors receive proper daily nutrition that may be able to provide additional assistance.
Facts and figures behind senior nutrition in Austin
How much does senior nutrition in Austin cost?
The cost of senior nutrition in Austin depends on a variety of factors, including the frequency of meal deliveries, the types of meals being delivered, and the amount of prep work that is done by the service versus the amount done by the recipient. Research conducted in September of 2021 is detailed in the chart below.
Service | Average Entree Cost | Senior-Specific | Special Diets | Preparation | Delivery |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Meals On Wheels | Sliding scale | Yes | Yes | Ready to eat | Delivered by volunteers on weekdays |
Meal Pro | $8.99-19.99 | Yes | Yes | Ready to heat | Shipped via FedEx |
Lucky Lime | $13.00 | No | Yes | Ready To heat | Delivered by a staff member on weekdays |
Silver Cuisine | $8.99 and up | Yes | Yes | Ready to heat | Delivered via FedEx |
As you begin to consider various meal delivery services, remember to think carefully about your loved one’s ability to contribute to the preparation of a meal. Are they willing and able to do some of the prep work or would they prefer the meals be delivered completely cooked and ready to heat or perhaps warm and ready to eat?
Who suffers from food insecurity in Austin?
The age group most likely to suffer from food insecurity is surprisingly not the oldest tier. Rather, it is the younger portion of the senior population who are between the ages of 65 and 69 that are the most likely to be in need of nutrition assistance. The least likely age group is those that are over the age of 80.
Another interesting finding of the report was that food insecurity among seniors who were separated or divorced was more than three times greater than their married counterparts. When seniors live alone it becomes even more important to ensure their nutritional needs are being met. Working with a meal service provider can help to automate the process and make it easier.
The benefits of senior meal service in Austin
While meeting your loved one’s nutritional needs may be the driving factor behind locating a meal service provider, proper nutritional support has many other benefits as well. One study found seniors taking part in an elderly nutrition program (ENP) have higher levels of socialization which can lead to greater emotional and mental health and overall feelings of wellbeing.
They also found there were lower levels of diabetes among those who were participating in an ENP. This could be due to the healthier food choices offered by providers working with the ENP or that seniors who are preparing their own meals frequently result to lower quality food that is easier to prepare.
Find senior meal services in Austin
Aging in place is not a destination, it’s a journey. Helping your loved one retain their independence requires flexibility and compassion. Get access to the support your loved one needs by browsing senior meal service in Austin reviews to find an option that can meet their dietary and budgetary needs.