Grocery Delivery Guide for Seniors Over 60

Long lines, crowded aisles, and germs galore – sound familiar? That’s right — we’re talking about the grocery store.

While some find it therapeutic to take long walks through the produce aisle, there are many seniors who would rather skip the trip and have their groceries delivered.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home orders and recommendations for seniors to stay out of crowded public areas to avoid getting sick, grocery delivery has become a far more widespread commodity.

Whether you are staying safe from COVID-19, have limited mobility, or a host of other reasons, here is your intro to grocery delivery for seniors.

How Do You Get Groceries Delivered?

Food delivery is the age-old delicacy. We all knew that your favorite pizza and Chinese food could show up steaming at your door, but the delivery revolution has expanded even further.

Now, it’s not only possible, but easy as pie, to get your groceries delivered right to your door. Not only is this incredibly convenient, but it is also necessary for many seniors.

When arranging for your groceries to get delivered, most of the process will occur online. After selecting your desired products off of your favorite store’s website and adding them to your cart, a trained shopper will pick them up off the shelves before they go into the hands of the delivery crew.

You can browse and shop to your heart’s desire and choose whether to use a delivery service, or your local store’s delivery program.

Can I Get Grocery Delivery Directly From My Local Store?

Many of your favorite grocery stores are expanding their services to include delivery.

Walmart

• Shop online using the Walmart website.
• All orders must be over $35.  ‍
• Walmart charges a per-delivery fee from $7.95 to $9.95‍
• If you try getting your groceries delivered and love it, you can sign up for Walmart+, which is $12.95 a month. This includes free grocery delivery, free shipping, fuel discounts and more. This also includes a 15-day free trial of the membership, so you can try before you buy!
  

Whole Foods

• If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can get free grocery delivery from your local Whole Foods.
• This usually takes about two hours from the store to your doorstep (or more depending on local availability).

Call your local grocery store to see if they have a grocery service, or search online “grocery delivery near me” to see more options.

If your local grocery store doesn’t have a specific grocery delivery program, they probably have a delivery option with a third-party company.  

Each of the following stores average a $10 delivery fee:

• Aldi
• Publix
• Kroger

Alternatively, there are grocery delivery services that are not affiliated with any specific supermarket. These include: ‍

• ‍Shipt offers same-day delivery from a variety of different stores. Their fees are dependent on items ordered and distances traveled.
• ‍Instacart offers prices ranging from $7.99 to $5.99 depending on speed of delivery from a variety of different stores, as well as a yearly membership for free delivery every time.
• ‍Boxed is a wholesale grocery delivery service that is not partnered with any specific stores. This allows the user to buy in bulk. They charge a $6.99 delivery fee for orders under $49, but for orders over that amount, delivery is free.

Which Grocery Delivery Service Is Best for Seniors?

The bottom line is the best option is always going to be unique to the individual.

The best you can do is stay informed about your options, hunt for good deals, and listen to your advocates, like Medicare Allies.  

Services such as Instacart have been hailed for their ease of use. A service like Boxed is best for those who want bulk groceries delivered. Similarly, a Whole Foods order through Amazon would be best for those who are loyal to their favorite brand.

Furthermore, it is important to be educated on which services are offered in your town. Take advantage of the ZIP code search bar that these websites offer so that you aren’t disappointed when you reach checkout.

Additionally, feel free to call your local supermarket or search “grocery delivery near me” online to learn more.

Do These Services Have Senior Discounts?

While certain stores might have senior discounts, be sure to check out the details of your Medicare Advantage plan, because certain plans offer health benefits that could include in-home grocery or meal delivery.

Reach out to us at Medicare Allies to understand and/or upgrade your Medicare plan.  

Many grocery delivery platforms do not offer senior discounts.

However, it is always worthwhile to call your local grocery store and ask.

Read More: 10 Things Medicare Advantage Plans May Cover That Original Medicare Doesn’t

Are There Other Forms of Grocery Shopping Assistance?

If grocery delivery isn’t in the budget, or there aren’t options available near you, check out buy-online pickup-in-store options.

This option would allow you to browse and shop for groceries online and pick them up either in-store or curbside. This is a great option for seniors who don’t wish to pay delivery fees, but also want to limit out-of-household contact due to COVID-19.

The following stores offer free grocery pickup for online orders over $35:  

• Kroger
• Walmart
• Publix
• And many more! 

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has been making an effort to stay home and stay safe. This is a great idea, especially for seniors who are most at-risk for serious complications due to COVID-19.

Grocery delivery is an awesome way to get your essentials while sticking to your safety regimen. It decreases your contact with others outside of your household while also maintaining your independence to receive all your grocery favorites.

With so many options, it can be hard to choose. Don’t be afraid to compare prices of the options in your area; you’ll be sure to find the best choice!

Suggested Reading: Medicare and Coronavirus: Coverage for Telehealth, Testing, and Vaccines