Planning and getting help with meals

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Eating the right food can help to keep you and the person you care for healthy. You need to make sure the person has food that’s nutritious, that they like, and that they can eat.

How to plan meals

A bit of planning and organisation can be a big help when it comes to eating well. You can:

  • shop online and arrange home delivery for your shopping or for takeaway food
  • buy pre-prepared meals
  • buy staples (food that lasts a long time – for example, canned or frozen vegetables, pasta and rice)
  • cook a large batch of soup, stew or casserole and freeze in individual meal-size portions
  • ask friends, family or a support carer to cook for you

The Eat for health website has more information about healthy eating and meal planning, and NSW Government offers advice on healthy eating for busy people.

Getting help with meals

If you find it hard to shop and prepare food, there are many services that can help you out.

  • Not-for-profit groups such as Meals on Wheels or Australian Red Cross – deliver cooked, chilled or frozen meals to people’s homes. Some groups provide meals for people of particular backgrounds, cultures or religions and can also meet dietary needs such as gluten intolerance. There may be a small fee
  • Commonwealth Home Support Programme – gives basic support for people aged over 65, including help with cooking and advice from a dietitian. Cooked meals may be provided at home or at a community centre. A home support assessment will find out what help you need
  • Home Care Packages – provide services for people aged over 65, which can include help preparing meals, using eating utensils or eating. Help is also available with special diets for health, religious, cultural or other reasons
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – can fund help for people with disability, including planning and cooking meals or getting meals delivered. The scheme also funds training in home care to encourage independence and may pay for products that can help with meal preparation
  • State and territory programs
  • Local government programs – such as Mornington Peninsula Shire’s meals on wheels service
  • Neighbourhood and community centres and churches – often have cafes and restaurants with free or subsidised (cheaper for you) meals

Special diets

People with a medical condition and older people sometimes need to follow a special diet. For example, if the person you care for has:

  • food allergies, they will need a diet that avoids the foods they are allergic to
  • diabetes, they will need a diet based on breads, cereals, vegetables and fruits that is low in fat, salt and sugar
  • kidney disease, they will need a diet low in salt, potassium and protein

You can get advice about special diets from your doctor or a dietician.

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