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Elderly parents
Original poster

Ready meal advice

86 replies

Lippy1234 · 29/01/2020 19:17

Hi, I’m new on here. My DM is 68 and has advanced Alzheimer’s, we’ve been agreed a care package for her. A call in the morning to help with medication, make her breakfast and make a sandwich for lunch. She’ll also receive an early evening call when the carer will heat up a ready meal. The plan is I’m going to do an up line shop for her once a week and be at her house when it arrived to put it all away. So my question is has anyone got any recommendation for supermarkets that do nice ready meals. My Mum likes healthy food, I don’t think she like meals such as cottage pie. I’m also trying to find meals that are not high in salt as she has high blood pressure.
The last year or so have been very difficult so I’m hoping the care package will help at least for a few months before we start looking at alternative accommodation for her.

OP posts:
Orangeblossom78 · 30/01/2020 08:48

They can use a key safe to come in and put food away for you, I have seen this place recommended on here which is not freezer meals, but vacuum packed. Like stews / made in pressure cooker. They are based in Edinburgh. Parsley Box www.parsleybox.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAmsrxBRDaARIsANyiD1r6uJzLfPukH15X5gu1f8SvNKeTYqBoD4042rg8VKLniTtSlIKXAQoaApuNEALw_wcB

Original poster
Lippy1234 · 30/01/2020 07:13

I’ll also check out Oakhouse.
Thanks again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lippy1234 · 30/01/2020 07:12

Thanks everyone, I think I’ll try the healthier looking meals from Wiltshire as they can go in the freezer. I’m also going to get an Ocado delivery each week for my DM’s breakfast ,lunch bits and fridge ready meals. That way she’ll get quite a lot of variety. I’m also going to employ a cleaner/housekeeper for a couple of times a week, then it buys a bit of time while my DB and I find a suitable care home/assisted living place.

OP posts:
msmith501 · 30/01/2020 06:37

I watched my dad rapidly lose weight on Wiltshire farm foods - simply not enough for a decent balance diet on my opinion. I ended up doing meal planning and cooking myself as part of our normal routine - easier to manage the nutritional / salt content etc and no need to be in awaiting a delivery.

ohmyword20 · 30/01/2020 05:48

Oakhouse are great. Loads of selection, many of which are microwavable, all kinds of cuisines, taste good, good quality and all frozen so you can just get a load of them and forget about it. They also do pudding and half size portions if appetite isn't what it was. They have dedicated delivery slots for each area and if you won't be in they'll leave it in a preferred place in a cool box for you. Excellent customer service on the phone too.

I'd highly recommend them.

Knotaknitter · 29/01/2020 22:51

I've been looking through the Wiltshire Farm food catalogue today with my MIL. They will put it into the freezer for her and that means they will be the back up for her. The catalogue has a photo of the meals (all nicely plated, I doubt they'd look as nice if I'd scooped them out) as well as the calorie breakdown.

It would be good it you could get some feedback as to what she likes/will/can eat. It's no good buying the meal if they won't actually eat it.

Redshoeblueshoe · 29/01/2020 22:40

My mum had the Wiltshire farm ones, handy because they cater for all sorts of diets, and she enjoyed them.

Cuddling57 · 29/01/2020 22:34

If your shopping online I can recommend Tesco. Barely any problems over two years. Weekly delivery. You can buy an annual pass too if you want to.
Absolutely no way would I use Asda again. Lots of problems each week. I've heard Ocado are good though not used them.

CMOTDibbler · 29/01/2020 22:34

The good thing with the Wiltshire FF ones is they are a complete meal with veg which most ready meals aren't. Also, as they are frozen, they give you a bit of a buffer. The puddings are good (according to my dad who thought the actual meals were bland but he is a salt fiend).
Dementia can change peoples taste in food, so be prepared to go with the flow as to what your mum wants with time. My mum was a total lentil weaving hippy, but now will only eat hash browns, cod goujons and other beige food as its easy for her to manage and see on the plate (at least this is my theory, she's pretty non verbal).

BaronessBomburst · 29/01/2020 22:34

We buy children's ready meals for DGM. Small portions, low in salt, not too spicy. If she's feeling hungry she'll do some fresh veg (or open a tin of veg) to go with it.

converseandjeans · 29/01/2020 22:32

I would say Waitrose or M&S ready meals are nicest.

madeyemoodysmum · 29/01/2020 22:29

How about meals on wheels. My mil has them and the bonus is they will come in house and it's like an extra check.

The food also arrives hot and ready to eat. It's actually very reasonably priced too

SlB09 · 29/01/2020 22:28

Morrisons do some really nice ready meals that are healthy, full of veg etc but depends what she likes to eat. They tend to be things like Thai curry (vegetarian or meat), chicken and veg etc, bonus they are on offer at the minute!

groceries.morrisons.com/webshop/product/Morrisons-Fresh-Ideas-Chicken-Green-Vegetables--Broccoli/445121011?from=shop&tags=176739%7C176768

If she's not eating much though also get deserts in that are nice and calorific, often advanced Alzheimer's/dementia patients like strong/tart flavours such as citrus, rhubarb etc as taste sensations are dulled.

Bombaybunty · 29/01/2020 22:25

We did a similar thing for my mother. We rotated between Waitrose, Oakhouse and Wiltshire.
We found that if you stick to one make it gets a bit repetitive.
Take care of yourself, it's such a difficult and draining time isn't it.

thesandwich · 29/01/2020 22:24

It is- but on this board and on the main cockroach thread you will find lots of wisdom, support and gin!

Original poster
Lippy1234 · 29/01/2020 22:22

Thank you. It’s tough isn’t it!

OP posts:
thesandwich · 29/01/2020 22:20

Martinis sound a great plan!

thesandwich · 29/01/2020 22:19

lippy you are absolutely right to go for a solution that works for you.
Wiltshire will put things away if I recall as well.
Please find ways to protect and look after yourself. 🌺

Original poster
Lippy1234 · 29/01/2020 22:19

Sorry for typos I’ve had a couple of passion fruit martinis to celebrate getting the care package!

OP posts:
Original poster
Lippy1234 · 29/01/2020 22:14

I don’t think I can take on the batch cooking plan, I literally can’t take on any more at the moment. Helping my DM has taken over my life, I am stressed, I can’t sleep. I’m hoping to find some meals that she’ll eat even if they’re only a 6 or 7/10 for her.
The salmon and new potato Wiltshire farm sounds good and I’ll checkout Ocado as they’re stuff is hardly ever out of stock.
Thank you everyone.

OP posts:
PuppyMonkey · 29/01/2020 20:41

Another vote for Wiltshire Farm Foods. They were really good with deliveries etc when my mum used to have them and she enjoyed hers - really nice salmon and new potatoes one as I recall.

FelicityBeedle · 29/01/2020 20:38

I know it’s an effort but would it be possible for you and other family to batch cook? Can personalise her favourite foods then and make them a bit healthier. All ready meals are a bit stodgy, even Wiltshire ones

gingercat02 · 29/01/2020 20:37

Wiltshire Farm Foods are descent but not as cheap as most supermarket ready meals. They.do special diet requirements (low salt diabetic etc) as well

TheQueenBeyondTheWall · 29/01/2020 20:36

If you look online there are always deals for 40% or thereabouts off your first Ocado shop.

Here is one I found for 30%. Valid till Valentine's Day.

https://www.ocado.com/content/30-off-your-first-grocery-shop-139127?dsrl=1124040&dssrl=1126015&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhKGRqtSp5wIVi7TtCh3e9g3KEAAYAiAAEgL0tvDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Lumene · 29/01/2020 20:28

Cook deliver in some areas worth checking out.

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