Furious about lack of deliveries for the elderly.

[emilycl]

My parents are nearly 80 and don't live close to us. They have been trying to order food online. All slots have gone for Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Ocado. The Sainsbury's website says:

We’re prioritising vulnerable customers for delivery
We’re really sorry, but we haven’t been able to identify you as one of our elderly, vulnerable or disabled customers.

But you can't identify yourself as elderly! There is a phone number at the bottom of the page but it is always busy. Once they got through and you get to an automated system that never gets you anywhere.

How are they meant to buy any food? How can you identify yourself as elderly to get priority?

Yanbu. My MIL is elderly with dementia and in the highest risk category. Due to staffing shortage her carers can't get food for her. We're 300 miles away and I can't get food delivery slots. It's very worrying.

Morrison’s have started their food box delivery? www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/

Innitogether Also sold out when I checked,

Contact their local Mutual Aid groups. Someone local will hopefully be able to help

I just don’t know. I’m desperately worried about my 86 parent who is housebound. I had to go at the weekend and stock her up plus do some household jobs. I’ve had people tutting at me for going in the house but what’s the alternative? No delivery slots available. I’ve tried Morrisons boxes but there are no slots I think I will keep trying that option. I’m terrified too that if I get sick I can’t help her. Also scared that in running her errands I’ve already increased my exposure.

Keep checking the websites as they become available. I got a click and collect slot earlier for Tesco. I left the home delivery slots (usually get weekly delivery) for someone without a car. I am an at risk group and single parents so really needs to try and get a delivery every 2wks at least (or click and collect preferably now). If you keep going on you should get a cancellation

Does anyone know the lead time on the Morrisons boxes? Could I book one for say two weeks time?

OP - local milkman? Local butcher? Veg box delivery?

The response of small traders seems variable. I’m in a village and there are several options. My parent is 30 miles away in an industrial town and there appear to be no local delivery options. I’ve joined Facebook pages for the area and have drawn a blank.

Does anyone know what time of day Tesco open up the next delivery slots? I keep waiting but can’t ever seem to catch it before they’re full up

I’m in the same position OP. My mum , 82 with several serious underlying conditions and very frail, lives 200 miles away. I have struggled to find any delivery slots. I made a hamper for her if immediate basics and posted at the Post Office.
The lady there informed me that my parcel , in a boot sized box, would be sent via Parcel Force as Royal Mail wouldn’t be delivering. Postage was over £26 pounds.
Not sure what else I can do now.

Where in the country are you? Try local farms, they normally do a veg box and dairy essentials and deliver at minimal cost. We are in Bolton and Oliver Kay do next day deliveries. They also have a place in Wednesbury I think

Contact your parent's local parish or borough council to find out who is co-ordinating an 'official' volunteer response, and then ask for help on their behalf to get some groceries delivered. They will know what local companies are delivering. Or go on the village/town Facebook group and ask. It may not be what they usually buy or would want if they had the choice, but you will be able to get basics delivered.

Our local council has a number for vulnerable people. Also second calling any small local shops, my mum had a card through from her local shop today saying to phone them if she needs anything! Good luck.

Worried, upset fair enough. Furious? At who? Everybody is working their backside off to try and make a dent to help with what they can. There are 12 million people over 65 in the UK and millions upon millions of vunerable people. There aren’t ever going to be enough online grocery slots for everyone. People are doing what they can. I appreciate it’s worrying but there’s nobody to be ‘furious’ at.

I appreciate it’s worrying but there’s nobody to be ‘furious’ at

This. I'm considered to be high risk too and I can't get a slot. It isn't just the elderly who are 'vulnerable' (I hate using that word in relation to myself).

If I absolutely HAVE to be furious, I'll be furious at the bumholios who book up delivery slots into the next three months by sticking two bottles of expensive spirits in the basket then going back in three weeks time to edit it.

It's reasonable to be angry. The government had weeks, months even, to organise something. We had the advantage other more unfortunate countries didn't. We had warning time. They could have arranged in advance for priority slots for elderly and other vulnerable people - underlying conditions or disabled housebound. They should've not allowed orders more than a week in advance and banned multiple slot reservations. From now going forwards that's what needs to happen. Book only the week of delivery and only one delivery every other week - with exceptions if there's a particular medical or similar need for more frequent delivery.

I'm sorry you're struggling OP. Would something like this help? alimento.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=alimento&utm_term=nonbrand&utm_content=homedelivery&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6ObHvfOx6AIVjLHtCh3SbQYEEAMYASAAEgKFA_D_BwE It's aimed at those with swallowing difficulties but it's food and they deliver.

Try the council where your parent lives. They should have some info on what support is available for vulnerable people.

Try Iceland. They’re only booking slots for pensioners.

It is awful for everyone, there are no deliveries now, maybe try a local facebook page, can you contact a neighbour and forward some cash by PayPal. Whilst I do feel terrible sorry for people it has been obvious for at least a month.
I don't understand why people have decided to panic the last week.
Can you ask on here if anyone lives close to your mother, though again it is very late to start looking for help now.

It's reasonable to be angry. The government had weeks, months even, to organise something. We had the advantage other more unfortunate countries didn't. We had warning time Exactly the government had time, so did the public, some personal responsibility is needed.

We’re prioritising vulnerable customers for delivery
We’re really sorry, but we haven’t been able to identify you as one of our elderly, vulnerable or disabled customers.

But you can't identify yourself as elderly! There is a phone number at the bottom of the page but it is always busy. Once they got through and you get to an automated system that never gets you anywhere.

I had the same message.

There is a whole thread of us (disabled/medically vulnerable/elderly) having the same battle with Sainsbury’s. Hopefully as the week wears on, it will get easier to get through to the helpline and get prioritised for delivery slots.

Thread;

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3858539-Sainsburys-update?pg=1&order=

As I was saying, there are only a limited number of people who qualify, and presumably they managed to correctly identify SOME of the correct people originally, so the pressure on the helpline is bound to ease after a couple of days, as they add more people.

I'm in the same boat, I've never bothered with online ordering from the supermarkets as I live in dread of the substitutions but also I struggle to make a min order given I buy fruit, veg, meat, bread at local shops.
However I do shop for an elderly lady (94). Luckily I'd stocked her up on heavy stuff (tins, loo rolls) prior to the shortages, but she does have gluten free ready meals (allergy), salad, and ham/meat to go with it.
I've struggled to find tomatoes (and my home growns are not ready yet), so thought online would be the way to go - no times available

What a worry for you. Is there nothing small and local for delivery we have a small company that delivers fresh food and veg and another which is a small convenience store and both get to you the same day you place the order. A little more expensive but worth it to get what you need. Good luck