It's hard to eat well when we're tired or don't feel well.  Arthritis can make it hard to open food containers or to lift pots and pans. Low salt and low fat diets don't have the taste and texture of the comfort foods we've grown up with. If our memory is unreliable, we might not remember to eat at all. Poor nutrition is often the result.

Poor nutrition is one of the biggest health problems of elderly people living at home.  When we improve nutrition we often see improvements in memory, balance, infections and energy levels. 

If you live close enough you can bring over meals from your house. A lot of caregivers start out doing this. Then they discover the meals are piling up, uneaten, in the refrigerator. 

Supermarket freezers overflow with easy-to-fix microwave meals. For the most part they look pretty tasty and the portion sizes are good, but watch out for incredibly high sodium (salt) content. They're expensive, too, and not much fun to eat alone day after day.

You could also hire someone to come in regularly to do a little light housework and prepare meals. This option works very well for many seniors.

Community Nutrition Programs

Nutrition programs provide meals, in group setting such as senior centers, community centers, churches and synagogues. Many offer an opportunity for socializing and recreation in the morning and afternoon along with a noon meal. Fees, if they are charged, are usually very reasonable.

For nutrition programs in your city or county check with your local community and senior centers or a local geriatric professional. The Elder Care Locator at your local Area Agency on Aging may also have information.

Home Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)

"Meals on Wheels", as these programs are often called, may be an excellent option for an elder who is not able to get out and who would benefit from a hot meal. Sometimes an elder will not have much interest in cooking a meal for one. If a hot meal is delivered, however, it will usually be eaten.

"Meals on Wheels" are usually delivered at mid-day during the week. On Friday some programs will also deliver one or two cold meals to be saved for the weekend. Many meals on wheels programs are supported by charitable groups, as well as some government funds, so costs are kept reasonable. Some use a sliding fee scale to insure that no hungry senior goes without.
To find out if home delivered meals would be a good option for you, check with your local senior center, a geriatric professional, or your Area Agency on Aging.