Grocery shopping can be difficult for anyone, but especially for those with HOD and other disabilities. In fact, it can seem so overwhelming and impossible that you may want to skip it altogether. And to be clear, it is absolutely OK to do that! But what if you don’t have a care partner or neighbor to help you? How do you get the items you need?
Well, funny you should ask because we just so happen to have a handy-dandy survival guide all written up and ready for you here!
Prep makes shopping with HOD a whole lot easier
Everyone knows that flying by the seat of your pants isn’t the best idea when you have medical complexities and disabilities to contend with. How to prepare for these excursions seems like a daunting task. Let us break it down for you a bit here.
Meal plan
Meal planning can remove a lot of the guesswork when you are at the store shopping with HOD. Creating meal plans helps you to make sure you have what you need on hand for you Tuesday lunch or Sunday dinner. Think about dietary restrictions, maybe throwing in a new recipe now and again, and what your days will look like ahead of time. Which leads us to our next point…
Make a list….Check it twice
Creating shopping lists is imperative. After all, it takes SOOO much effort to get to the store. The last thing you want to do is realize you are actually out of coffee when you wake up the next morning. We like to keep a running list on our counter and we add to it as we run out of things. Then I use that list and our meal plan to create a big shopping list before I go to the store.
Plan the outing
In order to make the most of sales, coupons, and other promotions, plan what day is best to go and which store(s) you will be attending. Some stores have senior shopping discount days. Some have senior shopping hours. Take advantage of those when you can by planning ahead. Call the store or send an email inquiry if you aren’t sure what might be offered in your area. You don’t want to miss out on an extra 10% in savings!
Furthermore, avoid weekends if you can. Weekday mornings are often least crowded and the shelves are often well-stocked. Late afternoons and evenings can be tricky, even during the week so avoid those times when you can.
Packing for shopping with HOD
Packing to get out the door requires a bit of thinking ahead but you will be glad you did it once you’re there, we promise! A few things you don’t want to forget include:
- A reacher or grabber. This can help you reach items low to the ground or on higher shelves.
- Water. Keeping hydrated is so important and often overlooked.
- A small snack. Keep your blood sugar in check. No matter you typical levels, having a snack will help you retain energy and mental clarity throughout your trip.
- Rescue medications, mobility aids you often rely on, and/or rescue medications.
- Wallet, keys, reusable bags (if you use them).
Your arrival
Getting yourself to the store will be the first thing to plan. Are you driving? Will you have a friend, family member, neighbor drive you? Maybe you have a good public transportation system you can rely on? Make those plans while keeping your desired times/days in mind.
Once there, be sure to park in an accessible spot if applicable and try to avoid parking next to that giant pothole or on the edge on a busted curb. Look out for big puddles, and broken pavement. No one needs a painful and embarrassing slip and fall on the way out with a cart full of groceries after shopping with HOD!
Getting the items you need safely
Remember that grabber/reacher we suggested? This is that prop’s time to shine! Use it as often as you need to. And don’t be afraid to ask for help reaching items from shelves and getting them into your cart. Employees and even fellow shoppers are most-always eager to help. Don’t be shy!
Consider necessary preparations for the items on your list. Maybe you need to buy some whole fruit and some pre-cut in case you are struggling to use your hands one day. Or perhaps it might be a good idea to buy a few frozen meals to have on hand for days when cooking is unrealistic given your health on a particular day. Also take appointment days into account. No one wants to cook a whole meal straight away after coming home from a long appointment. These all all things to consider when picking your items.
Completing your purchase
There are so many employees at the front end of the store who are paid to help you! Low vision creating a barrier to using the electronic keypad while shopping with HOD? Speak up. Let the cashier help you select the right options. Are heavy items too difficult to lift out of the cart and onto the belt? Let the bagger or cashier come take them out for you. Take full advantage of the staff on hand to help you with your purchase.
Also, let the bagger or other staff member assist you by carrying your items to the car and placing them in your trunk or back seat for you. They are often happy for a quick walk out in the fresh air during their shift so they will likely jump at the chance to help out.
Be sure to remember to use coupons or benefits cards for purchases and don’t forget to check the store’s app on your smartphone! Many stores offer digital coupons that are even better than paper coupons. If you aren’t sure how to use them, ask a cashier or at the customer service counter. The customer service counter is often a good place to direct questions and comments as their whole job is to answer questions and make customers feel welcome in their stores.
Other options for shopping with HOD
Perhaps going grocery shopping with HOD or another disability is just too hard. Maybe it is out of the question temporarily or even permanently. Not to worry! There are ways to manage that, too.
You can order your items for curbside pick up. If we gained one positive thing out of the pandemic it was curbside pick up. You can go on the websites from your smartphone or on a computer or tablet and place the order, choose your pickup window and then follow the directions to retrieve your items without ever leaving your car. This is great for folks who rely on rides to go places. Be on the lookout for fees associated with this service as some stores do charge extra.
Delivery services are wonderful for folks who can’t get out of the house. I use them during the holiday rush often since the crowds are a lot to handle. Shipt, Instacart, Walmart, DoorDash, or AmazonFresh are great options. Again, look for fees associated with these services.
With a little bit of planning, going grocery shopping with HODA or other disabilities is doable. What would you add to this list for a successful shopping with HOD trip?
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