Thread: Meals for Elderly Father

Originally Posted by ptquilts

I am just curious, what would he do on his own? Would he not eat, or eat junk food?
It sounds like he is in pretty good shape mentally if he is still driving. Does he do his own shopping?

Actually, he would just go out to eat. He does his own shopping now that my mom has passed, but he still does not cook.

We were out today buying some frozen meals for him (that I had coupons for) and he pointed to a sit-down burger joint (I think it was called Diamond burgers) and he said "don't get a burger there - it was $11 for a burger and fries". Before my Mom passed, they NEVER went out to eat.

:lol: So this in an update on the situation ... thanks to everyone who commented and offered suggestions!

We contacted the local Senior center, and they have a weekday meal program where they serve lunch and ask for a $5 donation. Warm, homecooked meal and lots of interaction. "Lots of old people there" he told me :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: "Dad, you're old too! You're 84!" I told him....."No, older than that"! :lol: :lol: :lol: My father does not think he is old...he will probobly live to be over 100 years old.

Then I checked the grocery ads for sales on frozen meals. Smart Ones (by Weight Watchers) and Healthy Choice were on sale and had alot of options that had a sodium content of between 500 - 700 Mg sodium per serving/box. I paired those with coupons that I had, so he got 20 meals for an average of less than $2.00 a meal. Then I found out that Walmart has the same selection and cheaper than the grocery stores sale ads! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

So, he is set for 20 days...and we will see how that works for him. Lasagna, chicken parmegan, meatloaf, salsbury steak, swedish meatballs, oriental chicken, and others. Hopefully they are tasty enough and satisfying.

Sounds like a great solution! Will be interested to hear how this works out longer term! My brother goes to a senior center for lunch every day and has made lots of friends there.

it's great to hear about a senior being able to stay in his own home and enjoy life. Tell him from me, Rock On!!

Originally Posted by ptquilts

it's great to hear about a senior being able to stay in his own home and enjoy life. Tell him from me, Rock On!!

:thumbup:

Latest update.

The Smart Ones and Healthy Choice were not "substantial" enough and he had to have 2 in order to feel full. Not a good option!

Senior center works great for lunchtime meals. He goes there 3-4 times a week, gets a great homecooked meal and gets to socialize.

We brought over one of our older freezers to store meals and I cook all day to make meals for him. Week before last I made 64 meals and filled up both of his freezers. He has a variety of 4 or 5 different meals which are quick and easy for me to mass produce.

Taco soup, spaghetti with meat sauce, chili with chicken, vegetable beef soup. I also grill a large package of hamburger patties and turkey burgers. Then put 4 or so in a freezer ziplock bag that he can take out and reheat for a burger.

He has requested lasagna for next time, so I have been looking for recipes that I think would be tasty to add to the mix.

My sister also has him over to dinner every Sunday and sends leftovers with him.

He has learned to make scrambled eggs and sautes zucchini or yellow squash to add in.

Very interesting discovery this has been, too bad there are not more healthy choices for the seniors.

glad to hear everything is going well!!