Getting Organized: How to Make a Shopping Plan as a Caregiver

When you’re caring for someone, you’ll quickly learn that they need special things at specific times, like medicine, for example. So, how and when you do your shopping takes on a new level of importance.

To make sure your home is well stocked with the things your loved one needs, it’s essential to plan ahead. But you may not know where to start, and that’s where we come in. Let’s start by looking at how to plan your shopping as a caregiver.

How to Plan Your Shopping

First, sit down with your loved one and write a list of what they need on a daily basis. Consider more than just food. Go through all categories of products. Think about medication, hygiene, incontinence protection, home and living aids, and any other things your loved one might need or want.

Listen carefully to them. Their needs might be different from what you expect. Later, go through the list with them to see if you’ve forgotten anything.

Your final list should include products your loved one wants. And things you know you’ll need to do an excellent job as a caregiver. Planning your shopping like this can save you a lot of stress, time, and money. Here are some tips to help you compile your list:

Food Shopping for the Elderly

• Check what your loved one likes and what they dislike – they’ll be more inclined to eat regularly if you serve their favorite foods.
• Choose nutritious products, food that’s not too high in fat or calories, taking dietary and health requirements into account.
• Make sure you don’t buy food items your loved one is allergic to.
• Ideally, meals should be easy to bite, chew, and swallow to reduce the risk of choking.

Special Dietary and Health Requirements

Grocery planning for seniors should factor in any special dietary needs. Some of these may be prescribed by a medical professional, alongside medication:

• Low-added sugar¹
• Low sodium¹
• Diabetic-friendly²
• High fiber like oatmeal, and whole wheat³

There may also be more restrictions based on risk factors or food intolerances. Here are some factors to consider when shopping for your loved ones:

Dietary Restrictions

It's always a good idea to ask their doctor about what they can and cannot eat before shopping. Some common dietary restrictions among older adults include:²

• Lactose intolerance
• Low gluten diet
• Low-sodium diet

Allergies and Sensitivities

As your loved one's age, they could develop food sensitivities because of the decline and change in their immune and digestive system.⁴

Here are ways to help them:

• Keep a record of every allergy or sensitivity they develop.
• Make sure to update your records if new ones arise.
• Bring these records when going grocery shopping.
• Read the labels carefully and make sure they are allergy-free.
• When cooking at home, use separate tools and cutting boards to prevent cross-contact with allergens.

Nutritional Supplements

Your loved one also needs some essential nutrients in their diet. You can consider getting some in supplement form, like:

• Calcium²
• Vitamin D²
• Fiber²
• Vitamin B12¹

You can get any of these nutritional supplements from many shops or pharmacies. Still, it's a good idea to ask their doctor first before buying any supplements.

Medications Planning for the Elderly

When planning for a pharmacy run, it's important to gather the necessary information from your loved one's doctor like:

• Prescriptions
• Medication lists
• Dosage instructions

Having everything in one place helps you avoid refill mistakes, missed doses, or mix-ups with medications.

Here are some tips to keep you organized:

• Collect a complete list of current prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, including dosage and frequency.
• Confirm medication schedules with your loved one’s doctor, or pharmacist.
• Use a weekly or monthly pill organizer to sort and manage doses.
• Set digital reminders or alarms to avoid missed doses.
• Keep a physical or digital record of medications for doctor's visits or in emergency situations.
• Schedule pharmacy runs in advance.
• Consider signing up for automatic medication delivery through trusted pharmacies to save time.

Hygiene and Incontinence Products

When making a caregiver’s shopping list for hygiene and incontinence products, it's important to choose products based on your loved one’s:

• Health needs
• Daily care routines
• Changing frequency

Here are some tips to help you while shopping:

• Check how often your loved one needs to be changed or bathed each day.
• Track and calculate how many products they use daily, then tally this up for the week or month.
• Choose the right type and absorbency level for incontinence pads or briefs.
• Add skin-friendly wipes, disposable gloves, barrier creams, and hand sanitizer for your loved ones' skin health and hygiene needs to your list.
• Always keep a spare supply of hygiene products for unexpected accidents.
• Look for multi-packs or bulk-buy deals to save money in the long term.
• Store products in a dry and accessible location for easy daily use.

Budget shopping for elderly care is essential when you’re caring for a loved one, especially if you’re managing a fixed income or more than one household.

Caregiving often includes regular expenses like:

• Medications
• Incontinence products
• Grocery shopping

Over time, these recurring costs can add up. That’s why creating a budget and planning can be helpful. It allows you to keep track of what you’re spending, avoid surprises, and reduce financial stress.

Here are ways to help you work with a budget while shopping for your loved ones:

Bulk Buying

Bulk buying is an effective way to save both your money and time on shopping trips. Before bulk buying, be sure to consider factors like:

• Storage space available at home
• Expiry dates on items like canned goods
• What your loved one uses most often
• Delivery logistics, especially for larger packages

Here are some items that are best bought in bulk:

• Hygiene products like wipes, gloves, and incontinence briefs.
• Non-perishable groceries like canned goods, oatmeal, and pasta.
• Household supplies like cleaning supplies and toilet paper.

There are many online stores and delivery services you can use for convenience and bulk delivery.

Utilizing Discounts and Coupons

Discounts and coupons are cost-effective solutions. You can find them by subscribing to your favorite store's newsletters or using price comparison tools and digital coupon apps. Some retailers and pharmacies even offer caregivers discounts.

So be on the lookout for:

• Supermarket discounts
• Senior discount days
• Caregivers discount
• Loyalty schemes like TENA Rewards

Exploring Financial Aid

Getting financial support can help with the financial stress that often comes with caregiving. Here are a few services and programs that may help with food, medical, or care costs:

• Eldercare Locator helps you connect with your local Area Agency on Aging, which can guide you to caregiver support services and financial aid.
• Medicaid and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) offers financial aid for eligible individuals with long-term care needs.
• RxAssist.org helps you find patient assistance programs that reduce the cost of prescription medications.
• Administration for Community Living (ACL) provides access to free or low-cost local caregiving support.
• Meals on Wheels delivers affordable or free meals to seniors who need support with food costs.

Now that you can plan and shop for your senior family member’s needs, you can read our guide to develop a care plan for your elderly parent