Older people & food
Eating well is a great way to make sure you age well. Eating a healthy diet can stop you from getting ill as you get older, so you can be independent for longer.
As we get older, it can be hard to get the food we need to keep us as healthy as possible.
On this page you can find
- Advice and support for doing online shopping
- Ideas of providers who do pre-prepared meals
- Support for staying independent at home
- Advice and resources on this page for how to eat for specific health conditions.
Lunch clubs and voluntary organisations
- Bonny Downs Community Association - BDCA run an Over 65s Active and Connected project aims to improve the health and wellbeing of local older people, which includes regular coffee morning, lunch club and arts and crafts.
- Malayalee Association of the UK – runs a Thursday Lunch club as part of their elder’s service.
- Newham Chinese Association - activities include elderly luncheon club, interest classes, library service, community projects, and festive and birthdays celebrations.
- Subco Trust - culturally and linguistically appropriate information and support and day opportunities for the Asian community.
Transport support
Accessible Transport
You may be able to use transport services such as Dial-A-Ride or the Taxicard scheme to get to or from the shops. Dial-a-Ride is TfL's free door-to-door service for those with permanent or long-term disabilities. The London Taxicard scheme provides subsidised door to door journeys in licensed taxis and private hire vehicles for London residents who have serious mobility or visual impairments.
Online grocery shopping
You can use the internet to do online grocery shopping which will be delivered to your door.
Online shopping can be helpful if you have difficulty getting out of house without help. The online list includes national retailers and local providers:
- Coop - Minimum order value £15
- Eastern European Foods – online shop that offers a broad variety of Eastern European foods, including imports directly from Ukraine, the Baltic states, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria.
- Food Plus – online polish supermarket which offers free delivery for orders over £89.99 or delivery cost of £7.99 (min order £40).
- Frozen Foods - Bangla Supermarket – Bangladeshi online supermarket
- Iceland - Minimum order value £40. Iceland has an over 60’s discount offer. If you are over the age of 60 you are eligible for 10% off your shopping every Tuesday, and with no minimum spend requirements and the discount also applies at Iceland’s sister chain, such as The Food Warehouse. Discount is available in store only. You will need to sign up for the free Iceland Bonus Card. Iceland offers an in store shopping, too heavy to carry home service. Spend £25 or more in store and they will deliver your shopping home to you in one of their special refrigerated vans, at a time that suits you.
- Kugans – online supermarket specialising in Indian foods. Offers free next delivery for order over £49
- Ocado - Minimum order value £40
- Riley’s Tropical Food Specialist – Afro-Caribbean online supermarket . Delivery £6.99.
- Sainsbury’s - Minimum order value £40. Sainsburys also does a home delivery service for orders by telephone. You speak to an assistant who takes your order for you. To use this service, customers need to register by ringing 0800 328 1700 and selecting option 1 and then option 1 again. You will get through to an assistant who will be able to register you. Next day deliveries can be placed up to 6.00pm the day before and are usually for an early slot (before 10.30am). Orders can be up to three weeks in advance.
- Seelans – Focus on South Asian Foods, Pooja items and Halal meat. Based in Manor Park offers home delivery service. +44 7988096733 (WhatsApp Only). Delivery costs from £1.29
- Tesco - Minimum order value £50 (If you’re vulnerable, disabled or elderly, your driver can still bring your shopping inside and assist with unpacking).
- Windrush Bay – specialises in Caribbean food including tropical fruit and vegetable boxes.
- Morrisons - Minimum order £25. Delivery Charges may vary depending on your delivery address
Help getting online
There is lots of training in Newham where you can learn how to do your online shopping or do other things online.
There is also a scheme where you can get a free SIM card to get data on your phone.
Delivered pre-prepared meals
If you are able to use an oven or microwave, pre-prepared meals could be a good option for you.
Many companies can now cater for dietary and cultural preferences as well as pureed options.
These can be delivered by supermarkets (see the above) or by companies such as the ones below who are specialists in frozen meals.
- Afrisian – London based provider of East and West African and Asian meals. Minimum order £35 for free delivery. 100% Halal.
- Chef Akila – Slow cooked Great Taste Award winning curries, dals and biryanis, frozen. Free delivery for orders over £49 or £7.95 for orders under £49.
- Cook – minimum order of £45, delivery charge £2.95, help with unpacking available from Cook drivers. (01732 759000)
- Express Indian Cuisine – Indian meals, frozen – free delivery minimum order £40
- Jamaica on Ice – Caribbean meals, frozen. Minimum order £35
- Oakhouse Foods – free delivery on orders over £30 and support to unpack meals away for you. (0333 370 6700)
- Parsley Box - Parsley Box meals can be stored in your cupboard for up to 6 months and do not require use of a fridge or freezer. (0131 326 0131). Free delivery for orders over £40.
- Wiltshire Farm – can provide softer foods, different portion sizes, Free From options. They deliver free across the UK and can unpack in the house if required (0800 077 3100). Free delivery.
Advice on Healthy Eating with health conditions
- NHS How to support someone you care for with eating guide
- Eating well guide: supporting older people and older people with dementia
- British Nutrition Foundation - Eating, drinking and ageing well resource
- Older people - British Nutrition Foundation
- Age UK's Healthy eating advice for the elderly
- Healthy eating and arthritis - British Nutrition Foundation
- National Council on Ageing: A Dietary Guide to Managing Diabetes for Older Adults
- Diabetes UK Older people and diabetes
Free vitamin D for Newham residents over 60 years old
If you're over 60 years old and live in Newham, you can get free vitamin D supplements (tablets) to help you stay healthy.
Equipment to help you at home
Enabled Living - We are a council owned company that offer community equipment to support people to continue to live independently in their own homes.
Kitchen and feeding aids can support you with food preparation if you have additional mobility or physical needs. Some shops that provide this equipment include:
Newham Food Alliance
If you or someone you know is struggling to afford to buy food, please contact Newham Food Alliance:
- Self-refer
- Call Monday-Friday (9am-5pm) at 07790 975 086
- Email frontdoor@newhamfoodalliance.org
Food support after hospital discharge
NHS Volunteer and Care Responders
Volunteers are available to help by collecting and delivering shopping, medication and other essential supplies. Fill out their referral form or call 0808 196 3382 to request support for yourself or someone you know.
Adult social care
If you need help to be independent at home, Adult Social Care may be able to give you an assessment to find out what support you may be eligible for.
An assessment is a discussion with you and/or your advocate to help understand your situation and needs better. Together, with a practitioner, you will talk about what help and support you could get so you can stay independent at home for as long as possible.