Grocery store shopping should be easier for independent-minded people who aren’t as mobile as they once were
1. I’ve been working on this a lot in the past month. It began when I noticed 2 elderly women that had just finished loading their groceries in their car in the handicapped parking spot. But the cart corral was some distance away. I surveyed the other 5 grocery stores in my town and found that was typical. The ADA requires a certain number of handicapped parking spaces close to the store entrance but there is no rule for where cart corrals are located.
I noticed that most stores posted the international handicapped symbol with the word “services” or “assistance” under it. But no further signage describing what that means. One manager I asked said he didn’t know what it meant and would contact corporate. Another chain store manager said they had a pamphlet explaining what disabilities services they offered but couldn’t find one when I was there.
The other day, I noticed a guy using one of the motorized carts to shop in the checkout line. So I waited outside to observe how he got his packages to the car. After he got his packages unloaded and brought the motorized cart back, I noticed he only had one leg. He had a walker and very slowly made his way back to his car while cars waited. I asked him if the store would let him drive up and put his packages in his car. He said he didn’t think they would.
I think the problem isn’t so much that stores refuse to help shoppers with limited mobility. I think they want to help. Maybe the big problem is simply that people don’t know what help is available and stores could do a better job of telling customers that they are ready and willing to make shopping easier for those who aren’t as mobile as they used to be.
I’m going to try to develop a questionnaire that could provide some real data from people at senior centers.
A guide to grocery store delivery apps
2. An alternative to in-store shopping is to have groceries delivered. It adds to your food bill but can be an alternative. Grocery store trips can be physically demanding, involving substantial walking, bending down and lifting. And there’s the aforementioned issue of getting the groceries to your car, not to mention getting them to your kitchen.
Here are some key elements to look for in an online food and grocery delivery platform:
- Ease of use: Adding items to your cart and completing online transactions should be as easy as a few clicks. The delivery platform’s website or mobile app should be straightforward to use and navigate.
- Quick delivery: You should be able to receive your orders as soon as possible, ideally within a couple of hours. Real-time delivery tracking can help you gauge when your order will arrive.
- Affordability: Many grocery and food delivery apps offer subscription plans. These memberships provide features like order and delivery discounts.
- Broad selection: The best delivery services allow access to a wide range of stores and products. They also offer alternatives for out-of-stock items.
For more on grocery store home delivery, go here.
Best shoes to reduce falls
3. I do balancing exercises every day by standing on one foot for 20 seconds. At least I try. I’ve noticed that I do better with certain shoes. Does that mean those shoes are the ones I should be wearing more often to reduce falls?
Not necessarily. Shoes that let you balance better on one foot are a useful clue, but they are not the only factor that will reduce real‑world fall risk. The “best” shoes for you are the ones that combine good balance performance with proven safety features like fit, support, and slip resistance.
- Footwear features that reduce falls:
Secure fit and closure: Laces, Velcro, or straps that hold the heel and midfoot snugly reduce slipping inside the shoe. - Low heel and broad base: Low, wide heels and a broad sole improve stability compared with high heels, wedges, or narrow soles.
- Firm heel counter and good support: A reasonably stiff heel cup and supportive midsole help keep the foot aligned and reduce wobble.
If you have neuropathy, foot deformities, arthritis, or a history of falls, a physical therapist or podiatrist can watch you walk in your different shoes and fine‑tune recommendations.
For more on the right shoes to prevent falls, go here.
The older you get the more you feel the cold
4. No, it’s not fair. I lower my thermostat to save money but I’ve found that I really like wearing my very light down vest to keep me warm inside. It really helps. I always open my front door in the morning to let in the sun. And while January is the coldest month, the days are getting longer. You’ll really notice the later sunsets in the weeks ahead.
I know I didn’t use to mind the cold as much but there’s a good reason. Older people feel the cold more due to natural aging changes like slower metabolism, thinner skin (less insulation), and poorer circulation, which reduce heat production and retention, plus age-related health issues and medications can further decrease temperature regulation, making them more sensitive to cold.
For more on feeling cold more than you used to, go here.
Why shoveling snow is so dangerous for seniors
5. Shoveling snow is dangerous for seniors because the strenuous, sudden exertion combined with cold air creates a “perfect storm” for heart problems, straining the heart by constricting blood vessels, increasing blood pressure, and causing muscles to demand more oxygen, which can trigger heart attacks or other cardiac events, especially for those with existing risk factors like hypertension or a sedentary lifestyle. The cold constricts arteries, breath-holding increases pressure, and using arm muscles instead of legs sends blood to the extremities, forcing the heart to work much harder.
To make snow shoveling easier and safer, seniors should use proper form (bend knees, lift with legs, pivot feet, not spine), push snow instead of lifting, clear small amounts often, take frequent breaks, warm-up first, dress in layers with traction boots, and consider ergonomic shovels or mechanical aids like snow blowers.
For more on shoveling snow from the American Heart Association go here.
Smoke detectors are often difficult to reach for seniors
6. Last week, a senior neighbor called to say her smoke detector was “chirping”. This happens when the battery needs replacing. It was, of course, on the ceiling, and wasn’t something she could safely remove. I came over and got it down but noticed it was 18 years old. All smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years. For years, I’ve fussed about public service announcements telling people to replace their batteries every time the time changes in the fall. Now we have smoke detectors that contain 10 year batteries. Just replace the unit once a decade. And write the installation year so you can see it without removing it. Another issue is smoke detectors in the kitchen. Granted, that’s the most fire-prone room in the house, but also the one with the most false alarms. But if they can’t be reached safely people will be more likely to disable them. That’s a problem that needs further study.
Make a winter salad more festive
7. I’ve started a new Christmas tradition. A Christmas Day salad made from homegrown greens. I have covered elevated beds in my tiny backyard, where I have small spinach, collards, kale, chard, onion greens, and lettuce. All started back in Oct and November. The leaves are small but they made for a nice salad. I also had “fresh” cherry tomatoes that were picked last Oct. and have been ripening.
But if you don’t have anything growing now, you can grow some greens inside under an LED shoplight that uses very little electricity. Or a mini-greenhouse, coldframe with a window or plastic covering it, facing the sun will be enough for some hardy greens (collards work best for me) that should be producing some leaves by February. And here’s the festive part. You don’t have to have enough to make a complete salad. Just use store greens but top them with a few leaves you grew. It’s fun.
That’s enough for this month. Stay warm. Robert