Food and Shopping

If someone offers to do a weekly grocery or general shopping run for your parent, that's a big help. (Be sure to pay them back from your parent's funds unless they really want to contribute the goods occasionally.) Some ways to make shopping trips more efficient:

• Create a computer file titled "Grocery list" that includes all the staples your parent needs. Any time someone offers to make a trip, add and delete items from the core list and print it out (or e-mail it) to the day’s volunteer.

• Keep a running list of "things to buy" near the phone. Ask friends and family members to call you when they're headed for the drugstore, hardware store, nursery, big-box store, and so on. When they call, quickly scan the list and ask them to pick up the things you need, and reimburse them when they arrive.

• Order extra copies of your parent's medical ID card so volunteers can pick up prescriptions for him.

• Keep a list of your parent’s clothing sizes handy. That way if he asks for new slippers or a shirt without buttons (helpful if he has neuropathy), you’ll know exactly what size to ask for.