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Age 65 and Good Health: Can I get my own groceries?

Posted by Gail, Alumni Mentor @baxtersmom, Mar 17, 2020

I am age 65 and in good health (no heart or lung issues whatsoever). I live by myself and I have no kids. If I need to make a quick run to the grocery store at a non-busy time, is that okay? I don't really have the money to pay someone to do my shopping. I spend a lot of time at home and don't feel isolated by this at all because it is really my usual situation. But I just wonder if I should not even do a grocery run. What do people think? How are others in my situation handling this? I am not talking about going out to bars or restaurants, talking about basic once a week market visits. Any thoughts?

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pollyanne | @pollyanne | Mar 19, 2020

I think there will be an uptick for a lot of things! Unfortunately.

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woogie | @woogie | Mar 19, 2020
In reply to @coloradogirl "I think it depends on where you live and how widespread the epidemic is in your..." + (show)
@coloradogirl

I think it depends on where you live and how widespread the epidemic is in your area. I have a lot of friends who are young and healthy but still doing their best to stay home and avoid spreading the virus so that it doesn't impact the elderly and people with chronic health conditions who are vulnerable to a serious case of COVID-19. While this coronavirus does not generally turn out to be a severe case in healthy people, there are some exceptions so I think caution is still warranted.

For grocery shopping, our local authorities are recommending that you use the pre-order option that some stores are now offering, or at minimum go to the store during off hours when there are fewer people. Our local Kroeger stores offer the ability to pre-order and pick up at the curb for only $5. They even put it in your car for you. Target and Walmart offer similar services, and I believe other chains do as well. These services existed before the epidemic but are certainly handy now. You might check and see if your local stores do something similar, and if not, at least go to the store during non-peak hours. Sanitize your cart, and wash your hands immediately upon returning home.

Stay well. I'm sure we will get through this but it's certainly crazy in the meantime.

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Clean your packages before you put anything away. Change your clothes. Sanitize the bottom of your shoes. I read these hints/rules at another site. My husband goes to WalMart for various items. I don't want him to do it but he doesn't listen to me. Walmart is usually the only place I go: that is, when we don't have an epidemic. I used to go to Elder Beerman but we don't have one anymore. I will be glad when this is over. I love to go to the Olive Garden. I will probably be totally nuts before this is over.

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1 reply
woogie | @woogie | Mar 19, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@woogie- Oh, dear. Funny thing is I love the kind of movies that you both like!..." + (show)
@merpreb

@woogie- Oh, dear. Funny thing is I love the kind of movies that you both like! Have you talked to your husband about this? Can either of you walk outside? If so take a walk together and tell him how you feel. It's not easy, is it?

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No, we have too much pain to walk. We have to lean on carts in stores. My husband has a lot of health problems also. He is lucky to go to the shed and get bird feed daily. Our excitement is bird watching. We have three bird houses right outside our kitchen window and do we ever have the birds. One summer we had sixteen sets of baby sparrows. It is cute to see. We do get red birds, blue birds, hummingbirds, woodpeckers. I guess it depends upon the bird food. Take care, everyone. God bless you all.

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1 reply
fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Mar 19, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@imallears- Excellent suggestions! My husband is vacuuming like crazy, even tabletops. I just let him be..." + (show)
@merpreb

@imallears- Excellent suggestions! My husband is vacuuming like crazy, even tabletops. I just let him be and stay away. It's tough being confined with another person, the same person day in and day out! grrr. lol

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Loved the humor in your post, Merry! Laughter really is our best medicine!

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 19, 2020
In reply to @woogie "Clean your packages before you put anything away. Change your clothes. Sanitize the bottom of your..." + (show)
@woogie

Clean your packages before you put anything away. Change your clothes. Sanitize the bottom of your shoes. I read these hints/rules at another site. My husband goes to WalMart for various items. I don't want him to do it but he doesn't listen to me. Walmart is usually the only place I go: that is, when we don't have an epidemic. I used to go to Elder Beerman but we don't have one anymore. I will be glad when this is over. I love to go to the Olive Garden. I will probably be totally nuts before this is over.

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@woogie This post is not meant to offend anyone, just maybe provide a smile or a giggle - I just came from a necessary store run with a friend - we needed food and medicine for a number of people. We stayed out of the most crowded stores, figuring it is worth the peace of mind (and good for business) to go to the smaller ones. We wiped our carts going in & our hands coming out. I have given up my beloved reusable bags for now and am using plastic - which I throw away once home.
But here is the humorous part (to me anyway.) I am a big fan of the Big Bang Theory; does anyone remember Sheldon Cooper and his "bus pants"? Now when I come home, remove my shoes, wash my hands and put everything away. Then I wipe counters and handles. Finally, I place all of my clothes in the laundry basket, jump in the shower and use soap and shampoo, and dress in clean clothes. We used to think it was obsessive and odd, now it just seems prudent. How quickly things change!
Sue

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 21, 2020
In reply to @woogie "No, we have too much pain to walk. We have to lean on carts in stores...." + (show)
@woogie

No, we have too much pain to walk. We have to lean on carts in stores. My husband has a lot of health problems also. He is lucky to go to the shed and get bird feed daily. Our excitement is bird watching. We have three bird houses right outside our kitchen window and do we ever have the birds. One summer we had sixteen sets of baby sparrows. It is cute to see. We do get red birds, blue birds, hummingbirds, woodpeckers. I guess it depends upon the bird food. Take care, everyone. God bless you all.

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@woogie if you're a bird lover, you'll appreciate the pictures and conversations shared in this discussion:
- Visual Escapes and Daily Inspirations: Share Yours https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/visual-escapes-and-daily-inspirations-share-yours/

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 3, 2020

Hi @coloradogirl @baxtersmom @imallears @mcryan and @woogie. Checking in. How is everyone doing?
A few weeks ago, my husband and I decided to separate. In a good way. He is staying home with our daughter and I traveled to stay with my mom, that way no one is alone. I'm quite happy to be out here in the country where my mom and I can walk without seeing a soul. But I do have to do the grocery shopping. It has become quite the ordeal as I try to shop for an extended period of time. Even the cart gets to be cumbersome to maneuver with so much weight. We manage to make things last for 14 days. My husband does all the shopping and cooking at home, so I'm beefing up my recipe repertoire.

The grocery store has put several safety measures in place, which I'm happy to see. They restrict the number of people in the store and have installed plexiglass panels to protect the cashiers. No personal bags are allowed in the store and the line up at the cash has floor markings to enforce 6 feet distancing. The most amazing part? The cashiers are cheery and doing their best to keep up spirits. They deserve a special recognition.

How have things changed in your region?

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2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Apr 3, 2020

@colleenyoung Good for you in splitting and being with your Mom at this time it has to hard though on you also The beaches here are closed but saw this morning surfers aren't listening just going up the coast I dont know how to get people to listen to how dangerous this virus is. Cleaning more here . cleaning out drawers that need it . Made soup twice already and baked I will have put pounds on if I dont curb my baking . I guess I had pent up emotions as I saw a guy who beat the virus I Just started to crying to beat the band as the saying goes . I know crying is a release so guess this is what I needed . My heart goes out to all the nurses and Dr,s that lost the battel pray for there families. Guess this hit home also

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 3, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @coloradogirl @baxtersmom @imallears @mcryan and @woogie. Checking in. How is everyone doing? A few weeks..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @coloradogirl @baxtersmom @imallears @mcryan and @woogie. Checking in. How is everyone doing?
A few weeks ago, my husband and I decided to separate. In a good way. He is staying home with our daughter and I traveled to stay with my mom, that way no one is alone. I'm quite happy to be out here in the country where my mom and I can walk without seeing a soul. But I do have to do the grocery shopping. It has become quite the ordeal as I try to shop for an extended period of time. Even the cart gets to be cumbersome to maneuver with so much weight. We manage to make things last for 14 days. My husband does all the shopping and cooking at home, so I'm beefing up my recipe repertoire.

The grocery store has put several safety measures in place, which I'm happy to see. They restrict the number of people in the store and have installed plexiglass panels to protect the cashiers. No personal bags are allowed in the store and the line up at the cash has floor markings to enforce 6 feet distancing. The most amazing part? The cashiers are cheery and doing their best to keep up spirits. They deserve a special recognition.

How have things changed in your region?

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@colleenyoung- I know that you love your mom. What an unselfish thing to do. Good for you. I had to move in with my mom for a time and I don't have any guilt to look back on.

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pollyanne | @pollyanne | Apr 3, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @coloradogirl @baxtersmom @imallears @mcryan and @woogie. Checking in. How is everyone doing? A few weeks..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @coloradogirl @baxtersmom @imallears @mcryan and @woogie. Checking in. How is everyone doing?
A few weeks ago, my husband and I decided to separate. In a good way. He is staying home with our daughter and I traveled to stay with my mom, that way no one is alone. I'm quite happy to be out here in the country where my mom and I can walk without seeing a soul. But I do have to do the grocery shopping. It has become quite the ordeal as I try to shop for an extended period of time. Even the cart gets to be cumbersome to maneuver with so much weight. We manage to make things last for 14 days. My husband does all the shopping and cooking at home, so I'm beefing up my recipe repertoire.

The grocery store has put several safety measures in place, which I'm happy to see. They restrict the number of people in the store and have installed plexiglass panels to protect the cashiers. No personal bags are allowed in the store and the line up at the cash has floor markings to enforce 6 feet distancing. The most amazing part? The cashiers are cheery and doing their best to keep up spirits. They deserve a special recognition.

How have things changed in your region?

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Hardly any change here.

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