Meals at home services
To help you stay more independent, a 'meals at home' service may be offered to you following an assessment of your needs by your local social services.
Assessments
Dependent on the outcome of an assessment, chilled and sometimes frozen, or hot fresh meals may be delivered to your home if you have problems cooking.
This service is sometimes called 'meals on wheels'.
The aim of 'meals on wheels' or 'cooked chill meals' is to provide a nutritional meal for people who are unable to, or find it difficult to, prepare a meal for themselves.
There is normally a charge for the service.
Following a visit to your home, you should receive a simple 'service agreement'. This will detail which days you receive meals, the charge to you, and how to contact the manager of the service.
Alternatively, Trusts may be able to provide domiciliary care workers to help in heating and serving meals, including those bought by you, depending on your assessed needs.
Note that depending on the provider, and on your circumstances, you may be offered a frozen meal service.
You may also be able to borrow equipment to reheat the meal yourself and a small freezer if you need it.
For more information, visit the website of your local health and social care trust.