When it comes to supporting older people at home, good healthy and nutritious food is incredibly important. As we age, our bodies change, as do our nutritional needs so eating well becomes even more important; however, it’s not always easy to regularly prepare healthy meals.
There are many physical, emotional and practical reasons why older people may struggle to eat well. Reduced mobility or cognitive decline for example can make food shopping and preparing meals difficult but there are ways of supporting someone you care for with eating.
Teaming up with COOK
A meal delivery service can be a great option for arranging meals for elderly people living at home which is why we’ve teamed up with COOK, a home-cooked frozen meal delivery service. Their simple and delicious meals can make day-to-day life easier for older people and their families. We spoke to Claire Postans, Brand Director at COOK, about how their meals are made, how they support older people living at home, and why good nutrition is such an important part of care and recovery. Plus, Bright Care clients can enjoy an exclusive 15% off their first COOK subscription, just one more way to make eating well at home a little easier.
1. What exactly is a meal delivery service?
We bring meals straight to your door. COOK meals are delivered frozen and can be cooked straight from the freezer, in either the oven or the microwave, depending on the dish. It’s a simple, convenient way to enjoy proper, comforting food at home.
2. How can COOK’s meal delivery service help support older people at home?
Shopping for ingredients and cooking from scratch can be a challenge, especially as you get older. A delicious, prepared meal that tastes homemade and just needs heating up can be a real help, making day-to-day life easier and supporting people to stay independent in their own homes.
COOK offers a wide variety of meals in portions for one and two, including gluten-free and dairy-free options. Our most popular dishes include Cottage Pie, Macaroni Cheese, Lasagne al Forno and Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie.
Ordering is simple. You choose your favourite meals online and select a delivery date that suits you. Once your delivery arrives, the meals can be popped into the freezer and enjoyed whenever you’re ready. Because everything is frozen, there’s also much less food waste.
3. How are COOK’s ingredients sourced?
A great meal starts with great ingredients. We’ve worked with some of our key suppliers for over a decade and are proud to partner with some of Britain’s very best farmers. All our ingredients are responsibly sourced and chosen for their quality and flavour.
We cook using ingredients you’d recognise and use at home, because we want our meals to taste just as good – if not better – than something you’d cook yourself.
4. How do COOK’s meals compare nutritionally with homemade meals?
Our meals are made in much the same way you’d cook at home if you were batch cooking and freezing meals. We peel and chop vegetables, prepare the meat, and cook everything carefully, just on a larger scale. Once cooked, the meals are frozen on site, locking in both flavour and goodness – it’s nature’s preservative.
5. Can you provide individually portioned meals?
Yes, we offer a wide range of meals designed for one person. Some of these are complete meals, so there’s nothing extra to add, while others can be enjoyed with sides like vegetables or rice if you wish. This means you can tailor meals to your own tastes and keep things interesting. We also offer a small selection of side dishes if you’d like to add something extra.
6. What safety measures are in place regarding allergens, nutritional information and food preparation?
Because we use ingredients that include allergens in our kitchens, all utensils and equipment are carefully cleaned between each recipe. Wherever possible, we also cook dishes containing specific allergens on designated days.
While we don’t use peanuts in any of our recipes, some ingredients may come from suppliers that handle peanuts. Due to the small risk of cross-contamination, you’ll see a peanut warning on the packaging of any dishes that may contain nuts.
All our recipes are sent for technical analysis to ensure we provide accurate and clear allergen and nutritional information.
7. Can your home-delivered meals support specific dietary needs, such as low sodium or diabetic-friendly options?
We provide full nutritional information for all our meals, both online and on the packaging. We also include indicators such as low sugar or low fat, helping customers choose meals that best suit their needs.
We don’t offer meals specifically labelled for people with diabetes, as everyone manages the condition differently and a one-size-fits-all approach wouldn’t be appropriate.
8. Do you have meals suitable for people with swallowing difficulties or reduced appetites?
We have a small range of meals originally created for children, which are also popular with customers who have smaller appetites. These portions can be helpful for those who prefer lighter meals or need food cut into smaller pieces. Many of our bestsellers, such as Shepherd’s Pie and Fish Pie, have a softer texture and are often easier to chew and swallow.
9. What service can COOK offer for people after a hospital discharge?
After leaving hospital, many people still have a period of recovery ahead of them, and eating well plays a vital role in that process. Our customers often tell us that having nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals at home helps them look after themselves more easily and focus on getting back on their feet.
10. Can family members order COOK meals to be delivered to a loved one?
COOK deliver nationwide (with the exception of some really remote postcodes in the Islands and Highlands) which means that it’s possible to order a box of COOK food from our website to be delivered to friends or relatives. It can be a real relief for family members to know that their loved ones are eating well.
We have a COOK subscription offer where customers can get a regular delivery with Free Delivery on all your orders. You can choose how often you would like delivery, from 1 week up to 8 weeks frequency. The order is automatically generated for you so you can just sit back and wait for your order to arrive each time. It is really easy to manage – you can edit your items in your order, change delivery date, pause, skip or cancel at any time. To find out more or place an order go to Subscribe & Save COOK or give us a call on 01732 759020 and we will be able to help you.
We have a special offer available for all Bright Care customers/ clients with an introductory offer of 15% off your first box when you subscribe. Please use the code BRIGHTCARE to claim the discount. The code will apply 15% off + free delivery when someone places their first subscription order before 31st March. Terms below*.
Nutritious, comforting meals for elderly people living at home play a vital role in maintaining independence, wellbeing and quality of life. Using a meal delivery service is a great way to ensure loved ones have easy access to a regular supply of healthy and nutritious meals.
*T&Cs: Voucher code BRIGHTCARE is valid until 31st March 2026, when subscribing for regular COOK deliveries at cookfood.net or over the phone. Not valid for one-off Home Delivery orders, Click & Collect, or purchases made in a COOK shop or independent supermarket, farm shop, or convenience store with COOK freezers. The voucher will apply a 15% discount to any full price products in your order AND add a further discount to remove any delivery charges. The discount will not apply to any reduced items or product promotions in your basket. Discount only applies to your first box and any subsequent deliveries will be charged at full price (although you will continue to receive free delivery on all orders while you have an active subscription). Cannot be used in conjunction with other vouchers.
Why choose Bright Care
Bright Care provides award winning, in-home care and companionship for people in later life. We focus on building meaningful relationships with our clients and are there to offer practical home help services and emotional support. They can help with grocery shopping, food preparation and cooking delicious, healthy meals. Our tailored in-home care services provide peace of mind for families who cannot always be there to care for their loved ones.
We are recruiting exceptional Care Assistants in the South East of England and Scotland. You can find more information about the Care Assistant job description and the Care Assistant role and responsibilities on our website.
