Making the weekly shop easier as you get older

For many of us, the weekly shop used to be a simple job. Over time, it can become one of the most tiring parts of the week: the drive or the bus, the walk round the aisles, the queue, and then carrying heavy bags in from the car and putting it all away.

Here are some ways to make it easier, so the cupboards stay full without wearing you out.

Keep a running list

A notepad stuck to the fridge, with a pen tied to it, is still one of the best ideas going. Write things down as soon as they run low, and the list is ready when shopping day comes. It saves forgotten items and extra trips.

Plan a few simple meals

Thinking about four or five easy meals for the week makes the list shorter and helps avoid waste. Soups, stews and one-pot dishes can be made in batches and frozen in portions, ready for days when cooking feels like too much.

Shop at quieter times

If you still enjoy going to the shops, mid-morning on a weekday is usually calmer than weekends or after school. Many supermarkets have seats near the entrance, and staff are generally happy to help reach things from high shelves.

Lighten the load

• A shopping trolley on wheels takes the strain off arms and shoulders.
• Ask for heavier items to be packed in several lighter bags.
• Buy bulky things such as bottled drinks, tins and cleaning products less often, in one go.

Let someone else do the shop

Online deliveries work well for some people, but not everyone gets on with ordering on a screen, and it does not help with putting it all away. Having someone pick up your shopping from your list, bring it home and help unpack it can take the whole job off your hands.

That is one of the things we do. You can read more about our shopping help on our services page.

Keep a small store cupboard

A few long-life basics, such as tinned soup, UHT milk, crackers and tea bags, mean there is always something in if the weather turns or you are feeling under the weather. Here in the New Forest, a snowy or icy spell can make the roads hard going, so it is worth having a little put by.