Need some ideas and info

Hello!

I just got off the phone to my dad, long story short - his wife left him a week ago (she didn't just up and leave, it was an arranged split) but of course he doesn't cook, and has been getting chicken and chips from the take away shop for dinners. Which probably isn't a super bad choice considering what takeaway food is out there - however - he is currently still going through treatment for his cancer and I don't want him eating this crap!

SO! I need ideas and info on how I can get good healthy food to him that he can just heat and eat. I don't think he would be interested in microwave dinners, I'm not sure how meals on wheels works? i went on their website and read their eligibility stuff, and it appears you have to be old or really sick. Well, he's not really sick, he's in good health aside from his chemo treatment, and he's only 66, so he's not really old either.

I want to help him, but since he's in Tassie, and I'm in Queensland, I can't physically be there to help him.

Any ideas? Throw them at me! I did think of lite and easy, however that is a bit too exxy for us (and him since he just had to pay out his wife!)

place an add in local paper asking for people who like cooking and would like a small amount of cash for their effort..

That way he can have home cooked meals in freezer.

hey love
have you tried a company called "choice fresh meals'- they are like meals on wheels but a private company- they work out about $10-$11 per meal so cheaper than takeaway
also sometimes you can get an arragement with a local RSL, cafe that will make up a meals for him to heat up- put them in the freezer and pull out as needed.

also perhaps even make a menu up for him with different meals he can cook for himself - toasted sandwiches, eggs on toast, spag bol etc
break it down simple for him
hope this helps and your a legend for giving him a hand xxx

Does he have any friends nearby that could teach him how to cook a few things? Or could you instruct him on things to chuck in a slowcooker to create his own meal?

What about Lite and Easy? They are healthy meals (mainly directed at losing weight) and it covers all meals including morning and afternoon tea


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place an add in local paper asking for people who like cooking and would like a small amount of cash for their effort..

That way he can have home cooked meals in freezer.

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I dunno, I'm naturally suspicious of people, and what if they poison him.. LOL

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hey love
have you tried a company called "choice fresh meals'- they are like meals on wheels but a private company- they work out about $10-$11 per meal so cheaper than takeaway
also sometimes you can get an arragement with a local RSL, cafe that will make up a meals for him to heat up- put them in the freezer and pull out as needed.

also perhaps even make a menu up for him with different meals he can cook for himself - toasted sandwiches, eggs on toast, spag bol etc
break it down simple for him
hope this helps and your a legend for giving him a hand xxx

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Ooh thanks, I'll have to email a few people! Thanks for the tips.

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Does he have any friends nearby that could teach him how to cook a few things? Or could you instruct him on things to chuck in a slowcooker to create his own meal?

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I don't know if he has any friends! LOL!!! hard when you don't live nearby. I'm sure I could tell him how to do it, but not sure exactly what he has kitchen wise, I know his wife took a LOT of stuff.

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What about Lite and Easy? They are healthy meals (mainly directed at losing weight) and it covers all meals including morning and afternoon tea

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Nah too exxy.

If he doesn't have much kitchen stuff it still might be cheaper in the long run for him to buy a few kitchen things so he can make some of his own meals rather than buying take away or buying meals that get delivered?

I wonder if there is any organization close by that teach people to cook basic meals? For the long term it could be easier (and cheaper) for him if he was able to learn to be self-sufficient.

Look up local communuity centre or neighbourhood house and see if they run any mens cooking classes.

Lovely you are helping him

Is he keen to learn? That could be your best long term solution.

Spag bol can be dead easy once you've done it a few times - brown mince, add jar of dolmio, heat, cook pasta, eat.

Stir fries - brown meat, add some veg, add jar of sauce, heat up some noodles or cook some rice, done.

Both those two he could make larger quantities and reheat/freeze.

Would he be interested in that sort of thing?

Have you tried contacting meals on wheels in his area and talking to them and explaining his situation? Maybe they could help out in some way.

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Have you tried contacting meals on wheels in his area and talking to them and explaining his situation? Maybe they could help out in some way.

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Even if they can't help they may be able to point you in a direction for help that you may not have thought of?

Lions Club, rotary club any of those type of community based groups would help and see if there are any companies nearby that cook home style meals that can be frozen even Coles and woolies have some pre cooked meals in the fridge section that aren't too bad unlined the frozen microwave meals.

Ooh I forgot a good one - local churches. Our church has a community freezer full of frozen meals cooked by people within the church for anyone in need, you don't have to be a member of the church to access it. Call some churches. Even for a stop gap while you sort out a long term solution.

I was going to say meals on wheels too they helped my nan lots but she got sick of repetitive food

sorry for any mistakes. still getting used to this Galaxy

Is there a local RSL or something nearby? I know it wouldn't solve all his meals but they do $6 sunday roasts and things around here. Also most of the local pubs have schnitzel nights etc that are pretty cheap (about $10 including veg and a soft drink) that he might be able to takeaway?

call up the older persons line at C'link hun - tell them the situation - they will be able to access information about local charity organisations and what they offer - you can call them from up there, and even if they don't do meals, they will likely know someone who does.

down here we have the health service/community meals on wheels, but also a couple of other groups that do similar - couldn't for the life of me name them at this point to check if they have similar in Tassie - but charities would generally be able to help you out there

Is your dad getting chemo treatnpmrnt through a local hospital? If he is the hospital social worker should be able to inform him and he him access different resources.

My grandfather is 80 and my grandmother has started giving him cooking lessons just in case she can't cook, he is very resistant to it and struggles. It can be hard to change but linking him in with a local community cooking class he will not only learn news skills he will be able to meet new people.

Hope you find a solution

Would he use a slow cooker? Easy as to just throw the ingredients into and he could have meals for days!

Back here to update! Sorry I've not been able to come back and comment, I am trying to cut down on my internet time.

I've had some lovely friends in tassie cook and deliver some food to my dad, he's a pretty proud man so doesn't like the idea of hand outs, so I'm not sure he would want me discussing stuff with any organisations ITMS? He didn't even want to accept my friend's cooking because he didn't like the idea of being fussed over, and was stoked that he had cooked himself eggs and chips the other night. Gawd, eggs and chips are sooo much better than chicken and chips (arghhhh dad!!)

I'm not sure he has a slow cooker, he did mention the other night on the phone that I had made my point (heehee) and he is going to look into getting stuff delivered - like lite and easy. And while I can't afford to pay for that for him, he should be ok to pay for it himself.

SO. Hopefully he will do it, and not just say he is going to and then go back to takeaway food. I don't think he really understands the whole "you must eat good food when in the middle of cancer treatment" stuff I keep harping on about every time I talk to him.....

If he wasn't such a proud man I could do so much more for him. He didn't even want to get divorced because he didn't want the shame from his community. Took him 10 years to finally tell her that it was over - 10 freakin' unhappy years. *sigh* No wonder my children are stubborn....