December 7, 2020

Top Grocery Delivery Apps for Seniors

About Brookdale Senior Living

Due to the pandemic, many seniors are staying home for the safety of themselves and their loved ones. This means that completing everyday tasks such as grocery shopping has created new challenges. That’s why grocery delivery apps can be a simple way for seniors to receive items they need in record time, without leaving home.

Since the pandemic, food delivery apps are on the rise in the U.S. According to Apptopia, Instacart, Walmart Grocery and Shipt had a surge in daily downloads between February and March by 218 percent, 160 percent and 124 percent, respectively. Typically, Instacart receives 20,000 downloads per day, but in March, the app was downloaded 38,500 times per day on average.

Ordering groceries has never been simpler. All you need to do is download the food delivery app on your iOS or Android device and follow the prompts to choose what you need and place your order. With so many services available, here’s a rundown of our favorites.

Walmart Grocery

The largest retail chain in the U.S. can deliver goods straight to your door. Walmart Grocery works on a membership basis, which provides free delivery on all orders for a year. Customers can choose from over 100,000 items that may vary seasonally. Unlike some other grocery delivery services, Walmart Grocery also offers general merchandise, such as microwaves, toys and bedding. You can get your groceries delivered or do curbside pickup.

Membership: $12.95 monthly or $98/year
Minimum order: $35
Delivery fee: $10

Instacart

Instacart is the Uber of food delivery services and may be the perfect option if you want to order fresh produce from a local grocery store such as Publix, Kroger or Aldi. It’s one of the more popular apps and is available in most zip codes around the country.

All you do is select on the app what items you want to be delivered, and a personal shopper will bring your items to your door. You can also choose contactless delivery and specify the best place for you to pick up your items outside your home. In addition to groceries, Instacart also delivers items from Bed Bath & Beyond, Costco, CVS and Petco. The app also gives you options for natural and organic food service options.

Membership: $9.99/monthly or $99/year
Minimum order: $10
Delivery fee: $4 for non-members
Optional free delivery for all orders over $35 for $99 a year or $10 a month

Shipt

Shipt is another membership-based marketplace, serving over 270 major metro areas in the U.S. Owned by Target, Shipt can deliver groceries as well as other essentials such as office supplies, baby necessities and beauty products. Whether you’re in New York City or Walt Disney World, you can use your Shipt membership no matter where you are. If you forget something on your list, there’s no need to worry. You can text with your personal shopper to make adjustments and changes on-the-go. Much like Instacart, you can choose which store you want to shop from based on your zip code.

Membership: $99/year or $14 a month (free 4-week trial)
Minimum order: $35 for free shipping
Delivery Fees: $7 for orders below $35

Amazon Fresh

Amazon Prime members reap the best rewards with Amazon Fresh. There is no membership cost for current Prime members, and customers can choose from thousands of grocery and home good items. Amazon Fresh works exclusively with Whole Foods, so if you are into organic fare, this is the app for you. You can also order from a wide range of items from Amazon such as clothing and electronics. It’s also very accessible, as Amazon Fresh is available in over 2,000 cities.

Membership: Amazon Prime membership ($119/year)
Minimum order: $35 for free shipping

Google Shopping

Google Shopping is a service that generally only delivers non-perishables, so it’s best for pantry items to have on-hand like rice, pasta and canned goods. Unlike its competitors, Google Shopping is available everywhere and doesn’t rely on local grocery stores for access to its products. There’s no membership needed, so that is one definite perk for those who are budget conscious.

Membership: None
Minimum order: Varies depending on merchant

What Do I Do if My Order Is Wrong?

Sometimes orders can be wrong or food items can be delivered that are spoiled. In this case, each of these apps have customer service centers available to assist you with your needs.

Add some fatty fish, walnuts and dark chocolate to your order. These nutrient-rich foods can help lead to a happier and healthier brain. Read our blog post to learn more about helpful superfoods for seniors.