Murcia expands 'Meals on Wheels' service for older people living alone
Murcia City Council will provide nearly 90,000 home-delivered meals to people over 65 with limited support
Murcia City Council has launched a plan to improve support for older residents who are unable to cook for themselves. A new contract worth €900,000 has been put out to tender to provide nearly 90,000 home-delivered meals to people over the age of 65 who live alone or with limited support.
The Meals on Wheels-style service is designed for those who live alone, live with someone who is also dependent or who have a disability that makes daily tasks like cooking difficult.
Many of these individuals have little or no family support and need help maintaining a basic but essential routine like eating a proper, wholesome meal.
The aim of the scheme is not just to ensure food reaches those who need it, but also to prevent serious health risks caused by poor nutrition. The meals are prepared and delivered directly to the user’s home, providing reliable support for some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
Last year, the service reached 365 users and delivered more than 86,000 meals. At present, 301 people are regularly registered.
Deliveries are made on alternate days, following two different schedules. One group receives meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while the other group receives them on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Deliveries do not take place on public holidays, but meals for those days can be requested in advance and delivered the day before.
Food is delivered between 9am and 1.30pm. When the meals arrive, the delivery person also explains how to store, prepare and eat the food safely, either to the recipient or to the person who is helping them at home.
The current contract is set to run for two years, with an option to extend it for another two. The council hopes the service will continue to support healthy, independent living for as many older residents as possible.
Image: Freepik
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