On March 11, the ANBO senior citizens association set up a special telephone line because of the corona crisis, where the elderly can ask their questions. The phone has since been ringing off the hook, says Bernadet Naber of the union. One of the most frequently asked questions: can someone please help me with the groceries?
Gilberte de Groot (73) also called that question. Her visit to the supermarket is normally her movement of the day for Amsterdam. But that has changed because of the corona virus.
‘Elderly hour not an option’
“I don’t dare go to the supermarket,” she says. “A friend of mine did some shopping and it is now contaminated. And the shopping is all he came into contact with people.”
The special elderly hour in the supermarket is not an option for her either. “Then people still walk right past you. We are not going to do that.”
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Having groceries delivered seemed a solution, so she immersed herself in Picnic, Albert Heijn ‘and all those shops that have those services’. But they didn’t have days off, she says. “A lot of people want to have their groceries delivered now.”
It put her under stress and a sleepless night. “I have been awake.” Then she called the ANBO and eventually got her messages, thanks to ‘lovely people who presented themselves’. And a call online resulted in two volunteers in the area who have been helping her ever since. “Two minutes after the call was placed, a girl called to do the shopping for me.”
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There are many more elderly and vulnerable people like Gilberte who are stressed about their groceries, says ANBO’s Bernadet Naber. Sometimes people even call crying because they don’t know what to do. “We called on supermarkets and delivery services: keep time slots free for the most vulnerable people who cannot or dare not go to the supermarket, such as the elderly. That problem must be solved quickly.”
CBR examiners help the elderly
They have not received much response to that request. Supermarkets such as Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Picnic don’t like it either, they said in a response to RTL Nieuws.
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In order to ensure that the elderly get their groceries, the elder union has started an initiative together with the CBR. About 45 examiners who have a car, but cannot take driving tests, are now shopping for the elderly all over the country.
Take into account vulnerable people
“We have been able to help a lot of people in this way,” says Naber. “If there is no examiner nearby, one of our volunteers will be on the road. The CBR also identifies itself with the older person and it is an official body, which means it is trusted.”
The ANBO also calls on citizens to take vulnerable people into account. “If you can go to the supermarket yourself, please don’t order online”, the organization asks. “Otherwise, the delivery services will remain overcrowded and the elderly will be without messages.”
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Separate delivery times for the elderly
Do you want to reserve separate delivery times for the elderly and vulnerable people? Supermarkets do not see that yet, they say in a response.
Picnic
For the time being, there will be no separate slots for the elderly at Picnic, the company says. This is not possible in terms of data. “We don’t collect age information.” However, the company has moved the times to choose a time slot from 00:00 to 09:00 in the morning. “To ensure that everyone has an equal chance.”
Every day 20 to 30 elderly and frail people report to those who cannot manage to order groceries. They forward these people to Ordinary People, where volunteers answer requests for help. The delivery service has also started a collaboration with hospitals, to give medical personnel and vulnerable people priority in the app. “The hospital helps select people who have priority over time slots. We want to roll this out further in the Netherlands.”
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn does not focus on separate delivery times either. “The elderly can, if they wish, take a delivery bundle and choose a personal delivery time. Then they are always assured of this time.”
The company tries to create as many extra delivery times as possible. “In addition, more delivery times are realized by adding days that are not normally delivered at home, such as King’s Day and Liberation Day.”
Jumbo
Jumbo is not yet working on opening separate delivery times for vulnerable people. “We realize that it is less easy for some people to shop at the moment,” said a spokesman. “That is why we are calling through various channels to do ‘normal’ shopping, both online and in our stores.”
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