About 26 million Americans aged 65 and older do not use the internet, according to Pew Research. Most of them are not anti-technology. They just never had to learn, do not own a computer, lost their eyesight enough to read small screens, or simply prefer talking to a person. If your parent or grandparent sits in that group, they can still get groceries delivered. This guide shows every path that does not require a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Who This Guide Is For
This article is written for two people at once. The first is the senior who wants groceries delivered but will not touch a keyboard. The second is the adult child, neighbor, or caregiver trying to set up a system that works after they leave.
If you have asked any of these questions in the last month, this guide is for you:
- "My mom does not own a computer. How do I get her groceries delivered?"
- "Dad will not use a smartphone. Can he still call someone to order food?"
- "Is there a service where I can order for my parent and they just answer the door?"
- "My grandmother lives alone and is afraid of the internet. What are her options?"
— u/caregiver_daughter_84, r/agingparents
The Four Real Options
There are exactly four ways a senior who does not use a computer can still get groceries delivered. Every other option you see advertised is one of these in different packaging.
1. Phone-In Grocery Ordering (Senior Calls Directly)
The senior picks up the phone, calls a published number, and reads their list to a real person. The agent types it up, picks a local store, runs the payment card on file, and schedules delivery. The senior never touches a screen.
The biggest service built for this is the Instacart Senior Support Service at 1-844-981-3411, open every day from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern. An agent helps the senior pick a store from their ZIP code, takes the grocery list, places the order, and stays on the line if there is a problem. The senior does not need the Instacart app. The first call takes about 20 minutes because they set up an account. After that, repeat orders take five minutes. Order at Instacart or call the Senior Support line directly.
💡 First-Call Setup Checklist
Before the first call, have ready: full name, delivery address, a callback phone number, a credit or debit card, the ZIP code of a preferred grocery store, and a written list of about 20 staples. The agent will save everything to the account so future calls go faster.
2. A Caregiver or Family Member Places the Order
This is the most common setup. The adult child installs the Instacart, Shipt, or Walmart Grocery app on their own phone, adds the parent's address as a delivery location, and places the order from their phone. The parent only has to answer the door.
You can do this with Instacart, Shipt, Amazon Fresh, Walmart Grocery, or Kroger. Each service lets you save multiple delivery addresses and a standing grocery list. After the first setup, weekly orders take about five minutes.
💡 Save a Recurring List
Inside the Instacart or Shipt app, build a saved list named "Mom's weekly staples" — milk, bread, eggs, bananas, coffee, the brand of cereal she likes. Tap the list each Sunday, hit order, and you are done. Saves you from re-entering items every week.
3. Direct Phone Ordering at the Local Store
Many locally owned grocery stores still take orders by phone, especially in small towns and rural areas. Call the store, ask for the manager, and ask whether they will take a phone order for delivery. Some will deliver themselves; others will hand the order to a local taxi service or volunteer driver.
This option is often cheaper than app-based services because there is no middleman fee. The trade-off is that the senior has to know the store hours, the manager's name, and the delivery cutoff time. Save the store's direct line on speed dial and on a printed card stuck to the refrigerator.
4. Mail, Fax, or Printed Standing-Order Forms
A few community grocers and senior service organizations still use a printed order form that the senior mails in or faxes each week. Some Meals on Wheels programs offer a small grocery box alongside the hot meals. Senior centers in many counties run a free grocery delivery service for homebound members.
To find one near your parent, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. Ask for "home-delivered groceries" or "senior grocery program" in your parent's county. This service is free in many areas and is funded by the Older Americans Act.
Phone-In Grocery Delivery Services Compared
| Service | How the senior orders | Phone number | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instacart Senior Support | Agent places the order by phone | 1-844-981-3411 | Seniors who want to call themselves |
| Walmart Grocery (caregiver-assisted) | Family member places order from their phone | 1-800-925-6278 (help line) | Caregivers who order weekly for a parent |
| Kroger (local store) | Call the local Kroger store directly | Varies by store | Rural and suburban seniors near a Kroger |
| Local independent grocer | Call and ask for the manager | Store's main line | Small towns without Instacart coverage |
| Meals on Wheels grocery box | Mail-in form or sign-up phone call | Local Meals on Wheels affiliate | Homebound seniors on a fixed income |
| Area Agency on Aging delivery | Call Eldercare Locator | 1-800-677-1116 | Free delivery for low-income seniors |
How to Set Up Phone-In Ordering in One Afternoon
If you live within driving distance of your parent, the cleanest setup takes about an afternoon. Here is the sequence that works for most families.
Step 1 — Pick the service
For most families the right answer is Instacart Senior Support, because the agent handles everything by phone and the senior never has to learn an app. If you prefer a specific store, call that store and ask about phone delivery first.
Step 2 — Make the first call together
Sit with your parent and call 1-844-981-3411. Let your parent talk to the agent while you listen on speakerphone. You want them to feel ownership of the new system. Have the credit card, address, and grocery list ready. The agent will walk through everything.
Step 3 — Write down the routine on a card
Print a small card and tape it to the refrigerator. The card should say, in 18-point font or larger:
- The Senior Support phone number, big enough to read across the kitchen.
- The day of the week your parent plans to call (for example, "Call every Tuesday morning").
- The saved grocery list (milk, bread, eggs, bananas, coffee, the brand of cereal, etc.).
- Your own phone number for backup.
Step 4 — Order the first delivery while you watch
Stay through the first delivery. When the driver arrives, introduce yourself, and explain that future deliveries will be left at the door. Tip the driver $5 in cash if you can — Instacart drivers remember the addresses that tip well.
⚠️ Important Safety Warning
Scammers call seniors claiming to be from Instacart, Walmart, or "the grocery service." They ask for credit card numbers, gift cards, or "verification" of personal info. Real grocery services never call you first to ask for payment. Tell your parent: if you did not place the call yourself, hang up. The only safe order is one your parent started by calling the number on the refrigerator card.
What If Your Parent Refuses to Use Even the Phone?
Some seniors do not want any new system. They have lived 80 years without grocery delivery and are not about to start. For them, the caregiver-assisted path is the only one that works. You order from your own phone, the delivery person leaves the bags at the door, and your parent just opens the door and puts the groceries away.
This works even if your parent never sees a screen, never signs up for anything, and never meets a delivery person face to face. The order is in your name, paid by your card, and delivered to your parent's address. From your parent's point of view, the groceries just show up.
— u/sunday_shopper_kid, r/Frugal
How Much Does Phone-In Delivery Cost?
The Instacart Senior Support line does not add a fee for phone orders. You pay the same item prices, the same delivery fee (often free on orders over $35 with Instacart+), and tip the driver the same as you would on the app. Local stores that take phone orders usually charge their normal delivery fee — typically $5 to $10 — and may waive it for first-time customers.
If money is tight, the Area Agency on Aging (1-800-677-1116) runs free grocery delivery programs for low-income homebound seniors in most counties. Meals on Wheels affiliates also offer a small grocery box alongside the hot meal program. Neither requires a computer, app, or smartphone. For a full breakdown of costs by service, see our grocery delivery price comparison for seniors and our guide to grocery delivery for seniors on a fixed income.
What About Prepared Meals and Meal Kits?
If your parent cannot or will not cook, prepared meal delivery is a simpler system than groceries. Every major prepared meal service takes orders by phone, and most will set up a recurring weekly delivery with one call.
- Silver Cuisine (1-844-854-6837): chef-prepared meals designed for seniors, ordered by phone, delivered frozen. Order at Silver Cuisine.
- Mom's Meals (1-877-595-7829): refrigerated meals, including Medicare Advantage and Medicaid-funded options. Order at Moms Meals.
- Magic Kitchen (1-800-653-1144): frozen senior-friendly meals, no subscription required, ordered by phone. Order at Magic Kitchen.
See our full guide to prepared meal delivery for seniors for more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can seniors get groceries delivered without using a computer?
Yes. Many grocery stores still take orders by phone, and services like Instacart have a dedicated Senior Support line (1-844-981-3411) where an agent places the order for the customer. A family member or caregiver can also place the order on the senior's behalf using their own phone or computer.
What is the Instacart Senior Support Service phone number?
The Instacart Senior Support Service line is 1-844-981-3411. It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. An agent takes the grocery list by phone, picks a local store, processes payment, and arranges delivery without the senior needing a computer or app.
How do I order groceries for an elderly parent who doesn't use the internet?
You have three options. Call the store directly and ask about phone ordering, use Instacart's Senior Support line, or place the order yourself on the senior's account using your own phone. You can save their address, payment, and a standing grocery list so future orders take about five minutes.
Does Walmart take grocery orders by phone?
Walmart's main app and website orders are placed online, but Walmart Customer Service (1-800-925-6278) can help with reordering past purchases for seniors who call in. Some local Walmart stores also accept phone orders for pickup or delivery through the store's front desk. Calling the local store first is the fastest path.
Are phone-in grocery orders more expensive than app orders?
Phone-in orders usually carry the same item prices and delivery fees as app orders. Instacart's Senior Support line does not add a service fee for phone orders. Stores that take direct phone orders sometimes waive the delivery fee for first-time customers. Tipping the driver is the same as with any order.
Is grocery delivery safe for seniors who live alone and don't use the internet?
Yes, with two habits. Have the driver leave bags at the door (contactless delivery) and request a delivery window when a neighbor or family member can be on the phone. Never give a credit card number to an inbound caller. Only place orders by calling the store or a published service line like Instacart Senior Support.
Your Next Steps
Pick one action and do it this week:
- If you live near your parent: Sit with them on a Saturday and call the Instacart Senior Support line together at 1-844-981-3411. Place a $40 first order and walk through the whole delivery.
- If you live far away: Install Instacart or Shipt on your own phone, add your parent's address, build a saved weekly grocery list, and schedule the first delivery for a day you can be on the phone with them.
- If money is tight: Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 and ask about free home-delivered groceries in your parent's county. The Older Americans Act funds these programs in most regions.
- If your parent would rather eat than cook: Call Silver Cuisine at 1-844-854-6837 and set up a weekly prepared meal delivery instead.
None of these options needs a computer, tablet, or smartphone on your parent's end. The hardest part is the first phone call. After that, the system runs itself.