Some seniors are lucky enough to be within walking distance of their local grocery store and like to take the trip on foot. A sturdy, portable grocery cart can come in very handy for them. Others dependent on public transit prefer carts over lugging heavy bags all over town. Even if you’re still driving, having your own cart can be very convenient, especially now that stores need to sanitize their carts and baskets frequently.
Benefits of Grocery Carts for Seniors
Portability
Most grocery carts for seniors are designed for easy portability, generous space and capacity, convenient storage, and ease of maneuvering around or through various surfaces. Ensure your grocery cart can be folded down for storage and has sturdy wheels to handle any outside conditions or surfaces.
Versatility
Many grocery carts for seniors can be put to other uses. For instance:
- Toting all your luggage at the airport or train station
- Taking your dirty (and later, clean) laundry to and from the washing machine or laundry room
- Hauling plants and bags of potting soil
- Toting sports equipment
- Bringing all your odds and ends to the beach
Some grocery carts for seniors have removable liners or backpacks, allowing the trolley to be used as a dolly for moving boxes and other heavy objects.
Maneuverability
A small personal grocery cart is much more maneuverable than a clunky standard cart you’ll find at the entrance of a store or bodega. Their footprint is smaller, meaning there’s less chance of running into another cart in a cramped or crowded aisle. Most grocery carts for seniors have rubber wheels that can tackle wet or icy conditions, rough terrain, stairs or steep city curbs, and cracked sidewalks.
Health and Peace of Mind
The right grocery cart for a senior can be life-changing. Being relieved of the burden of lugging around cumbersome bags can lead to a sense of freedom for seniors. If you have a post-surgical lifting limit or hernia, you will be less concerned about picking up something too heavy with a cart that can handle the task. And you won’t get more back or neck pain from carrying heavy items. Plus, since the cart is a personal item, you don’t need to worry about how many dirty hands have touched the cart’s handles (a particular concern during a global pandemic).
What to Look for When Shopping for Grocery Carts for Seniors
As you start shopping for grocery carts for seniors, consider the different ways you may use the cart. For instance, you might take your cart with you to your garden center when picking up plants for your patio, balcony, or window garden. Bring your cart along when you go to a farmer’s market. Holiday shopping burdens become much lighter when you’re equipped with your own cart. A cart eliminates the wear and tear of carrying that heavy box of cat litter or package of dog food. You get the picture.
With these uses in mind, look for carts with the following features:
- Space and capacity: How many bags or items can the cart handle?
- Size: Is the cart big and bulky, or small and compact?
- Swivel wheels: Swivel wheels are essential for optimal maneuverability.
- Weight capacity: How heavy of a load can the cart carry?
- Non-slip handle grip: This can make it easier to use and helps avoid blisters.
- Capability to move large or heavy items: Does the cart have a trolley that can handle heavy or oversized items?
- Storage space: How much room will the cart take up when not in use?
- Spots for personal items: Does the cart provide a place for a water bottle, a purse, or other personal items?
- Construction: Is the cart made of steel or a softer material?
- Bag: Some carts include a removable bag. Make sure it’s sturdy.
Considering these factors will help you choose the best grocery cart for you or your senior loved one.
Ten Best Grocery Carts for Seniors
Today’s marketplace features carts light-years beyond the old rickety carts Grandma and Grandpa had to contend with. Check out these recommendations.
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Best All-Around Grocery Carts for Seniors
1. Versa-Cart Transit
The frame on this cart is alloyed steel, providing strength and stability. The basket is made of water-resistant poly-blend canvas and includes an optional lid to cover your packages during bad weather. Weight capacity is 120 pounds. The cart has double swivel wheels in front and back and a grip for each hand. The cart weighs nine pounds and collapses into a tidy 8″X9″ footprint, making it easy to store in a closet or kitchen pantry. No assembly is needed except for clipping on the wheels. Buyers give this cart a five-star rating.
2. Joovy Boot Lightweight Shopping Cart
Another five-star rated cart, the Joovy Boot, is a little pricier than the Versa-Cart, but it has some features that are well worth considering. Although it weighs just 15 pounds, the Boot can carry up to 55 pounds of cargo. It’s easily collapsible for storage or transport. The Boot’s primary shopping bag is made from mesh and features convenient carrying straps. There’s also a lower mesh “deck” under the basket for other items. Joovy also carries a line of accessories for the Boot, including a rain cover and a personal organizer that can hold keys, a phone, a water bottle, and more. One note: the handle is not adjustable.
3. Pipishell Shopping Cart with Dual Swivel Wheels
Another five-star winner, this sturdy metal cart weighs slightly over 10 pounds and is also collapsible for easy storage. Constructed of powder-coated iron, the cart holds up to 66 pounds of cargo. The handle is adjustable and heavily padded for comfort. The swivel wheels provide good maneuverability in tight spaces. It comes unassembled, but reviewers say it is easy to put together. There’s no lower deck or a pouch for personal items—just a very basic cart at a moderate price point.
Best Carts for Seniors Dealing with Stairs
4. Stair Climber Bigger Trolley Dolly
If you live in a city with big curbs or cracked concrete, it’s easier to get a cart designed for rough terrain and stairs. This “Shark Tank”-winning Trolley Dolly can handle the bumps and keeps going. It weighs only 7 pounds and folds down into a tidy, almost flat bundle for storage. The Dolly features eight storage compartments, including front and rear pockets, an inner pouch, an umbrella holder, and a beverage holder. The polyester bag is removable—as a result, you can also use the frame as a dolly for boxes, cases of water bottles, etc.
