Keeping them in our prayers.

when it rains it pours sometimes doesn't it Stacy! So sorry to hear about your in-laws and I will be keeping them and your family in my prayers. Please try to convince your MIL not to lift more than what she's been told. A friend of mine didn't listen and was carrying things with her casted arm and it didn't heal properly and had to have it re-broken and casted for another 8 weeks.
Diane

Your MIL, FIL, DH, and You are all in my prayers.

You are all in my thoughts!! I would probably make them up some individual meals and freeze them. You can buy the cheap plastic containers and use them.

Meatloaf, with a veggie on the side and maybe some potatoes (pre-cook them---roast with the meatloaf or boil them in some chicken or beef broth).

Hamburger steak, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn. (I am going for the meat-potatoes thing here.) The gravy doesn't have to be on top...it could be in a smaller container on the side.

Shepards pie is always easy and very good.

Beef Stroganoff that could be put over toast, rice or noodles. (The noodles and rice could be frozen.)

There are some mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, scalloped potatoes, etc. in the refrigerated section (can't remember the brand) that are not bad. You could buy a couple of store roasted chickens to go along with them.

(I am thinking microwave here, so that no pans are being lifted.)

Hope that helps. (((Hugs)))

Are your inlaws over 60 years old? They might qualify for assistance through the Department on Aging in your state. Ask the home health agency if they have a social worker that might refer assistance. Or contact the area Senior Center. Illinois has a wonderful homemaker program where qualifying seniors can get services for meal making, cleaning, shopping,and even transportation to doctors. Of course, it helps to have family, and I know how hard it can be. Please check it out in your state.
Prayers for you all.
Jan

Oh, sometimes it seems things just happen all at once, doesn't it? Sounds like you have a good plan, but I'll sure pray for them.
;-)

As Jampack suggested, there should be senior services available to them. They can provide someone who can do light housekeeping, meal prep and bathing. Also senior transportation to physical therapy. The discharge planner or social worker at the hospital should be able to provide a list of services.

We've been in a similar situation recently, and I cooked double for at home and put the "leftovers" into disposable tins (dollar store) and containers.

I labeled everything w/cooking directions-time & temp...add sauce to the meatloaf the last 5 min., etc...Then I froze what was freezable, and when the meals were delivered, instructions were given to eat the 1-2 UNfrozen meals first.

Although they are meat & potatoes people I bet they'd be grateful for just about any sort of meal that's home-cooked, and with love, at that!

Some suggestions:
spaghetti (also chicken spaghetti)
meatloaf
sloppy joes
grilled chicken - grilled sausage
chili (white chili, too)
casseroles that are freezable
OH, I almost forgot! An ALL-TIME favorite! Italian Beef

Our meals were for one of our college aged sons (serious injuries, but Praise the Lord, he is recovering with minimal long term issues) so meal ideas were probably easier than what you are facing.

Best wishes to you and your family. I pray they make a speedy recovery and that this doesn't take too much a toll on you and your immediate family.

Melody

Sending good thoughts their way!!

See if there is a Meals On Wheels or similar program that would deliver meals to them.

DH and I have been having problems for the last month and a half,but not near as bad as as your inlaws. We will pray for them. Our sons and families help what they can. We have been keeping frozen entrees on hand when we just can't do our own cooking.Some aren't too bad. God Bless

Here is a website that looks like it has some good ideas. Hope your in-laws are feeling better soon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Once a Month Cooking Ideas

As Lydia said, check on Meals on Wheels to see if in their vicinity. We are out in the country and our little town's senior center delivers meals to homebound and elderly. Home health programs usually have aides that go into the homes to help with meals, cleaning, bathing, etc. They could possibly fix a lunch for them and something they can warm up for evening meal.

I was going to suggest meals on wheels. My Dad got that for a while and the servings were so generous that he usually got 2 meals out of it. Probably their appetites aren't big since they're "under the weather." Some of the frozen dinners aren't bad--mainly Marie Callendar. This is tough for all of ya'll but hopefully every day they'll improve. God bless.

When I had my two Patients here people bought over meals from church and other activities. But, ask people to please bring disposable containers. I still have dishes to return to people and I don't know who bought what. Not to mention the extra work of washing dishes.

Gayle

The other thing is are there any responsible teens either out of school or soon to be out to drive, cook, garden works. Neighbors? Relatives? Also are you near any nursing homes or assited living homes? Some of those people will work extra hours. Churches? Social Clubs? If you can get an assorted group of voulunteers, make a list, time, jobs needed to be done, and put it on a calendar. Do they need someone at night? Nurses and begining Dr's sometimes need extra work also. Talk to the medical staff for ideas also. Social Services at the hospital will help.
Prayers on the way.

Special thoughts for your inlaws!

Thanks for the ideas. One of the problems is that they live in a rural area and meals on wheels isn't available to them. The home health people are coming on Monday and I thinking that I am going to go over when they are there to make sure that they get all the bases covered. My mil is the kind of person that is always the first to help others but never asks for help herself. I am going to call one of the church members that lives closest and see if they can get a group together to take meals over every other day or so. My FIL is the problem and thinks everything needs to be a hot dinner. Me I could make a pasta salad and we could eat it all week long with sandwiches or grilling out. But that wouldn't be enough for them. So will have to do some thinking. Also FIL's son ( MIL and FIL married when in their 50's ) lives in town and hasn't worked for months and has been taking money from mil and fil and part of me feels that he needs to step up and help. But I want to do what I can to help. With 3 kids under 4 and one more on the way, I have enough on my plate to deal with but will muddle through.

I think the most important thing is to be there when home health comes and to make sure that we cover all the bases, physical therepy for both of them, bathing, cleaning, and cooking. Otherwise I know that my mil won't ask for help, but I am not afraid to ask for help for her.

Stacie
girlsingardens

Take them some real chicken soup. LOL. Not the watered down, artificial flavored stuff in a can with two tidbits of chicken and a load of salt. Make them the real deal.

Stacie, I thought I'd posted to this a few days ago, but I guess not, or I did and it didn't show up. I was going to suggest Meals on Wheels, and the Visiting Nurses Assn.
I hope your In-laws are doing better by now.
Leslie