Meals on Wheels driver Doresta McIntosh displays the smartphone she’s using as part of the new delivery tracking system for Meals on Wheels at Somerville Cambridge Elder Services. The system provides smartphone users with delivery updates and the ability to track the delivery driver’s progress on the delivery route.

By Nathan Lamb

Meals on Wheels patrons in Cambridge and Somerville can now manage deliveries and receive updates on their order through a new smartphone delivery tracking system.

Launched by Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) in September, the smartphone tracking system sends text notifications when a delivery is scheduled and when the meal is on its way. The system also allows clients to cancel orders and track progress of the delivery driver.

SCES Nutrition Director Deborah McLean said the smartphone program provides better service and makes the program more efficient.

“We’re really excited about this program, because it will make it easier for our patrons to track the status of their orders and cancel, if they need to,” said McLean. “Instead of calling us to ask where the driver is, they can now check their smartphones to get an ETA on the delivery.”

The smartphone tracking is available at no extra cost to Meals on Wheels recipients. SCES notified patrons of the new program with a full-page flyer on its September Meals on Wheels menu. SCES entered the phone numbers of clients into the system over the summer, so patrons with smartphones should have started receiving the texts when the program launched in early September, said McLean.

The SCES Meals on Wheels program served more than 240,000 meals last year. It delivers hot midday meals and bag suppers from Monday to Sunday, and frozen meals for weekends.

For more information about the smartphone tracking program or Meals on Wheels, contact the SCES Nutrition program by calling 617-628-2601.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) is a non-profit agency that supports the independence and well-being of older people in Somerville and Cambridge. For more information, visit eldercare.org, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, or contact the SCES Aging Information Center at 617-628-2601 for free advice and guidance.