Gwangjin-gu Operates Grocery Shopping Program with Seniors with Dementia

Even Simple Grocery Shopping Becomes Difficult for Those with Dementia... Volunteers Help Seniors with Dementia Shop Together to Enhance Cognitive Function

Grocery Shopping

Gwangjin-gu (District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) is drawing attention by operating a shopping support program called ‘Jangbogo’ to assist elderly dementia patients with their daily lives.

Even simple shopping is difficult for elderly dementia patients. From choosing the place to buy necessary items to making payments, they experience various stresses throughout the entire process. As a result, social activities gradually decrease, and dementia symptoms often worsen.

In response, the Gwangjin-gu Dementia Safety Center has been supporting shopping for 20 elderly individuals living alone or elderly couples with dementia since April.

Elderly dementia patients are given a monthly Onnuri gift certificate worth 20,000 KRW, and a dementia-specialized volunteer visits the elderly’s home once a month to plan what to buy and where to go, then accompanies them on the shopping trip.

At this time, the volunteer does not provide full assistance but helps the elderly perform the shopping activity independently and strengthen their cognitive functions.

Additionally, separate from the shopping support, an extra visit is made once a month to conduct learning activities aimed at cognitive stimulation.

The shopping support program will continue until December. For inquiries or to participate as a volunteer, contact the Gwangjin-gu Dementia Safety Center or the Health Management Division of the Gwangjin-gu Public Health Center.

District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho said, “We are supporting elderly people to maintain their daily lives independently without worsening dementia,” and added, “We will continue to create a healthy Gwangjin where dementia patients and their families can live well through various support programs.”