Abstract

This study examined the shopping behavior of older persons who have been issued a Certification of Support Needs through Japan’s Long-Term Care Insurance Act. Result: first, while most of the interviewees were physically able to access shopping facilities, some reported difficulties in finding and carrying goods, and consideration for actual satisfaction of shopping needs is required. Second, as a result of the decline in physical and mental functioning, as well as perceived negative change in physical appearance, many interviewees were less inclined to go shopping. However, some utilized shopping as an opportunity to help their friends despite the difficulty experienced going outside, and attention should be paid for satisfying their wish to help others. Third, self-reliant coping behaviors have limitations due to onset of frailty, and thoughtful and appropriate assistance is indispensable. Furthermore, hesitancy to accept assistance beyond their original shopping purposes has been observed and this hesitency should be diminished, and interviewees and surrounding people’s understanding on assistive device for dealing with difficulty in going outside together seemed to be important.