Convenience Stores Become Learning Hubs: 'Mengpo Experience' Helps Foreign Caregivers Understand Dementia

(Central News Agency, reporter Chen Jieling, Taipei, 27th) Convenience stores have become respite and learning hubs for foreign caregivers. The Hongdao Foundation, in collaboration with translation teachers, is holding 'Mengpo Experience' sessions at convenience stores to teach dementia care techniques. An Indonesian caregiver who participated learned that her grandmother's resistance to bathing stemmed from fear of water temperature, and she now gently pats water on the grandmother's hand to reassure her before bathing.

The Hongdao Senior Citizens' Welfare Foundation launched the 'Mengpo Experience' in 2025 (the 114th year of the Republic of China). Participants drink 'Mengpo soup,' transform into travelers, and step into the world of dementia for an immersive learning experience. Using cognitive impairment cards, participants deduce the reasons behind dementia behaviors—such as why elderly individuals resist bathing—and then use action inspiration cards to design more friendly interaction methods and environments.

This year, with support from the 'Dementia-Friendly Plan' donation boxes at 7-ELEVEN stores, Hongdao has partnered with translation teachers to offer 'Understanding Dementia Mengpo Experience' sessions and individual 'In-Home Care Skills Guidance,' helping foreign caregivers 'understand and apply' what they learn, so they no longer face caregiving pressure alone.

Indonesian caregiver Sasa shared that after participating in the 'Mengpo Experience' held at a 7-ELEVEN store, she suddenly understood that her grandmother's aversion to bathing was due to dementia-related fear of water temperature. She now plans to first scoop water and gently pat it on her grandmother's hand to reassure her before bathing.

Hongdao Foundation CEO Li Ruoqi stated that language and communication are the biggest challenges for foreign caregivers, and dementia adds another layer of difficulty. The 'Mengpo Experience – Foreign Caregiver Special Session' and 'In-Home Care Guidance Service' help foreign caregivers overcome language barriers, understand and empathize with dementia, acquire caregiving skills, and find physical and mental respite.

According to surveys and estimates by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan's dementia population aged 65 and over exceeds 380,000. The latest 'Guardians at the Care Scene: A Survey on Dementia Caregivers' found that nearly 60% of home-based dementia caregivers feel high physical and mental burden and need nearby rest spaces. Among Taiwanese dementia families, 50% require foreign caregivers, 90% of whom come from Southeast Asia.

Foreign family caregivers are spread across communities nationwide. 40% provide round-the-clock solo care, resting only an average of 2 days per month. They live long-term with employers in shared spaces, lacking independent rest areas. Over 80% cannot freely go out and can only briefly visit nearby places for daily necessities or remittances. Thus, 7-ELEVEN stores, just 10 minutes away, have become their short respite spots.

Aileen, from the Philippines, has cared for 75-year-old Xiuzhen, who has mild dementia, for over two years. She shared via a press release that 7-ELEVEN stores this year launched 'Memory Cafés,' using diverse activities to let dementia patients and foreign caregivers enjoy time together. That day, both Xiuzhen and she were happy to buy their favorite snacks, and she thanked the program for also caring for foreign caregivers.

From September to November this year, 7-ELEVEN launched a dementia-friendly plan, partnering with the Hongdao Foundation, the Catholic Saint Mother Foundation, and the Bijiashi Foundation to create a 10-minute care living circle around 7-ELEVEN stores, extending care services from dementia patients to families and foreign caregivers. (Editor: Li Shuhua) 1150927

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