"Wishing for the advancement of nursing care goods"

Hello. My name is Sasaoka, and I work as a caregiver in Tokyo. Today, I'd like to share what I've actually seen and felt in the caregiving field.

I am currently in my 10th year as a caregiver. While my main focus is on caring for the elderly, I also assist individuals who have become physically impaired due to injury or illness.

As you know, in recent years, the barrier-free accessibility of facilities and public institutions has advanced considerably compared to 10 years ago. However, the inconveniences of everyday items often remain unresolved, making them difficult to use for those with physical disabilities.

Products such as chopsticks and pencils are marketed as "caregiving aids," but they mostly serve as mere "assistance." Given this situation, individuals with physical disabilities still require "human help" to eat and shop independently.

In recent years, cashless payment has become more common, but many elderly people view "digital" as "difficult" and are reluctant to adopt it. When shopping at the register, they may struggle to take out money, causing a line to form behind them. Some people become averse to shopping or staying at home due to concerns about such situations.

I sincerely hope that wallets, chopsticks, pens, and other items that are easy for people with hand disabilities to use will continue to evolve in the future.