Dementia Education Is The First Step For Cooperation: An Observational Study Of The Cooperation Between Convenience Stores And Community General Support Centers

Aim The dementia supporter training program is conducted by community general support centers (CGSCs) to raise dementia awareness. Convenience stores are widespread throughout Japan, and they play an important role in the daily lives of older adults. We examined whether participation of convenience stores in the program promotes cooperation between the stores and CGSCs. Methods Using data from a nationwide survey, we conducted a longitudinal observational study. Participation of stores in the program and cooperation with CGSC were measured. The proportion of cooperation with CGSCs in 2017 and 2018 were compared between stores that had already participated in the program in 2016 (participation group) and those that did not (non-participation group). Results Of the 14 884 stores, 542 stores participated in the program in 2016. In 2017 and 2018, 8.1% and 7.2% of the participation group cooperated with CGSCs, while 3.2% and 4.0% of the non-participation group did. Conclusions Dementia supporter training programs could be an opportunity to promote cooperation between convenience stores and CGSCs to support older adults.Geriatr Gerontol Int center dot center dot; center dot center dot: center dot center dot-center dot center dot Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; center dot center dot: center dot center dot-center dot center dot.