Main Themes:

• Challenges of grocery shopping for people with limited mobility: The document highlights the difficulties individuals with mobility issues face while grocery shopping, emphasizing tasks like bending, reaching, and carrying heavy bags.
• Strategies and tools to improve accessibility: The briefing doc focuses on various tools and strategies to enhance the shopping experience for people with mobility challenges, ranging from in-store assistance to utilizing assistive devices.
• Kroger Boost program as a solution: The document presents Kroger Boost as a potential solution for seniors and individuals with mobility limitations, offering convenience and cost-effectiveness.

Most Important Ideas/Facts:

Challenges:

• Grocery shopping requires a significant amount of physical exertion, posing challenges for people with limited mobility.
• Older shoppers and individuals with disabilities may face additional difficulties in navigating stores and handling groceries.

Solutions:

In-store strategies:

• Customer service assistance: Seek help from store employees for retrieving items and carrying groceries.
• Mobility scooters and carts: Utilize available in-store mobility aids for easier navigation.
• Non-peak hours shopping: Shop during less crowded times to avoid tight spaces and ensure better assistance availability.

Assistive devices and tools:

• Extender grabbers: Essential for reaching high or low shelves without straining.
• Backpacks: Offer a hands-free carrying solution for lighter loads.
• Grocery bag holders: Facilitate carrying multiple bags at once.
• Dolly carts: Ideal for transporting heavier groceries, with options for stair climbing.
• Baskets: Provide a convenient way to carry items within the store and to the car.
• Specialized shopping bags: Lotus Trolley Bags for organized cart loading and easy transport, foldable bags for sturdiness, mesh produce bags for easy access.
• Cup and phone holders: Attach to carts or walkers to free up hands.

Kroger Boost Program:

• Subscription service offering free delivery and fuel savings: Available in two tiers: Boost by Kroger Plus ($59/year for next-day delivery) and Boost by Kroger Premium ($99/year for same-day delivery).
• Benefits for older adults: Increased convenience and accessibility due to free delivery, eliminates the need for physical store visits, consistent access to fresh groceries.
• Challenges: Limited availability in certain areas, potential difficulties for seniors unfamiliar with online ordering platforms.

Key Quotes:

• Cathy Ellis, retired physical therapist: "Grocery shopping can have extra challenges for older shoppers and folks with limited mobility... [suggesting] going to customer service to ask for assistance when grocery shopping in person and utilizing the mobility scooters or motorized shopping carts available for use."
• Jim Wynne, Certified Orthotist and Prosthetist: "... recommends finding out when your store is less crowded and grocery shopping at non-peak hours... fewer people and carts in the aisle can give you more room to safely move around without feeling rushed or pushed."

Article Source:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/products-grocery-shopping-easier-older-adults-limited-mobility_l_677ecdb3e4b018662a3babd4