Elderly No Longer Housebound: Hung Tao Burger Breakfast Gatherings Alleviate Loneliness

87-year-old Grandma Li-Ching had gradually withdrawn into her home due to frequent falls in recent years. However, the weekly breakfast gatherings organized by the Hung Tao Elderly Welfare Foundation at MOS Burger have helped ease her loneliness. With volunteer support, she participated in a rice dumpling wrapping event during the Dragon Boat Festival, rediscovering human warmth amid festive cheer.

The rice dumpling wrapping event is more than just a seasonal celebration—it is a vital moment that strengthens emotional bonds between the Hung Tao Elderly Welfare Foundation and elderly community members. The foundation recently shared in a press release that its Beitou volunteer station hosted the event, where volunteers prepared ingredients while elders wrapped dumplings and chatted. Each dumpling, uniquely shaped, mirrored the elders’ one-of-a-kind life experiences.

Grandma Li-Ching was one of the elders participating this year. Though her husband has passed, she has children and friends who support her, helping her gradually move past grief. Her happiest daily moments used to be taking the bus to community classes and chatting with classmates. However, in recent years, her physical and cognitive functions have declined, leading to frequent falls. This made her afraid to go out alone, causing her to miss gatherings with friends and her favorite classes, making her life increasingly quiet and her conversations fewer.

Fortunately, Grandma Li-Ching shares a close bond with her sister-in-law, Hsiu-Chih, who is a volunteer at the Beitou station of Hung Tao’s Taipei service center. Concerned about Li-Ching’s decreasing outings, Hsiu-Chih began inviting her to weekly breakfast gatherings at MOS Burger several years ago. There, Li-Ching enjoys breakfast, conversation, and mutual companionship with volunteers and other elders.

During the dumpling event, elders skillfully used their memories to craft uniquely styled dumplings. Hsiu-Chih brought Li-Ching along to join in. "Hsiu-Chih is the child I’ve watched grow up," said Grandma Li-Ching. Now that she is older, it’s Hsiu-Chih’s turn to accompany her, introducing her to other elders and volunteers served by Hung Tao. With everyone’s company, her heart feels more fulfilled.

The Hung Tao Elderly Welfare Foundation’s Taipei service center runs the 'No More Singing Alone in Sorrow—Ending Elderly Loneliness' care program, supporting isolated and elderly seniors in the community. Currently operating five volunteer stations in Taipei’s Songshan, Beitou, Nangang, and Neihu districts, as well as Wujie Township in Yilan County, the foundation encourages elders to leave their homes and make friends through home visits, material aid, resource linkage, community events, and diverse services.

Chien Yi-Ju, group leader at the Taipei service center, stated that with the rapid development of an aging society, loneliness is no longer just an individual issue but a societal challenge. The foundation aims to build long-term, stable, and warm companionship through localized service models, transforming elders from mere care recipients into valued, needed members of the community once connections are established. (Edited by Chang Ming-Kun) 1150617

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