From parkour for seniors to stylish adult diapers, Singapore youths are revitalising the business of eldercare

Mr Chan noted that his clients’ medical conditions can heavily affect their mood, with some feeling dizzy, nauseous or just extremely drained pre- or post-dialysis – and it’s not uncommon for this to result in unsavoury incidents. 

One client, upset over a late pickup, hurled a curry puff at one of Mr Chan’s drivers – the same curry puff the driver had bought for the client on his way over.

Nevertheless, Mr Chan tries to go the extra mile even when patients are difficult, knowing their frustration often masks something deeper.

Once, just a year into running the business, he arrived to pick up a dialysis patient who refused to leave the house.

Mr Chan didn’t press; he thought the man just needed rest. Hours later, the police called to tell him the patient had passed away. Mr Chan was the last person to see him alive. 

It’s been years, but Mr Chan still finds himself wracked with regret. “Maybe if I had tried even harder, I could have saved someone’s life,” he said. 

Now, he spends more time and effort on patients who hesitate or refuse transport, asking them what’s wrong, listening and gently persuading them to go for treatments.

Most eventually acquiesce once they feel heard, he added.