\n<\/p>\n
Despite their motivation, many of these youths soon discover that the business of eldercare is not for the faint of heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mr Chan of Shalom Medcare said that for his team of 21 drivers, every pick-up and drop-off involves numerous considerations beyond traffic conditions.<\/p>\n
Before every trip, his team goes over details the average passenger likely never thinks about \u2013 for instance, slopes or inclines for wheelchair-bound clients, and whether a client is wearing\u00a0covered\u00a0shoes before boarding their vehicles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For diabetic patients, even a small knock or scrape against a wall or door can be dangerous. Slow healing can lead to infection or, in severe cases, amputation.<\/p>\n
Even more challenging: learning to deal with old or sick clients who can be irritable or particularly difficult.<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 and it’s not uncommon for this to result in unsavoury incidents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One client, upset over a late pickup, hurled a curry puff at one of Mr Chan’s drivers \u2013 the same curry puff the driver had bought for the client on his way over.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Mr Chan tries to go the extra mile even when patients are difficult, knowing their frustration often masks something deeper.<\/p>\n
Once, just a year into running the business, he arrived to pick up a dialysis patient who refused to leave the house.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u2019s life,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Most eventually acquiesce once they feel heard, he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n