Many carers are having a hard time these days amid the epidemic.

'I'm very worried my mom might get sick. Even if it wasn't for the new coronavirus disease, she has to go hospital to see doctor anyway...but think about how high-risk to go to hospitals now!' said a carer.

Some elderly people need to take insulin shots every day and they need alcohol wipe after the shot. However, these wipes are so hard to get these days, and carers have to try really hard to look for supplies.

Senior service users are advised not to come to our daycare centres during the epidemic. Since then, an elderly woman with dementia has been stuck at home. Spending a lot of time sleeping, her sleep schedule is disrupted so much that she once left home in the middle of the night and almost got lost. Having nothing much to do at home, she started rummaging through things and always makes a mess at home. Her carer, who also has to stay home with her, has been annoyed to no end.

Another carer has booked in advance a place of residential respite service for an elder as her domestic helper is taking leave. However, due to the coronavirus situation, the residence only notified her at short notice that no visit from family would be allowed, and the elder must be isolated for 14 days in a single room. Worried that the elder couldn't adjust to life under quarantine, the carer tried to find other private residence in a hurry, but some of them refused to accept elders with dementia as it might be difficult to have the elders abided by the isolation measures. Others admitted that they might have to tie up those elders who fail to follow the epidemic prevention measures. Up till the last minutes, the family was still struggling with making a decision.

A carer called our Centre for days, asking if we had masks for sale. She was worried sick and very anxious, 'We only have half a box of fake, very thin surgical masks left at home! My mom's feet are seriously swollen now. I'm still wondering whether I should send her to the hospital. If she is admitted, I must give her more masks in advance as no visit is allowed now. I need to attend her closely every day, how can I go out to queue up for masks? Some drug stores on Nathan Road are selling masks at $400 a box. How could I afford it? I'm not asking for anything special. All I want is to get some anti-epidemic materials at reasonable price. Adult diapers, cotton balls, disposable gloves...I need money to meet all these needs. Now I can't even buy any disposable gloves, a must-have for me to change her diapers and clean her wounds.'

A bit of warmth in hard times
We are glad to see something heartwarming, a carer came to our Centre to pick up the adult diapers she had previously ordered. 'It must be so hard for you to keep coming out to buy things for the elders in times like these. Thank you so much,' I said. 'No, I should be the one who say thank you for keeping the Centre open and bringing us these everyday items we need,' said the carer, whose tired eyes were gleaming with gratitude. As I saw her walking out, it saddened me to think of just how little these carers were asking for, but at the same time I was glad that she stayed positive with a grateful heart  despite adversity.

When I call the carers trying to send them my greetings, very often they will ask whether our staff have enough masks and if the other carers are doing well. This is indeed heartwarming. It is exactly in such troubled times that we can feel the power of goodwill. Let us remain hopeful and support each other.

Theodora Li
The Salvation Army Carer Service Social Worker; 
Online columnist of Mingpao Weekly.