A Life of Service for Seniors

When Mr John Loh, lead driver for TOUCH’s Medical Escort and Transport (MET) service team, found out that a senior under his care had died by suicide, he was shocked and heartbroken. A week before his death in 2019, John had observed that the senior – who was in his 70s and living alone, was unusually quiet, but he never expected the man to take his own life.  

This incident was a turning point in John’s career and marked the start of him taking on a proactive approach to reaching out to lonely seniors and connecting them to community support. 

“Life felt so fragile. After that, I thought that I needed to encourage the seniors to join community activities so that they will have friends and support from one another,” shares John.  

Providing Support Whenever Possible 

As the lead driver, John shuttles as many as 10 seniors a day to their medical appointments from their homes. These seniors often have mobility issues and need help moving around. Many of them do not have caregivers who are able to provide support. Sometimes, John also accompanies them for their hospital consultations and helps as a translator for seniors who cannot speak English.  

Caption: John helping a senior with mobility issues alight from the MET van safely.  

To reach out to lonely seniors, John makes it a point to invite them to enjoy a meal together during his lunch break at the nearby coffee shop. “I’ve always had a heart for seniors, and I know many of them struggle with loneliness and feel suicidal. I do my best to reach out to them and build rapport, so they know there’s someone there for them.”  

Thanks to his efforts, some seniors have opened up to John about their struggles. He recalls a senior in his 70s who was depressed and suicidal due to his health condition. However, after confiding in John and receiving encouragement, the senior brightened up and became more cheerful and chatty.  

To John, it doesn’t matter if the senior is a client, or someone he may not know. “Whether it’s helping them buy their lunch, guiding them to the nearest bus stop or just being a listening ear, I try to help them out in any way I can. I hope it helps to make their day better.” 

Putting Others First

John’s heart for serving others began when he started volunteering more than four decades ago. Together with his wife, John mentored children for two hours every week at a children’s enrichment club. By teaching them craft and nature studies, John was able to help build their personal development holistically.  

Building on his volunteering experience, John keeps a look out for children from disadvantaged families and encourages parents to explore free enrichment classes provided by social service organisations.  

Being familiar with TOUCH’s range of elderly services, John also actively encourages his friends and loved ones to attend an Active Ageing Centre nearest to them.  

“When I meet up with my friends, I always make sure to check up on their well-being. As we approach our golden years, it’s important to keep ourselves both mentally and physically active to lead purposeful lives.”  

Caption: John (3rd from right) at the Healthcare Humanity Awards 2024.  
 
John is one of five individuals from TOUCH who received the Healthcare Humanity Awards 2024, which recognises outstanding healthcare and community care professionals who have gone beyond their call of duty to offer care and comfort to those in need. We are so proud of our colleagues who have gone the extra mile for our clients! 

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Story published in 2024.