Chinese courier’s filial piety for mother with Alzheimer’s is a tough act to follow

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Senior Hongkongers play at a toy library designed for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease among the elderly, at the Sun Chui Lutheran Centre in Tai Wai, in May 2016. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 3:46pm, 26 Apr 2018Updated: 12:34pm, 15 Oct 2020

I was deeply touched to read your report on the delivery man in southwest China who has been taking his Alzheimer’s patient mother along on his bike for the past seven years to ensure that she is looked after at all times (“Chinese courier takes elderly mother on rounds with him because her Alzheimer’s means she cannot be left alone”, April 18).

“Mother has laboured her whole life for our family. So no matter how hard life is, I cannot shirk my responsibility of taking care of her,” was the reported comment from Cai Yujun, who secures his mother to his bike with rope as he makes deliveries to computer shops in Chengdu.

People with Alzheimer’s disease can have problems with language, and suffer from disorientation, mood swings and loss of motivation. They may also have difficulties with managing self care and develop behavioural issues. In Hong Kong, we usually hire domestic helpers because people are busy and do not have much time to take care of elderly family members.

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I think Cai has shown exemplary filial piety. Once children leave home and become independent, many soon forget how their parents had taken care of them. The parents grow anxious and hope their children could spend more time with them. Sadly, however, not many people can really follow Cai’s shining example.

Toby Fung, Kwai Chung