"The demand is beyond my expectation, and we couldn't provide the necessary service for many requesting help because of a severe shortage of manpower," Chiang said.

Nevertheless, the demand will continue to pile up, she anticipated.

It is frustrating to see that many residents couldn't find anyone to turn to, as some distress helplines are fully occupied, the veteran pharmacist said.

In most cases, volunteers had to make back-and-forth calls with the elderly or their family members in order to sort out the formality for medicine pickups at hospitals. It is also time-consuming, as the volunteers have to run to various hospitals, wait in line to get the medicines and go through the formalities.

"There is so much that we can handle in one day," Chiang said. "But we will have extra experienced hands on Tuesday to help out.

"As a pharmacist, I felt obliged to help out, and it is really worthwhile," Chiang said.