Personal loss led a local entrepreneur to identify a gap in elder care
A difficult family experience sparked a business helping seniors remain in the comfort of their own homes.
A personal family challenge has inspired Lonehill resident Alison Buchanan (33) to create a service aimed at supporting elderly residents while preserving their independence.
Buchanan, founder of Ali Cares, said the idea for her business resulted from her time living in Cape Town as a stay-at-home mom, when her grandfather required frequent medical visits while living in Gqeberha.
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“With family members working and raising young children, it was difficult for anyone to take him to his appointments consistently, and I wasn’t comfortable just putting him in an Uber. He needed someone to ensure he got there safely and was properly looked after.”
With no suitable services available at the time, Buchanan turned to friends, offering to pay them to assist. That experience stayed with her and made her realise there was a real gap in the market.
A few months later, while looking for part-time work, Buchanan uploaded her CV online in search of a personal assistant role. It was through this platform that she was contacted by a woman in the United States whose father had been hospitalised in South Africa.
“She couldn’t get hold of the doctors, nurses, or even her father, I remember dropping everything that morning and going straight to the hospital,” she said.
The experience led to a long-term working relationship and ultimately laid the foundation for her business.
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Following her grandfather’s passing nearly three years ago, Buchanan officially launched Ali Cares, which serves residents in Steyn City, Dainfern, Fourways, Broadacres, Bryanston, and Lonehill, to name a few, also involving outside areas.
“He loved his home and didn’t want to move into a care facility, and that’s something many elderly people feel strongly about. Ali Cares is about allowing people to remain independent in their own homes while still receiving the support they need.”
@caxtonjoburgnorth Alison Buchanan explaining how Ali Cares has expanded from helping one family to majority Video: Reitumetse Gugushe #caxtonlocalmedia #newsupdate #Localnews #johannesburg #Communitynews #Fourways #2026 ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
Ali Cares offers services like errands, companionship, admin help, transportation, tech assistance, post-op recovery support, and many more.
“I have an amazing relationship with all of my clients, and I always want them to feel comfortable when they are around me because I know it’s not easy for them to have to trust someone they don’t know, but it’s always amazing to be a part of their lives.”
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