Gently unwrapping the plastic covering the old man's damaged feet -- skin darkened and cracked, nails lumpen and deformed -- the Hong Kong beautician doesn't flinch, but picks up her tools and gets to work. Once or twice a month, Cass Ng switches her nail polish collection for tough scissors, nail files and an electric nail drill, and offer free pedicures to low-income elderly people who cannot afford healthcare and do not have family to fall back on. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES