A week before our Santiniketan trip, Ms. M. Choudhury suffered a fall and injured her knees. As a result, she was hesitant about making the journey. Concerned for her well-being, we advised her not to strain herself, and she decided to cancel her reservations. However, her son, trusting the Support Elders team, encouraged her to travel with us instead of staying home. After some deliberation, she changed her mind, and our team swiftly rebooked her reservations.
On the day of departure, Ms. Choudhury was escorted in a wheelchair. At Howrah station, she was assisted up the steps of the coach and helped to her seat. During boarding, another member, Ms. R. Khastgir, lost a slipper on the tracks but chose not to mention it, assuming it was lost. Noticing this, SE manager Mr. G. Basak quickly arranged for it to be retrieved from the tracks.
At Bolpur, disembarking was difficult for Ms. Choudhury, but Mr. Basak carried her down with all his strength. Thanks to our team’s care, she travelled comfortably and enjoyed every part of the trip with us. At Support Elders, we ensure that no one is left behind, no matter the challenge.
Kudos to Team Support Elders!
The Power of Persistence
One of our members, Mr. R. Dasgupta, an octogenarian, faced an emergency situation requiring an MRI scan to investigate a suspected brain tumor. MCA Mr. G. Patra was assigned to assist him. Upon arriving at the member’s house, Mr. Patra found the family distressed, with the member’s spouse in tears. He consoled them and assured them that he would take care of every need. He then accompanied them to the hostpital for the MRI scan.
During the procedure, the radiologist discovered that the member had a pacemaker implanted, making it unsafe to perform the MRI scan as metal objects are not compatible with the procedure. The solution required deactivating the pacemaker temporarily before proceeding with the scan.
Mr. Patra diligently searched through the member’s prescription file and found that the pacemaker procedure had been done at a different hospital. He called the other hospital for assistance but was informed that they would not be able to help him. Undeterred, Mr. Patra identified the name of the pacemaker company from the documents and began searching online for contact information. He managed to connect with a representative and explained the urgency, requesting them to send a technician before 5 PM. Unfortunately, the representative declined.
Knowing that it would be extremely challenging to bring the member back for the MRI scan due to his fragile health, Mr. Patra escalated the matter by contacting the company manager directly. He explained the criticality of the situation and convinced the manager to send a technician to deactivate the pacemaker temporarily. Thanks to his presence of mind and relentless efforts, the member was able to complete the MRI scan within the stipulated time.
The member’s daughter, who resides abroad, was deeply impressed by Mr. Patra’s commitment and resourcefulness. She subsequently requested the Regional Head to ensure that Mr. Patra accompanies her father for all follow-up therapies required as part of his treatment.
Prompt Action in a Moment of Crisis
Our new member, Ms. R. Ganguly, subscribed to our Well@Home solution and was entitled to receive her first visit from our Care Integrator (CI). Mr. A. Barua, CI Operations Manager, made a scheduled visit to discuss her health issues with her daughter. During the discussion, he learnt that dementia had set in for the member and that she was extremely weak due to neurological issues. Suddenly, they heard the member’s attendant scream. Mr. Barua and the member’s daughter rushed to the other room and found Ms. Ganguly lying on the floor. While trying to get out of bed, she had lost her balance and had fallen. Due to her weak condition, she was unable to get up.
Mr. Barua first ensured she was not hurt and had not sustained any fractures. He then asked for a thick bed sheet. Expertly, he slid the bed sheet underneath Ms. Ganguly and, with assistance from the attendant, lifted her off the floor. He laid her gently back onto the bed and ensured she was comfortable. Ms. Ganguly and her daughter were extremely thankful for his help, and the member blessed him for his prompt and compassionate assistance.
Kudos to team Support Elders!
Quick Assessment, Swift Action
Our trips with members are always enjoyable, but occasionally, unforeseen mishaps require our staff to spring into action! In November 2024, we travelled to Varanasi with our members. One day, Ms. G. Kundu fell in her room. The door was chain-locked from the inside, and she was too shaken to open it. Our staff member, Mr. Md. Moniruddin, managed to unlock the door using a wooden teaspoon and found that Ms. Kundu had sustained
a head injury.
He quickly assessed the situation and asked ECS Ops staff member Ms. D. Bose to stay with Ms. Kundu’s husband, a dementia patient who was also traveling with us. Ms. Bose’s presence helped calm Mr. Kundu while Mr. Moniruddin took the injured member to a nearby hospital, where she received stitches. He then purchased her prescribed medicines and escorted her safely back to the hotel.
The entire situation was handled with exceptional efficiency by Mr. Moniruddin, and with Ms. Bose’s support, they successfully resolved the issue without causing panic among the other members.