The landline phone is indispensable to an 89-year-old member of ours, who stays in a south Kolkata flat. The former teacher, whose vision is largely impaired, is not comfortable using a mobile. When two members of the Support Elders ECS Kolkata team recently visited her, they found the lady distraught about her dysfunctional landline phone. It cut her off from the outside world, even the building security guard. Though our smart alert watch assured her safety, the break in communication with her family upset her the most. .

The ECS Lead immediately called up the Area Coach and explained the problem. He, in turn, contacted a Member Care Associate with the help of the Operations Team Chief and asked him to visit the member and solve the problem. The member wanted the ECS Lead to go and pay the landline bill. The ECS Lead called up the customer care and found no amount pending against the bill..

Instead, he told the ECS Lead to check the phone cables. Finding no fault in those either, she booked a technician visit between 1.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. Accordingly, the Area Coach told the Member Care Associate to reach the member’s flat on time. The Member Care Associate attended to the technician at the member’s flat and ensured that the phone connection was restored. Later, the ECS Lead called up the member on her landline to cross-check.

The member sounded very relieved. She could not stop thanking the Support Elders family for being such a great help.

Support Elders Impact: Member relief is our topmost priority

Ms Gani, who stays in a flat under the care of Support Elders, was detected with arterial blockage during a routine ECG. The cardiologist advised her to go for pacemaker implantation.

The family members were informed of the doctor’s advice. The Support Elders staff started coordinating with the cardiologist and the member’s family to assist Ms Gani undergo all pre- and post-operative tests and making arrangements for admission at the hospital.

A day ahead of the surgery, an MCA accompanied the member and admitted her to the hospital. During the surgery and thereafter, the Zonal Coordinator regularly updated the member’s family on the situation.

The Support Elders staff monitored the situation right up to her discharge and even after she was put under the care of nurses at home.

Support Elders Impact: We give our heart to care for elders

One of our members, Dr Chakraborty, started getting stomach cramps around 8 on a Sunday evening. His son rushed out to search for an SOS medicine earlier prescribed by a doctor for similar symptoms. He failed to find the drug and sought help from our National Alarm Centre around 9 p.m.

Our National Alarm Centre, in turn, alerted a Member Care Associate, who was on his way to join the night shift. He immediately started searching for the medicine at pharmacies. Not many were open at that hour. After failing to find the drug at around 15 pharmacies for close to three hours, lady luck smiled. Without losing precious time, he sped to the member’s residence with the drug.

Dr Chakraborty was in a bad shape by then. The Member Care Associate waited after the member had the medicine. He kept our National Alarm Centre on alert lest the member’s condition worsened.

After around 20 minutes, the member got some relief from the pain. The family expressed gratitude to Support Elders.

Support Elders Impact: Tackling emergencies responsibly is our solemn duty.

Ms Dutta, a retired teacher, led a lonely existence after suffering a personal setback. Her health conditions too impeded her mobility.

Ms Dutta enrolled with Support Elders after coming across its Facebook page and calling up our National Alarm Centre. Soon after, she was invited to a members’ picnic in Dankuni. But she was worried about the commute. A care manager took charge. And Ms Dutta stepped out to socialise after years.

Eventually, she joined The Silver Circle (TSC), which helps improve the quality of life of elders through positive engagement and self-actualisation. It boosted her confidence.

At the TSC classes, Ms Dutta learnt booking app-based cabs for easy commute, which cut down her dependency on others. Participating in TSC Movie Club outings, theatre evenings, picnics and other events organised by the Member Engagement Team became routine affair for her.

During summers, Ms Dutta would offer chilled home-made lassi to the Member Care Associates visiting her weekly. She would chat with them and the National Alarm Centre staff giving her daily calls. When her spectacles broke, a Member Care Associate got her a new pair made with plastic lenses in a few hours. She was relieved and most thankful to Support Elders.

Support Elders Impact: Members’ all-round well-being is our topmost priority.