Abhimala Kamath* (82) shared a 10 feet by 10 feet shack in Matunga Labour Camp with her son, daughter and granddaughter. The four lived on a combined monthly income of Rs. 2,000. The granddaughter earned Rs. 1,500 per month working as a domestic help, and was the only consistent source of income to the family. Her daughter earned daily wages whenever she could work. Her son was an alcoholic and a casual labourer at construction sites. Abhimala had tuberculosis.
Things were bad when her case was identified: their shack had one bed without proper mattress, bed linen or blanket. Chronic illness had emaciated Abhimala. Old age and constant pain meant that she shifted restlessly in bed, talked to herself hours on end, forbid her daughter to go out and constantly complained helplessly. The family knew they couldn’t afford getting her treated. Having an alcoholic in the house didn’t help.
Intervening after her community brought this case to notice, home based care was decided as her best bet. Thanks to Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General (LTMG) Hospital (aka Sion Hospital), a resident doctor from the department of preventive and social medicine (PSM) visited her and guided her family in matters of basic health care, home remedies and hygiene. One volunteer came forward to take care of Abhimala thereby relieving her daughter to go out and work. This volunteer soon developed a good rapport with the old lady. Abhimala was given nutritional supplements of proteins and vitamins twice daily, along with extended nutrition support in terms of two good meals a day. Whenever Abhimala grew cranky or refused food/medicines, the volunteer would talk her into it. Considering his love and concern for her health, she would yield.
That said, her health still deteriorated. Her family was instructed in proper respite care and medical assistance to ensure that she was as comfortable as possible. Soon it was decided that she needed palliative care. She was shifted to the Urban Health Centre of Sion Hospital where the resident doctor from PSM department who had provided her home based care attended to her. Her family was supported financially and emotionally to deal with her impending death. She lived eight days after admission. Her family was helped in moving her body to her residence.
Thus, an old ailing woman who lived in a slum got medical attention and support in the last days of her life. She didn’t die hungry and her pain was more manageable at the time of her death. Her family survived the medical and emotional costs thanks to the medical team from Sion Hospital and the volunteer who went out of his way to make life easier for someone he barely knew.
*Actual name withheld for privacy.
Things were bad when her case was identified: their shack had one bed without proper mattress, bed linen or blanket. Chronic illness had emaciated Abhimala. Old age and constant pain meant that she shifted restlessly in bed, talked to herself hours on end, forbid her daughter to go out and constantly complained helplessly. The family knew they couldn’t afford getting her treated. Having an alcoholic in the house didn’t help.
Intervening after her community brought this case to notice, home based care was decided as her best bet. Thanks to Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General (LTMG) Hospital (aka Sion Hospital), a resident doctor from the department of preventive and social medicine (PSM) visited her and guided her family in matters of basic health care, home remedies and hygiene. One volunteer came forward to take care of Abhimala thereby relieving her daughter to go out and work. This volunteer soon developed a good rapport with the old lady. Abhimala was given nutritional supplements of proteins and vitamins twice daily, along with extended nutrition support in terms of two good meals a day. Whenever Abhimala grew cranky or refused food/medicines, the volunteer would talk her into it. Considering his love and concern for her health, she would yield.
That said, her health still deteriorated. Her family was instructed in proper respite care and medical assistance to ensure that she was as comfortable as possible. Soon it was decided that she needed palliative care. She was shifted to the Urban Health Centre of Sion Hospital where the resident doctor from PSM department who had provided her home based care attended to her. Her family was supported financially and emotionally to deal with her impending death. She lived eight days after admission. Her family was helped in moving her body to her residence.
Thus, an old ailing woman who lived in a slum got medical attention and support in the last days of her life. She didn’t die hungry and her pain was more manageable at the time of her death. Her family survived the medical and emotional costs thanks to the medical team from Sion Hospital and the volunteer who went out of his way to make life easier for someone he barely knew.
*Actual name withheld for privacy.
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