by Hua Mei Centre for Successful Ageing
72 years old Mr N was admitted to the Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA) programme in September 2014. A former lorry driver till 2007, the elderly man suffers from a few chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, and hearing impairment in both ears. Under the ComCare financial assistance scheme, he receives a stipend of $350 every month while Medifund covers his medical expenses.
A single man without much family support apart from a nephew who visits him fortnightly, Mr N relies very much on his own devices. Living in a 2-room-rental flat, he tries to maintain his independence and goes out daily. He visits the market to buy food and groceries despite having sustained a fracture in his left ankle in December 2014 during a traffic accident. Even today, he still feel the pain in his left leg and ankle as a result of the accident.
Under the watchful guidance of ComSA’s care managers, Mr N is now more adept at taking his daily medication, having been confused previously over the different functions of the various pills. With better nutritional understanding, his dietary choices have improved and his various chronic illnesses are better managed.
Concurrently, the care managers referred Mr N to Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) for financial assistance. They also arranged for volunteers to help clean up his home, eradicate the bed bugs that once infested his living space and replace old furniture with new donated items.
With the appropriate intervention, Mr N’s blood pressure and sugar levels are now within normal range. The pain in his leg has reduced due to orthopedic footwear designed by a podiatrist. As a result of the various interventions, his independence is better supported by his improved conditions.
Key Learning Points:
- Proper training and counseling by care managers help clients better manage their chronic conditions.
- Referrals to other welfare providers lead to additional intervention measures which further help improve the client’s quality of life.
- Improved living conditions helps support independent living.