After a series of health scares, Mr Sunderaajan’s life became one of solitude. Having left work to care for his late parents, who both passed away from cancer, his once-busy home became lonely and quiet.
Over a year ago, his situation worsened when he fell from a lorry, resulting in a fractured spine, slipped disc, and dislocations in his knee and ankle. His morbid obesity further limited his ability to move and perform daily activities. “One time, I fell in the bathroom and couldn’t get up for about three hours,” he recalled.
Determined to regain his independence, he began his journey with St Luke’s Hospital (SLH) Home Care Services following a referral. Hopeful for improvement, he sought a wheelchair to help him move around at home and eventually enjoy some fresh air outside.
After assessing his needs, Senior Occupational Therapist Tiffany Tam recommended specialised equipment, including a customised wheelchair imported from Germany, bariatric rollator frame, queen-sized bed with adjustable bed functions, platform lifter, and stainless-steel shower bench.
His bathroom also received a full makeover to reconfigure the layout for safer toileting and showering. Recognising his financial constraints, Senior Medical Social Worker Cassandra Ang secured funding from community partners to support the interventions.
These changes transformed his life. “I never had a proper chair to sit in before. Recently, I managed to join my friends for a BBQ at East Coast Park with the wheelchair, and I’m excited to meet them more often,” he shared.
He also recounted how he used to go days without showering due to the difficulties he faced, but now, with the modifications in place, daily tasks are much easier and less stressful. The adjustable bed has significantly improved his sleep and well-being. He added, “I used to sleep only 1-2 hours because of the pain. Now, I can sleep 7-8 hours, and it’s easier to sit up and eat.”
With these changes, Mr Sunderaajan’s quality of life has drastically improved. He now receives SLH Home Medical and Home Nursing services to manage his chronic conditions, along with ongoing social support from case management services.
Grateful for the care he received, he said, “I feel less burdened, and I’m happy my life has changed for the better. I look forward to getting healthier and stronger.”
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