Background

Mdm Kam Yoke Ling is 82 years old and lives with her five other elderly siblings in a 4-room flat. Her eldest sister, who is 84 years old, is her main caretaker. Her youngest sibling, who is 78 years old, has chronic kidney disease and is permanently admitted to a hospital. Mdm Kam suffers from heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol. She had a stroke more than 20 years ago, resulting in the left side of her body being paralysed. She is also prone to falls and is dependent on a wheelchair.

The Fall

Towards the end of April 2019, Mdm Kam had a fall in the toilet which resulted in a fracture on her left arm. Due to her advanced age along with various illnesses, Mdm Kam’s legs gave way and she fell in the toilet at home. While there were grab bars in the toilet installed under the HDB EASE programme, Mdm Kam was unable to reach it when she had the fall. A review was conducted by her social worker from the Day Care that she attends, and they found that a retractable grab bar would be more suitable for her.

Help Needed – Give Hope

When we visited Mdm Kam at the day care centre, she was her usual bubbly self despite nursing a fracture on her left arm as a result of the fall. While the injury has not fully healed, Mdm Kam informs us that she no longer feels pain and is now able to re-attend day care.

Ray of Hope would like to raise S$300 for the purchase and the installation of the retractable grab bar which does not have the relevant subsidies. At Mdm Kam’s age and with her various illnesses, falls are inevitable. However, with a retractable grab bar, it could break her fall and prevent further injuries. Mdm Kam’s siblings are all elderly. Therefore, the retractable grab bars will not only help Mdm Kam, but also her other siblings!

*This is Mdm Kam’s third fundraiser. We have previously fundraised for her day care fees and we are still co-paying her day care fees with her siblings paying the other half.

* Mdm Kam and her siblings are receiving government financial assistance.