ST. Michaels Care Services Launches Home Care Service for Elderly

Osho Oluwatosin

A medical organisation, St. Michaels Care Services, launched a home care service on Thursday to cater for the elderly in Nigeria and other parts of the African continent.

The launch event which was held in Lagos had several important personalities including the grand patron of the organization, High Chief Michael Olufalomo, the spokesperson for the ex-president, Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina who was the chairman of the occasion, SSG to Edo state governor, Osarodion Ogie represented by Chief Ogie Ogedengbe, Member of Lagos assembly, Hon. Gbolahan Ogunleye, Lagos Commissioner for Youth, Mobolaji Abubakre, to mention but a few.

According to the chairman of St. Michaels Care Services, Dr. Osaren Emokpae, the motivation to set up a service that caters for the elderly was drawn from the avoidable death of his father who passed on 12 years ago because he couldn’t get the required assistance.

He narrated that his beloved father fell on his way to the bathroom and struggled for his life for about 35 minutes before he passed but he may have been resuscitated if he had professional assistance when he fell.

“12th of July is a day I will always remember, this year marks 15 years of my father’s death. I didn’t just love my father, I adored him. It was a few weeks to his 90th birthday and he fell on his way to the toilet hitting his head on the concrete floor.

“He struggled for help for about 35 minutes and he passed away. There is a missing link in enabling our elderly to enjoy their old age, my father needed medical care and home care but this made him have an undignified death. I feel we failed our father, we had a doctor we were paying every month, he had grandchildren around him and we thought they would be able to take care of him.”

He explained that elderly ones are often alone because their immediate family members leave them in search of greener pastures and when they need to be catered for, they end up not having anyone with them but ST. Michael’s care services will create a solution to such problems.

“Increasingly, as we all are getting older, we also recognize that it would be in our self-interest to find something like this because we couldn’t find the kind of healthcare we are used to outside this country.

“My wife is in the US and I don’t want to be carried somewhere in my old age so I am going to be a customer too. While you agree there was a motivation from my father, I want to make sure that before I grow old, I have something at that level to take care of me.

“I also told them that I will need four because I am alone in the house. Sometimes all you need is companionship but you are just alone. We are not created as humans to live by ourselves and when your woman isn’t there, a caregiver is there for you to keep you company, and check your health if you are not well, we quickly connect to your home medical personnel to take care of you.”

While speaking on the various services provided by ST. Michael Care Services, the Managing Director, Dr. Folakemi Ogunleye listed personal care assistants (bathing, dressing, grooming); companionship; mobility assistance; assisted daily living; cognitive and social engagement and medication management.

“We will give a holistic approach and make sure none is left behind, especially the health of our client. This would also involve collaborations and partnerships with organizations, and special centres like ICUs, stroke centres, etc.

“We have identified the best caregivers that we will assign to our clients. Also, our caregivers are not house helpers or doctors; they will act as intermediaries between doctors and patients. Our range of services includes home care, specialized care, wellness programmes, additional services, respite care, etc.”

Also speaking, Chief Michael Olufalomo made it known that he didn’t see the need for a home care service until a few days ago when he suddenly fell ill after he returned from a trip. He explained that he stays alone but if he had registered with ST. Michaels Care services, it would have been easier for him to get help.

“ST Michael is completely different from what I have seen before. Looking after the elderly is a very specialized thing. I didn’t realize how important this was until the day before yesterday. I had never fallen ill before, I travelled and came back home feeling fine.

“I watched the TV when I got home, I went upstairs and incidentally, I live alone because I lost my wife 31 years ago. As soon as I got upstairs, something happened and for the next two hours, I didn’t know where I was. If I had registered with this organization, I would have known who to call.

“I took it very easy, laid down on the bed, put my mind off everything and after about a couple of hours, I was better but anything could have happened and I wish that one week ago I had registered with ST Micheals. I appreciate what is being done here today because I have been involved in the care of the elderly.”