To chance upon someone straining to make a difference is such a special moment that it must be shared. In Hyderabad, a good samaritan is running a programme to train bedside assistants at the Heritage Hospital, the only one of its kind in the country.The objective of the programme is to impart skills to men and women so that when they go out to homes to care for the elderly, they know what they are doing. There are no fancy theory lessons, no lectures on psychology and behaviour. But they learn to do basic checks, monitor IVs, administer medication, check blood sugar levels, attend to personal care and feeding and also assist in physiotherapy for the patient, especially the elderly.The BSA is basically a non-medical personnel and the demand for such a person is on the rise with the growing number of elderly parents and relatives who are being looked after at home. It was a pleasure meeting a bunch of caregivers recently.Serious Sajida (21) who has been working as a caregiver for the last six years looks after her entire family of parents and five siblings. Her father died a fortnight ago and she is worried because his pension has still not come. Between her and her second brother, an air conditioner mechanic, they bring home Rs 7000. Two sisters and a brother are going to school. She is happy that she has this job and she does not think that it is demeaning or “low”.Asad (20) is a very earnest looking young man who came to Hyderabad seeking employment. His uncle asked him to go and get the free training the hospital was giving. He has now been working for the last three years. He has passed his class ten examinations. Two sisters go to college and a younger brother has similar plans. Another brother brings home Rs 3500 while Asad also takes home the same amount. Between them they look after the household.Vandana (22) appeared to be better off than the others. She has been working as a BSA for four years. Earlier she used to support her own parents, now she supports her husband of two years and his ailing parents. She is obviously good at her work as she has been taking care of an elderly German lady in Hyderabad for the last three years, without a break. Her patient is 99 years old but Vandana obviously likes her work and says that it is “wonderful”.The now confident boys and girls were once considered burdens by their families. Today they walk tall because they have a steady income coming to them from their own hard work.
