Lombardy East man receives urgent help after sister raises alarm
“Once Hyran was stable, his amazing neighbour, Robbie, stepped up and kept a watchful eye on him until I arrived,”
Staff at Thembalami Care Centre leaped into action after a frantic phone call from a Western Cape resident who could not contact her 70-year-old brother.
Sharon Hindle called the care centre in August after repeatedly failing to reach her brother, Hyran Cook, who lives in Lombardy East.
Knowing Thembalami was situated near his home, she hoped staff might be able to help.
When Hindle called the care centre, she was put through to Sister Kholofelo Mathye.
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After Hindle explained that her brother had recently undergone hip surgery and lived alone, Mathye immediately asked Thembalami’s security team to investigate.
Cook’s neighbour, Robbie Carver, assisted when contacted by security and summoned an ambulance when Cook was found unresponsive in his home.
According to Hindle, paramedics said Cook was in a diabetic coma and stabilised him at the scene.
“Kholofelo needs to be acknowledged for her active listening,” said Hindle.
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“Had she not listened carefully to what I was saying and understood the urgency of the situation, I don’t know what would have happened.
“Once Hyran was stable, his amazing neighbour, Robbie, stepped up and kept a watchful eye on him until I arrived.”
She flew to Johannesburg and arranged for Cook to be admitted to Thembalami’s recuperative care unit.
Ten days later, Cook was well enough to return home after regaining his strength.
“The TLC he received was amazing,” said Hindle. “He has been given a new lease on life.”
During his stay, he received physiotherapy to assist with his mobility and, according to Thembalami social worker Lara Swanepoel, made excellent progress.
“When he went home, he was able to walk with the assistance of a walker,” said Swanepoel.
“His medication was reviewed, his health was stabilised and he was provided with healthy, nutritious meals to help rebuild his strength.
“He told us that he feels significantly better after his stay at Thembalami.”
“This story is a wonderful example of how a simple phone call, a caring response and effective teamwork can make an enormous difference,” she said.
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“Kholofelo did not hesitate to help a distressed family member, even though Cook was not a resident of Thembalami.
“Through the quick actions of the nursing and security teams, a potentially tragic situation was identified and emergency assistance was provided in time.”
Hindle said Thembalami’s nursing services manager, Violet Ngobeni, its deputy manager, Elize Raath, Swanepoel and Mathye were amazing.
“My sincere thanks for being so kind and accommodating when I arrived at your door in a panic,” said Hindle. “It seems that 10 days of care have made the world of difference to Hyran, physically and mentally.”
