My dear K-Way readers,
Welcome to October.
My love to you and to all the elders at home.
Because a Life Lived Well Still Matters.
October 1 is observed as the International Day of Older Persons, often referred to as World Geriatric Day – a meaningful reminder that ageing is a universal journey deserving of dignity, respect, care, and joy.
In youth, old age feels like a distant country; one we believe we will never reach. We run, we build, we provide, we plan. We assume independence is permanent. We often say that old age is a second childhood. I wish it were so.
When a child is defiant, we smile. We know they will learn. We have time to teach them and they have a lifetime to grow into themselves. Our guidance is gentle, never curt.
With our elders, our patience wears thin.
Our elders have learned how to live, how to earn, how to endure, how to keep a family together. Then, one quiet morning, we ask them to surrender all of it: their morning walk because we fear a fall, their right to drive because we fear an accident, their right to decide because we fear a mistake. We call this care. They experience it as erasure. What we take away is not mere routine; it is dignity.
In paediatrics, love is abundant. A baby cries and ten hands reach out to hold them. A child is never alone.
In geriatrics, the room is often silent. Elders can be lonely in a full house. Their cry is seldom loud; it is a quiet withdrawal, a slow turning inward. And quiet is easy to overlook.
In paediatrics, delight comes easily. A child spills food and we laugh. They mispronounce a word and we applaud.
In geriatrics, our delight fades quickly. We say they are stubborn. We say they complain too much. But what we call stubbornness is often just a person clinging to the last fragment of autonomy they have left. What we call complaint is often a plea to be heard.
In paediatrics, changing a diaper is an act of love. It is celebrated, photographed, and honoured as a sacred rite of parenthood.
In geriatrics, the same act acquires a different meaning. It becomes a matter of stress, expense, and logistics; quiet calculations about caregivers, leave, and cost. An act that was once love can begin to feel like a burden. And nothing wounds elders more than the feeling of being a burden to the very children they raised.
When we are young, we are taught to respect our elders. When we grow old, we realize that what we truly yearned for was not respect, but relevance. Not to be managed, but to be included. Not to be tolerated, but to be touched. To still feel needed.
Paediatrics is hope. Geriatrics is memory.
We love children for what they will become. We must love the elderly for all that they have already become.
Geriatric care seems beautiful as long as the person remains independent: physically able, emotionally strong, financially secure. Then, we honour them. We call them inspiring.
Our humanity is truly tested when that independence fades: when they become dependent physically, vulnerable emotionally, and reliant financially.
At that moment, they do not need our medical knowledge alone. They need our tenderness.
A child needs you to teach them how to live.
An elder needs you to let them know that they have lived well, and that their life still matters.
I would love to know what you think about our monthly newsletter. Feel free to give your feedback via email [email protected].
Dr. Kavitha Sundaravadanam
Senior Family Physician,
Kauvery Hospitals, Alwarpet
Highlights @ Kauvery
Welcome to Optimistic October!
A Month of Positive Energy, Ownership & Excellence!
As we step into October, we carry forward the energy, enthusiasm, and togetherness that continue to shape the Kauvery culture. Every month brings new opportunities to learn, improve, appreciate, and strengthen our commitment to excellence. October gives us an opportunity to look ahead with optimism, take greater ownership, and continue creating meaningful experiences for our patients, colleagues, and teams.
Before moving ahead, let us take a moment to reflect on the memorable moments of September.
September was truly a month of learning, celebration, wellness, and togetherness across Kauvery. It was a month that brought our teams together through meaningful awareness initiatives as well as moments of fun, celebration, and connection.
A key highlight was our Patient Safety Day, celebrated across the region through a dedicated workshop and a series of engaging events and activities. Teams came together to learn, participate, and reinforce the importance of making patient safety a shared commitment. The celebrations provided an opportunity to reflect on how each of us can contribute to safer care through our everyday actions.
Our Housekeeping Day celebrations brought a wonderful burst of energy and enthusiasm. Games, dance, singing, and the much-awaited ramp walk created an atmosphere filled with laughter, participation, and team spirit. It was also a special opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the valuable contribution of our housekeeping teams.
The festive spirit continued with our Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations, where colleagues came together for the pooja and festivities. The celebration gave us an opportunity to embrace our traditions, connect with one another, and enjoy the spirit of togetherness that makes our Kauvery family special.
September also gave us an opportunity to focus on health and wellbeing through our Physiotherapy Day celebrations. Fun and engaging activities helped create awareness around exercise, movement, posture, and ergonomics, reminding us that taking care of ourselves is an important part of being able to care for others.
Alongside these celebrations, our continued focus on Patient Safety helped reinforce the importance of safe practices, clear communication, teamwork, and accountability in delivering patient-centered care.
Together, these moments made September a month filled with participation, appreciation, learning, celebration, and connection. They reflected the vibrant culture we continue to build at Kauvery, one where our people come together not only to work towards a common purpose, but also to celebrate, learn, support, and grow together.
As we turn the page to October, we carry this positive energy forward.
Optimistic October is an opportunity to focus on what we can do better, how we can make a difference, and how each of us can contribute to creating a better experience every day.
Optimism is not simply about looking at the bright side. It is about believing that we can improve, taking ownership of what is within our control, and approaching challenges with a solution-oriented mindset.
Let us use October to further strengthen our sense of ownership, teamwork, service excellence, and continuous improvement. At Kauvery, our greatest strength continues to be our people their knowledge, dedication, compassion, creativity, and willingness to come together as one team. When each of us takes ownership and contributes our best, we create an environment where excellence becomes a shared habit.
Here’s to an Optimistic October at Kauvery looking ahead with positivity, taking ownership, supporting one another, and striving for excellence every day!
A Morning Visit That Stayed With Me
Service Excellence
Dear readers, some mornings at the hospital begin with a long list of tasks, while others begin with a simple conversation that stays with you for the rest of the day.
That morning, during my regular rounds, I met a 31-year-old young woman. I introduced myself with a smile, and within a few moments, our conversation became warm and comfortable. What started as a routine morning interaction slowly turned into a story of courage, love and hope.
As we spoke, she shared her journey with me. At just 29, she was diagnosed with blood cancer. She was newly married and already a mother to a young baby boy. Soon after, during her second pregnancy, she had to face another difficult phase in her life.
Because of her medical condition and the treatment she needed, she had to go through the painful experience of losing her pregnancy. For anyone, losing a baby can be an incredibly difficult experience. But for her, this was only one part of a much bigger journey. She was also undergoing chemotherapy and facing the physical and emotional challenges that came with her treatment.
Yet, when I spoke to her, what touched me most was not the illness she was fighting, but the strength with which she was facing it. She had been through moments that could have broken her spirit, but she continued to move forward.
And beside her, through every step, was her husband. He was not just accompanying her to the hospital. He was her constant source of strength, reassurance and hope. His focus was simple he wanted to see his wife recover and return to a healthy and happy life. For him, every hospital visit, every treatment cycle and every difficult day was another step towards seeing her get better.
As I listened to them, I could see that healing was not happening through medicines alone. It was also happening through companionship, encouragement and the belief that better days were ahead.
Her courage made me pause and think about what we often mean when we talk about a patient’s healing journey.In a hospital, we see patients at different stages of their lives. We see their smiles, their worries, their questions and sometimes their silent struggles. But behind every patient is a story that we may not always know.
Her story reminded me that sometimes, the strongest patients are not the ones who never feel afraid or never have difficult days. They are the ones who continue to take the next step despite everything they have been through.
Housekeeping Week Celebration
Housekeeping Week was celebrated to recognize the dedication and hard work of our housekeeping team, who play a vital role in maintaining a safe, clean, and healing environment. Various activities and engagement sessions were organized to appreciate their contribution. Their commitment ensures infection control, patient comfort, and overall hospital excellence. The week served as a reminder that quality care begins with a clean and hygienic space. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our housekeeping heroes.
Pharmacist Day Celebration
On the occasion of Pharmacist Day, we celebrated the invaluable role pharmacists play in ensuring safe and effective patient care. Their expertise in medication management, patient counselling, and clinical support is essential to healthcare delivery. The celebration acknowledged their precision, dedication, and behind-the-scenes contributions. Activities were conducted to engage and appreciate the pharmacy team. We thank our pharmacists for being a crucial pillar in patient safety and care.
Physiotherapy Day Celebration
Physiotherapy Day was observed to highlight the importance of rehabilitation and mobility in patient recovery. Our physiotherapists were recognized for their commitment to restoring movement, reducing pain, and improving quality of life. Through personalized care and continuous support, they empower patients on their healing journey. The celebration included activities to appreciate their efforts and impact. We applaud our physiotherapy team for helping patients move towards better health every day.
World Rose Day Celebration
World Rose Day was observed to spread hope, strength, and positivity among cancer patients. Symbolizing love and encouragement, roses were shared with patients as a gesture of support and compassion. The day focused on uplifting spirits and reminding patients that they are not alone in their journey. Our team engaged with survivors through meaningful interactions, bringing smiles and comfort. This celebration reflects our commitment to care that goes beyond treatment, embracing empathy and emotional well-being.
World Heart Day Celebration – A Moment of Pause and Play
As part of our World Heart Day celebrations, staff and doctors came together for a meaningful yet engaging activity that encouraged them to pause and reflect. Centered around the thought, “What if your heart could speak to you?”, participants tuned in to the voice of their hearts—serving as a gentle reminder to care for the one organ that works tirelessly for us 24×7.
Adding a creative touch to the celebration, a dedicated “Creativity Wall” invited participants to express themselves by filling heart outlines with their unique ideas and designs. The activity not only sparked creativity but also reinforced the importance of heart health in a simple and memorable way.
Through these moments of pause, play, and reflection, the celebration beautifully highlighted the message of caring for our hearts, every day.
Wall of Healing
The Wall of Healing is an initiative by the Service Excellence Department to showcase artworks created by our patients during their hospital stay. As part of our Patient Engagement activities, patients are encouraged to explore their creativity through art and meaningful activities. These creative moments provide a refreshing break from the hospital environment and help patients engage their minds in something positive and enjoyable. The artworks are proudly displayed on the Wall of Healing, making their creativity a part of the hospital’s healing environment.
Every artwork is a reflection of creativity, positivity, and a beautiful moment in a patient’s journey.
Art as Healing Therapy
Patients expressed their creativity through colouring activities, bringing moments of joy and relaxation.
The session highlighted how art can support emotional well-being during the healing journey.
Welcoming Newborns
A special cake-cutting ceremony was organized to celebrate the arrival of a new-borns with the proud parents. The joyful occasion created memorable moments and marked the beginning of a beautiful new chapter.
Every Birthday Deserves a Special Moment
Birthdays were made extra special with a heartfelt celebration, reminding them that every milestone is worth celebrating, even on the journey to recovery.
