When I was going over the questions to get baptized in 1992, one elder told me that I needed to understand that the elders may not be available right away for assistance if I had a problem. After all, they do have families of their own.
I guess for some elders' families it really was a problem of the elders putting their families second to "the flock".
Now you don't need any call answering facilities if you are on top of things....Only when you are behind and can't cope! Sounds like some neglect on their part if you are having to fend of the sheep.