Senior Care: What Are the Strengths Family Caregivers Need?
Senior Care: Your parents can no longer manage daily routines without a helping hand.
You’re switching to part-time hours so that you can help out. It’s a new role for you, but it’s an important one. What strengths help family caregivers succeed in their role? Senior care providers can be a huge help to you.
Senior Care in Avon IN: Family Caregivers
Organization
You need to be organized. Your parents need you to help them with meal planning, shopping, medication reminders, and more. Keep a list of the things that need to get done every day. Some chores need to be done weekly and monthly. Jot those down on separate lists.
With an organized list, it becomes easier to keep track of what needs to get done. If you can’t fit everything in, it’s a good sign that additional help is required. Ask your siblings to chip in.
Patience
Your parents may not always appreciate your help. It’s hard to admit you’re not as capable as you used to be, and that can lead to frustration. When they’re frustrated, you may become the target and deal with a bit of verbal abuse. Don’t take it personally. Be patient with them.
As you show that they can’t fluster you, the mood will change. They’ll grow to appreciate your help and make it known how much your parents depend on you.
Physical Strength
You’re going to need some physical strength, especially if your parents need help with ambulation. Lifting your mom or dad in and out of bed, up from a chair or sofa, and in and out of a shower is hard on your back and shoulders.
Some devices can make this easier. If you’re doing a lot of lifting, look into a transfer belt with sturdy handles to help you lift your parents.
Unconditional Love
You love your parents, but your role as a family caregiver may challenge you. No matter how sad they seem to be as they rely on your help, make sure you show them constantly how much you love them. They need reassurance, especially on the more challenging days.
Senior Care: The Ability to Say No
You do have to set limits. Be sure that you’re telling people no if they ask for favors you don’t have the time or patience to manage. Your brother wants you to pick up his children from school. You need to explain that it’s too much.
Senior home care helps your parents, but did you realize it also helps you? As a family caregiver, you probably don’t spend much time caring for yourself. With senior home care aides helping your parents, you’re free to visit friends, go shopping, or stay at home and have a lazy day.
Call a senior care agency and ask about respite care services. You need to take care of yourself, too. Let a senior care aide give you the break you need and deserve.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Senior Care in Avon, IN, please call the caring staff at Home Services Unlimited. Serving Greater Indianapolis Area. Call for Immediate Info & Assistance: (317) 471-0760
As a practicing Registered Nurse, Etelka was keenly aware of a void in quality patient care that could be provided in the home. She embarked upon a journey to develop a home health care agency that would exceed all expectations and become a trusted partner to physicians and patients.
A Distinguished Career From Nurse to Director of Nursing to President of Home Services Unlimited
Etelka’s distinguished career followed a logical progression to her position as President of Home Services Unlimited. She graduated as a nurse practitioner with a Bachelor of Nursing (RN) in 1972 from Meshgorya University in the Ukraine, close to where she lived with her family. She married her husband Phil in 1973 and decided in 1977 that they would relocate to the United States to be closer to family and to come to this land of opportunity. With an eagerness to continue her budding career, Etelka sat for and passed her Boards in the U.S. in 1979.
A Love and Talent for Working with the Elderly
Etelka began her nursing career in the U.S. at Colonial Crest, now part of Golden Living, where she was the In-service Coordinator, the Director of Training and Education and Director of Nursing, a position she occupied for several years.
With a group of partners, she co-founded Adept Corporation, which operated group homes for the mentally challenged. The business was successful and in 1996, Etelka sold her share to return to her roots, caring for the elderly.
In January of 1997, Etelka opened Home Services Unlimited as a fully licensed business to provide home health care. In her quest to learn to do better for her patients, she had already obtained a Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) in May of 1990 from the College of St. Francis. As President of Home Services Unlimited, Inc., Etelka guides the trusted, experienced care model Home Services Unlimited uses to continue providing excellent home health care.
Giving Back to the Community of Indianapolis
Volunteering for community services is a high priority for Etelka. Her memberships include the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Executive Women in Health Care and the Indiana Association for Home and Hospice Care, where she is a member of the Board of Directors.
Etelka has also served on the Board of Directors with Hooverwood Home, a highly regarded geriatric facility, since 1997 and as the President for 2005-2006. Through her community work, she has received several awards and accolades, including the Nora McFarland award in 2002, from the Indiana Association of Home and Hospice Care.
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