Why Reading Is a Great Hobby for Your Senior Loved One
Companion Care at Home in Noblesville
As your seniors grow older, they may start feeling like they have less to do. This is when it’s important to ensure they have hobbies they can maintain as they get older. They may also need extra help from companion care at home to do certain hobbies, or maybe they can find things to do together. Reading is one of the most underrated hobbies a senior can do. They can use Kindle, audiobooks, large print books, and the library to find the right books. If they don’t have access to any of these or for some reason can’t enjoy reading, they can ask a caregiver at home to read aloud for them. This may be one of the best solutions for seniors who used to be avid readers.
Reading Helps With Reasoning
Reading is one of the best ways to improve and expand critical thinking skills. It allows a senior to read about an issue or challenge and think of ways to overcome it. Reading allows them to gain insight into new issues and read about new places or people. It allows them to focus on reasoning and clues from the text, rather than emotion. This can help their lives outside of reading. When a senior can think critically, it allows them to make rational decisions about their own lives, which can help keep them more independent, even with the help of companion care at home.
Reading and Stress Reduction
If you notice your senior getting stressed, it will be crucial to find ways to de-stress. For some seniors, that may be taking a walk in the park, taking a bubble bath, or taking a half hour to read every day. Another important concern that many older people encounter is chronic stress. Anxiety inhibits the immune system and raises the risk of cardiovascular disease if left unchecked. Getting immersed in a good book is a terrific method to improve happiness and reduce stress. To get the most benefits from reading, elders should strive to read for at least 30 minutes every day. They must also avoid distractions, such as television programs and loud music.
Reading Boosts Memory
Some memory loss is normal for aging loved ones, but there is a certain amount that can be problematic. They may not remember names like they used to, but when they start forgetting where they live or who their children are, it can be a huge problem. One of the best ways to boost memory in a senior is by encouraging them to read more. Multiple regions of the brain are activated simultaneously when reading, which is beneficial for both short-term and long-term memory. Seniors might also consider taking up textbooks, thought-provoking publications, and industry journals in addition to novels.
It’s Fun!
When your senior can no longer go on crazy adventures, this is a way to ensure their minds still stay active. They can read books about the other side of the world, different cultures, and learn new things. It allows them to feel empathy for people in books and compassion for whatever they are reading. All of this can be crucial for a senior to feel happier with their lives.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home in Noblesville, IN, please call the caring staff at Home Services Unlimited. Serving the 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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