Does Your Senior Need a Cane or a Walker?
Maintaining balance and stability with an injury or a chronic condition like arthritis is much easier to do if your senior is using an assistive device. But is a walker or a cane right for her particular situation?
Caregiver in Indianapolis IN: Senior Walking Assistance
She’s Experiencing Pain
Pain is a big reason for your senior to need the help of either a walker or a cane, but there are some distinctions. If your elderly family member is experiencing pain on one side of her body, say she’s dealing with arthritis in one hip, then a cane may work for her. If she’s got arthritis in both hips, though, she might get more support from a walker.
She Needs Help Supporting Her Weight
Canes can help to support a smaller percentage of someone’s weight than a walker can. This is because the walker is a larger and more solid assistive tool than a cane is. Canes with quad feet are going to be a little more supportive than a single-tipped cane.
She’s Injured on One Side Only
If your elderly family member is using an assistive device only temporarily, it’s likely due to an injury. If she’s injured on one side only, then a cane may do the job just fine. Injuries on both sides or to multiple parts of her body may require a walker for additional support.
She’s Got Very Bad Balance
Some people with very bad balance find that they feel more secure with a walker, though, even for smaller injuries. This is because the walker surrounds her a bit and allows her to lean a bit on it rather than only taking part of her weight as a cane does. If your senior’s balance is very good, though, she may be able to use a cane even with a serious injury.
Her Doctor Can Help
Talk to your senior’s doctor about which assistive device is right for her situation. There may be other variables that are unique to your elderly family member’s injury or illness that require her to use a specific tool. Whether this is permanent or a temporary tool, it helps to have her doctor’s perspective.
Getting used to using either a walker or a cane requires practice. Senior care providers can help your elderly family member to feel more comfortable using both of these devices. They can also show you tips that you need to know that can help to make your senior’s life easier with either assistive tool.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Indianapolis, 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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