Always Do These Four Things to Prevent Infections
What is International Infection Protection Week all about?
It started in 1986 and always falls during the third week of October. It’s an international day designed to focus on the things people need to do to avoid infectious diseases and health issues.
Caregiver in Noblesville IN: Four Things to Prevent Infections
How do you prevent infections from happening? These four steps are important at any age.
Spend Time Outdoor
In the winter, many people stay inside where it’s warm. Germs build up in an air-tight home. Opening a window to allow some fresh air inside helps. Going outside for walks is even better. Your parents get exercise and breathe in the fresh air at the same time.
Read Food Recalls and Alerts
One infection that’s harder to avoid is food poisoning. Check often for recalls and alerts that may affect the foods your parents eat. Leafy greens are important for the diet, but items like spinach and lettuce are occasionally linked to E-Coli and listeria contamination.
Wash Hands Correctly
Washing hands often is important. Your parents need to make sure that they’re doing it correctly. Suds up the hands for a full 20 seconds. Your parents need to soap up between the fingers, under the nails, and on the front and back of the hands up to the wrist.
After rinsing their hands, it’s best to air dry the hands. If that’s not appealing, a clean towel is ideal. You don’t want to use a towel that’s covered in bacteria when drying the hands.
Choose Foods With Key Nutrients
Your parents want their bodies to be ready to fight off infections. While an older adults’ immune response might not be as quick as a younger adult’s, there are ways to help. The best is to make sure the diet is high in antioxidants.
Make sure your parents eat plenty of foods high in antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables are a good place to start. Seeds like chia seeds also contain antioxidants as well as omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.
Even with the best habits, there’s always a chance that you’ll develop an infection like food poisoning, the seasonal flu, or an infected cut or scratch. If you are dealing with an infectious disease or health issue, it’s important to take time to heal properly.
When you’re the primary carer for your mom or dad, taking time off may not seem possible. Make sure there’s always a way to have time to recover. The best way to do this is by looking into respite care services from a home care agency. Home care aides can come to your parents’ home and help them with daily activities while you heal.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering a Caregiver in Noblesville, 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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