Keeping a Walking Regimen Safe for Your Aging Parent
Walking is often the easiest and most accessible form of physical activity for aging adults. Simply walking can be extremely beneficial in improving balance, strengthening joints and muscles, improving bone density, burning calories, improving cardiovascular health, maintaining good body weight, and more. As a family caregiver, however, it is extremely important for you to ensure any physical activity your parent takes on is safe for them. Keeping a walking regimen safe is not only important to avoid injuries, but also to encourage your parent to maintain their healthy lifestyle and enjoy the most benefit.
Home Care in Indianapolis IN: Senior Walking
Some ways you can keep a walking regimen safe for your aging parent includes:
-Be sure your senior wears proper clothing when walking. This includes footwear that is supportive, fits well, and is comfortable.
-Choose where your senior will walk for exercise carefully. Going around their neighborhood can often be the easiest, but choosing a different place regularly keeps the activity exciting and provides many opportunities for quality time to spend together. Before you go to one of these locations, however, check it to make sure it is safe. This includes the terrain, the atmosphere, and accessibility of resources such as restrooms, water, places to take a break, and emergency care.
-Plan out walks carefully so they are not too long or strenuous for your parent. It is important to remember that however far you walk from your starting point is how far your parent will have to walk to return, so you do not want to go until they are tired before turning back. Pay close attention to your parent and be prepared to cut the walk short if they are not feeling well.
-Ramp up the length of the walk or other challenges, such as different terrains, gradually. You want to keep challenging your senior so they can maximize the benefits of their healthy walking habit, but don’t want to stress or strain their body excessively.
-Make sure you have supplies with you during the walk that will keep them safe and healthy, including water, a first aid kit, any emergency medical supplies they need such as an inhaler, common identification, and a reliable mobile device.
Safety should be one of your top priorities as a family caregiver.
Elderly adults often face many struggles and challenges that can compromise safety, but having elderly care as a part of their daily life can help both of you feel more confident. The highly personalized services of an elderly home care services provider can enable your parent to age in place and enjoy the type of lifestyle that is right for them. The services can include physical support to manage mobility issues, assistance with managing home security such as checking locks and encouraging good choices of his not opening the door to strangers, help with wandering tendencies, and more.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Home Care 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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