6 Major Safety Risks in Your Senior’s Home
If there’s one thing that you need to do for your senior as she ages, it’s to make sure that she is as safe as she can possibly be. That’s even more true when her goal is to remain in her own home for as long as she can. Aging in place involves prioritizing solutions such as hiring home care services, that enable your elderly family member to feel and to be safe, no matter what is going on with her health and her life.
Home Care Services in Avon IN: Home Safety Risks
Kitchens
Kitchens are a space that can quickly become dangerous for your elderly family member, even if your senior is an expert in that room. There are appliances that can become a safety risk, like the stove, and spills can be a huge issue. Staying on top of safety in the kitchen might mean bringing in 24-hour home care providers at some point, especially if your elderly family member is experiencing cognitive changes.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are a dangerous room for anyone, but they can be especially treacherous for your senior. If she’s worried, that might cause her to become even more unsafe. Grab bars, special non-slip mats, and removing everything that isn’t absolutely necessary could be the way to go. Also, getting help from senior care providers with personal care tasks is a good idea.
Stairs
Stairs require special attention. Check the treads and make sure that they’re not too slippery. If they’re especially narrow stair treads, you might want to investigate other options for keeping your senior safe and yet mobile in her home, like using a stairlift. Make sure that handrails are firmly attached to the wall and encourage your senior to use them.
Floors
What types of flooring does your senior have? If she’s dealing with hard floors, pay close attention to things like throw rugs or area rugs. These can easily become slippery, moving underneath your senior when she least expects them to do so. Removing these and encouraging your elderly family member to wear shoes with a non-slip sole can help immensely.
Clutter
Most people don’t realize how dangerous clutter can become. Clutter on counters, tables, and bookcases can keep your senior from finding items when she needs them. It can also keep her from being able to effectively use those spaces. Clutter on the floor is even more dangerous because that quickly becomes a tripping hazard.
Being Alone
Spending too much time alone can also be a safety issue. Seniors who isolate are more likely to experience serious health problems, and if your elderly family member already has chronic health concerns that can be devastating for her overall well-being. 24-hour home care providers can be a perfect way to ensure that your senior is getting the help that she needs as well as the companionship that she requires.
Home Care Services Conclusion
Keeping your senior safe means looking at all of the various ways that her safety can be at risk. It helps if you’ve got some assistance in your corner as you make your assessments because it’s easy to feel as if you’re missing something.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Home Care Services 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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