Five Warning Signs that Your Senior Might Have Some Issues
Keeping on top of what’s going on with your elderly family member behind the scenes can be more difficult than you expect as a caregiver. Watching for some of these signs can make the task a little easier, though.
Home Health Care in Carmel IN: Senior Issues
No Appetite, Lots of Missed Meals, or Significant Weight Loss
If your elderly family member is suddenly not eating or seems to be missing meals more often, that could be a sign of trouble. You might be more likely to notice that she’s lost a good bit of weight, though. Talk to her about whether cooking and eating are difficult for her in any way and see what solutions might help.
Odd Behaviors
Is your senior suddenly watching more television than she used to? Or maybe she’s starting to call you in the middle of the night. Perhaps she’s showering less frequently than she was. All of these are behaviors that don’t fit her normal activities and might indicate that something has changed.
Changes in Patterns
When you are already familiar with your senior’s behavior patterns, you’re going to notice changes to those patterns pretty quickly. For instance, she might be less talkative than usual or she’s just not up for weekly phone calls like she used to be. Or friends and acquaintances might start to mention changes in her behavior patterns when you cross paths.
Withdrawal from Activities She Enjoys
Reducing her participation in activities that she enjoys is also a big sign that something is going on with your aging family member. She may no longer have the energy to do the activities that she enjoys or she may be nervous or upset about something. You might have to dig a bit to find out what’s behind the change in her activities.
Unusual or Duplicate Purchases
Whether she’s experiencing trouble with her memory or shopping is giving her an adrenaline rush that she enjoys, your senior might start to make some unusual or even duplicate purchases. This can happen if she’s starting to build collections of items or even hoarding. Talk to your senior about the reasons behind some of her purchases to get a feel for what’s happening.
One of the solutions you might want to consider is hiring senior care providers. They can help to ensure that your aging family member has the help and the support that she needs. They can also make sure that you’ve got the support and assistance that you need in order to keep up with caregiving duties.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Home Health Care in Carmel, 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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