Dispelling the Myths About Donating Blood So Your Senior Can Get Involved
Donating blood is an incredible way to get involved in the community and make a difference in the lives of others.
Just one donation has the potential to save up to three lives, and though approximately 38% of the total population of the United States is eligible to give blood at any given time, less than 10% actually give blood on a regular basis. This leaves a tremendous deficit in times of crisis, and blood banks are always in need of more donations to be prepared for those who will need blood throughout the year.
For some people, myths associated with blood donation can make them wary of donating, or make them think that they are not able to donate. As a family caregiver, it is very important for you to help your parent understand issues such as blood donation myths so they can get full information and truly make the decision that is right for them.
Some of the myths surrounding blood donation and how you can dispel them include:
-Vegetarians and vegans cannot donate blood. There is a common misconception that people with restricted diets are automatically eliminated from the donation. This is not the case. People eating these diets can be very healthy and have everything they need to donate healthy blood, and to stay healthy themselves.
-Giving blood is very painful. Donating blood does require the prick of a needle, but it is a thin needle, likely far thinner than others that you and your parent have experienced before. There may be some soreness after, but it is not enough to dissuade most people.
-Seniors are too old to donate. This is a very common misconception and is, unfortunately, perpetuated by some companies that accept blood donations. The truth is, age is not really a factor when it comes to eligibility to donate. What really matters is the person’s health. If your senior is considered healthy in the other areas, then their age does not matter.
-Donating blood is unhealthy. In the vast majority of people, there is plenty of blood in the human body to withstand the amount taken in a donation. The body recovers very quickly after the blood is taken, regaining all its red blood cells within about a day or two, and all its white blood cells within three days.
-You can get sick from donating. Clean, new needles are used for each person when they are donating blood. This means your senior will not contract an illness or infection from the needle, or from any other person’s blood during the donation. Of course, any time there is a puncture in the skin, there is a risk for infection, but it is as simple as easy care of the site to diminish this risk
Simply because you have made the decision to be a family caregiver for your elderly loved one does not mean you have to do it all on your own.
Reaching out for help is a way to make sure that your parent has access to the best care possible, and that you still have the time, flexibility it, and energy to manage your own life as well. Home care is a fantastic source of this help, giving your aging parent a customized approach to care and support designed not just with their needs in mind. Instead of only focusing on health issues, mobility problems, cognitive functioning, or other such issues, this type of care takes a whole person approach. This enables your parent to maintain more independence, experience better mental and emotional health, and enjoy a more fulfilling and meaningful lifestyle.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Homecare in Zionsville, IN, please call the caring staff at Home Services Unlimited. Serving Greater Indianapolis Area. Call for Immediate Info & Assistance: (317) 471-0760
http://www.bloodconnect.org/
https://www.redcrossblood.org/
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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