What Can Make It Easier to Care for a Senior with Dementia?
Home Care in Carmel
Knowing that your elderly family member is battling dementia is not easy. But if your plan is to take care of her as long as possible, you need a plan to make that caregiving journey as smooth as possible. These tips can help you make that plan and adjust it as you need to. Because flexible plans will give your senior the best chance to make the most of what’s going on.
Get as Organized as You Can
When someone you love has dementia, you need to be as organized as possible. That means organizing paperwork and your senior’s home, along with everything in between. You need to be extra organized, because that’s going to reduce the time and energy you spend looking for things. It’s amazing how draining that can be, so remove that obstacle.
Lean on Home Care Providers Sooner Rather than Later
Bringing in home care providers now, in the earlier stages of dementia care, can make life easier for you and your senior. It also helps your elderly family member get used to receiving help from home care providers, which can be especially useful later on. Having help now will help prevent burnout that could take you out of the caregiving game far too early.
Talk to Your Senior’s Doctor about Tips
Every dementia patient’s situation is slightly different, and that’s definitely the case for your elderly family member. Talk with her doctor about what to expect and what will help her in her unique situation. The more you can map out now, the better.
Consider Joining a Support Group
A support group for other caregivers of seniors with dementia may help you much more than you expect. There are many options these days, from in-person groups to virtual meetings. Find the ones that work the best for your life and your needs, but make sure you’re getting the support that you need.
Try to Anticipate Changes Your Senior May Experience
Part of being a caregiver to someone with dementia involves anticipating her needs. Your senior may function well now, but that’s not going to be the case forever. The more tools and supports you put in place now for you and your senior, the better off both of you will be down the line. This is also where talking with your senior’s doctor and having access to both support groups and home care providers can be helpful. You’re able to pull from a wealth of experiences to ensure your senior has her needs covered for as long as possible.
Dementia means your elderly family member’s life will be different than you expected. But that doesn’t mean your senior’s quality of life must be sacrificed. Or that caregiving has to be draining for you. There are many ways to ensure that everyone can face what’s coming.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Carmel, IN, please call the caring staff at Home Services Unlimited. Serving the 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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