Four Physical Challenges Adults with Cerebral Palsy Face
Much of life is challenging for an adult with cerebral palsy, but the physical challenges can be extremely difficult. When you have a better understanding of what those challenges entail, it’s easier to get your family member the assistance she needs.
Muscle Weakness
People with cerebral palsy can have muscle and skeletal deformities that leave their muscles unable to function in the best way possible. Difficulty moving properly can also create situations that worsen muscle weakness. All of that combines to make some movements and tasks that should be easy for her to handle way too difficult. When she’s tired, muscle weakness can be an even bigger issue.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Everyone is at risk of developing repetitive motion injuries, but people with cerebral palsy can be at a greater risk. This happens because their bodies don’t always move in the same ways that other peoples’ bodies move and this puts greater stress on muscles and joints. Assistive devices such walkers and wheelchairs can help with repetitive motion injuries related to walking. Other devices can help with other activities, too.
Premature Aging
Premature aging describes what happens when someone’s muscle tone, strength, and overall function decline sooner than they ordinarily would. Cerebral palsy places a huge strain on your family member’s body, which can very easily lead to premature aging. This happens at a different rate for every individual, but it’s a very real effect of dealing with the impact of CP.
Arthritis and Joint Problems
Degenerative issues, such as arthritis, are another common issue for people with CP. When you couple damaged and degenerating joints with repetitive motion injuries that can be a recipe for big problems with joints in the near future. Talk with your family member’s doctor to determine how soon arthritis can become a severe problem for her. if she’s only experiencing minor issues now, she may be able to extend the time between now and when she has much greater pain.
All of these issues impact your family member’s ability to walk, to handle daily tasks, and simply to exist as a person with cerebral palsy. Home care for adults with cerebral palsy can make life so much easier for her. They can help her to move more easily throughout her home and they can take over tasks that are too tiring or too difficult for her to do by herself. Your family member will be safer and she’ll feel more confident, too.
If you are considering care for people with disabilities in Carmel, IN, please call the caring staff at RSI Cares. Serving Greater Indianapolis Area. Call for Immediate Info & Assistance: 317-471-0750.
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 shewasthe 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.
Etelka was honored as a “Health Care Hero” by the Indianapolis Business Journal. The issue can be read online here:
http://mags.ibj.com/activemagazine/welcome/html/ibjhch.html.
After clicking on the link, then click on the image of the issue’s front page. After that, you can browse through the issue or click in a box near the top of your internet browser to adjust the page to 17, which is where Etelka’s article appears.
- NOTICE: Indiana Direct Service Workforce Investment Grant - January 30, 2023
- Take a Break and Let Respite Care Aides Help Out - November 10, 2021
- Let Residential Habilitation Services Bring Independence to Your Child With Down Syndrome - October 20, 2021