Four Ways Home Care Can Help Adults with Down Syndrome
Adults with Down syndrome can live healthy, full lives independently. Having some help from home care for Down syndrome can make all of that even more possible and easier for you and for your family member.
Needs Change Over Time
Your family member may have specific health considerations and needs due to Down syndrome. But as she grows older, those needs can change quickly. People with Down syndrome can experience issues with aging earlier than other people who are the same age. Osteoporosis, vision problems, and other concerns may arrive prematurely and home care providers can help your family member to deal with those.
Routines Are Important
Routines can help your family member to feel much more comfortable each day. Time can work a little differently for someone with Down syndrome, so having a solid routine that moves her from one activity through her day ensures that she’s able to accomplish her goals. Everybody has off days, but home care providers can help your family member to stay on target.
Getting to Social Activities Is Easier
Your family member probably doesn’t drive, but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have plenty of places that she wants to go on a regular basis. Social interaction is incredibly important and if you’re not able to drive her where she needs to go, then another form of transportation is necessary. Home care providers can take over the driving responsibilities for her, leaving your family member free to enjoy her time with other people.
You’ve Got Another Set of Eyes on the Scene
When you’re only able to spend a little bit of time with your family member, you might miss some crucial details that could help you to spot health issues or safety concerns. By having home care providers there with her more often, you’ve got an opportunity to help your family member with situations before they become a problem. Your family member may not be able to tell you what’s wrong, but observations by experienced home care providers can help you fill in the blanks.
Home care for Down syndrome gives your family member that extra edge that she needs to be able to confidently live her life on her own terms as much as possible. When she needs extra help or prompting, that assistance is right there for her. You’ll also feel better knowing that your family member has what she needs.
If you are considering Down syndrome resources in Greenwood, 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.
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