How Can You Develop Better Time Management as a Busy Parent to a Special Needs Child?
Time management can be one of the most important skills for a family caregiver to master. If you’re constantly feeling as if you’re running behind, it might be time to look for ways to improve your time management, even by a little bit.
Seek Out Organization Everywhere in Your Life
One of the biggest ways that you can improve your time management is to make sure that you’re as organized as you can possibly be. You may not realize how much time you spend looking for different items, but you’d be amazed how much time you regain when you are highly organized. Extend that organization everywhere, including using a planner to help you plan your day.
Skip the Multitasking
For a long time people have believed that multitasking, or doing more than one thing at a time, is a great way to save time. It turns out, though, that multitasking is actually doing the opposite. It divides your attention and keeps you spinning your wheels. Try focusing on one thing at a time as much as you can.
Say “No” When You Really Can’t Do Something
As a parent, you’re probably asked to do things all the time for school events and community happenings. But that doesn’t mean that you have to do everything you’re asked to do. Protect your time and learn to use a well-placed “no, thank you.”
Learn How to Delegate to Other People
If there are people who can help you with some of the many tasks that you have to manage as a family caregiver, definitely take advantage of that assistance. Pediatric care providers can take over for you when you have to be elsewhere. Figure out how to outsource other tasks to friends, family members, and other people in your life.
Make Sure You’re Getting What You Need
When you’re run down or otherwise not getting your own needs met, it’s difficult to meet the needs of other people in your life. Take the time to make sure you’re eating right, sleeping well, and otherwise doing what you need to do to keep yourself going. Periodically review your routine to see if there’s anything missing.
Even if you feel as if your time management skills are pretty well developed, there may be some room for improvement. Do what you can to try one new method to tighten your time management each week and see how that works for you.
If you are considering down syndrome resources in Beech Grove, 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