Compassionate Care in the Home Environment: New Family-Run Acti-Kare Branch Helps West LA Seniors Maintain Independence

LOS ANGELES, July 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Accepting that help is needed with daily tasks and activities is a difficult step for many seniors, and providing all of that help can be a stressful burden for loved ones, despite their best intentions and efforts. Sometimes, no matter how dedicated the family, extra assistance is required. The search for just the right support for her own mother is what led nursing professional Carol Zetina on a path that ended with her family's decision to own and operate their own Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home Care franchise, and a new goal of providing assistance that helps seniors remain comfortably in their own home surroundings for as long as possible.

"I am a huge advocate of seniors being able to maintain their independence," Ms. Zetina states. "This promotes a sense of dignity and well-being. It was important to my siblings and me that our mom got the right support to maintain her independence in her own familiar environment - we knew she would not have it any other way. We learned that there is a need for this kind of service." This research culminated in the Zetina family's decision to put their vast health care experience - a combined total of over 50 years - to new use, with the opening of an Acti-Kare location in West LA.

A well-respected company with branches nationwide, Acti-Kare's services are designed with client individuality in mind. These services support seniors' own activity levels and independence, while maintaining their dignity. Highly trained and compassionate Acti-Kare caregivers can provide companionship, enhance socialization, and provide transportation and mobility assistance. They can also help with errands, bill-paying, shopping, meal preparations, light housekeeping duties, personal care assistance, and more. Caregivers have prior experience and/or training in caring for those with Alzheimer's or other special needs. Clients can easily obtain as many hours of support as desired or needed - even if those needs changes as time goes by.

Ms. Zetina adds, "It is our goal to meet the needs of our community." Her training in nursing - from her beginning as a Los Angeles County Hospital candy striper volunteer, to her time as a Home Health Aide, and, finally, an RN - is a perfect match for her new career direction, and she is excited about sharing this broad range of experience with the local senior population.

"In my time as a CNA, I worked with the senior population in a Long Term Care facility, and as a nursing student I worked as a Home Health Aide, giving me first-hand knowledge of the benefits to be gained when a person is able to remain in their own familiar environment," says Ms. Zetina. "In addition, as an RN I have gained experience as an Outpatient Surgery Nurse; Director of an Outpatient Medical Clinic; RN for a Long Term Care/Alzheimer's Unit; Mental Health Nurse working with adolescent, pediatric, geropsych, and adult patients; and Resident Assessment Coordinator. This has rewarded me with extensive skill sets, allowing me to assess and implement a plan of care that will effectively meet the needs of our clients." Other family members also have extensive health care experience and accomplishments within the local community, and they are eager to put this knowledge to work.

The Zetina family's Acti-Kare branch will serve seniors and families throughout the West Los Angeles area. Having lived in the area for over half of her life, Carol Zetina is enthusiastic about providing much-needed assistance to members of her own community. "Our motto is, wherever there is a need, we will provide compassionate care: your way, in your environment," she concludes.

For more information about Acti-Kare locations and caregiver services, please visit http://www.actikare.com or call 1-888-451-5273.

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SOURCE Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home Care