Senior
Health & Wellness

Personal Stories, Personal Care

From our Care Blog

More than 20 years ago, Kim Motter remembers when her grandmother, Olivia, could no longer live independently in her home after suffering from a severe fall. Kim remembers how at the time, in-home care options were limited. Nursing homes were really the only viable care option for her family, who lived some 250 miles away from her ailing grandmother. Today, times are different. Kim, who recently opened a FirstLight Home Care business with her partner Liza M. Burns in Dayton, Ohio, never forgot Olivia’s story. Its lasting impact carried over into a mission of providing in-home care for those who...

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Does Fear Lead to Falls?

From our Care Blog

According to a new study, the answer is yes. Research released this week by Sydney, Australia-based medical publisher BMJ indicated that older adults who have a fear of falling are at an increased risk for future falls, regardless of physical risk assessment. The study included 500 people, aged 70 to 90, who underwent extensive medical and psychological tests that estimated the participants’ actual and perceived fall risks. Those with a high level of anxiety about falling were mostly like to endure a spill. The risk of falling can always be minimized with the aid of an in-home care giver, regardless...

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Seniors Adapt to the Loss of a Partner

From our Care Blog

Coping with the death of a spouse is never easy. This week, I was again reminded of the number of people who deal with the fall out on a daily basis. On Tuesday, The Washington Post ran an eye-opening piece that discussed not only how the loss of a spouse can emotionally and physically impact an older American—but more importantly, it delved into new coping mechanisms brought forth by boomers. How are they changing the ways senior citizens are moving forward after a loss? Given the statistical data, changes are in order. The Post reports that those senior citizens measuring...

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How to Provide Care for the Caregiver

From our Care Blog

As a caregiver, you balance a busy schedule. Between work, family and caring for a senior or loved one, sometimes you find it difficult to make time for yourself. But finding time to do so can make all the difference in your work—just ask the experts at Caring.com, a great web resource that offers tips on how you can help parents and seniors in all aspects of their lives. This week I came across an interesting article discussing the topic of “me” time. Where does “me” time fit into caregiving? In quite a few places, actually. Those who make time...

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Senior Care and Vision Impairment

From our Care Blog

I hope all of you have been enjoying the summer so far! With so much to see and do during this relaxing time, it’s important to keep our loved ones and seniors in the mix. For those who are challenged by vision impairment, taking part in summer activities may be more challenging. Fortunately, if you are a senior caregiver or companion you can help. Today there are a variety of options that will help your loved one continue to live out his or her life to the fullest despite limitations. One of my favorite resources, The Savvy Senior, offers some...

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Seniors and Moving: How Can You Help?

From our Care Blog

In summer, it seems everyone is on the move—both literally and figuratively. For seniors who are faced with the decision to move, the situation may not seem entirely sunny. One of the hardest things we may have to do as a caregiver or child is watch a senior struggle with the prospect of leaving a residence that bears strong emotional and physical ties. Not only are many seniors bound by lifelong memories to their homes, but a physical illness or disability may prevent them from seeking friends or companions outside a new location. As a caregiver or spouse, you can...

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Seniors Get Their Kicks on Summer Wellness Tip

From our Care Blog

I’ve been stirring some social media interest surrounding an article I Tweeted last week on the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program, an innovative exercise and wellness program that promotes fit lifestyles. The Arizona City Independent reports a particularly active program is kicking at the state's Tri-Valley Fitness Center, where accredited instructors are helping seniors make the most of their golden years. The award-winning SilverSneakers finds a niche in regions where older populations are choosing to retire. In Arizona, for example, many health plans cover the program, including HealthNet of Arizona, Health Choice and AARP Medicare Supplement, to name a few. And that’s...

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Holiday Presents Time to Assess Care Needs

From our Care Blog

The holiday weekend is almost upon us! As families prepare to celebrate the upcoming 4th of July with picnics, fireworks and a few rousing games of Bocce ball, it’s also an important time to remember the people who make these moments so special. With burgers on the grill and good times abounding, it may not seem like the most practical moment to start a conversation about whether an elderly individual in your life is a candidate for long-term care; but having the talk before any problems arise is actually the smartest thing to do, because it allows both parties to...

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Summer Driving and Senior Safety Tips

From our Care Blog

Summer is now in full swing and that means one thing—road trips! Last April I blogged about how dementia can impact driving among senior populations. While FirstLight Home Care remains passionate about our client companionship services, which include transportation, we also want to encourage seniors to remain independent, active and alert when enjoying the summer season. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised to read a survey released on June 22 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that revealed seniors are actually doing a lot of right things when it comes to their driver awareness. The survey showed that fatal...

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Summertime Tips for Seniors

From our Care Blog

Summer is finally starting to heat up, which means our seniors need to be even more mindful of how they handle their health. Each year, thousands of seniors succumb to dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. How can you help the senior in your life live out their summer season to the fullest? Check out some of my quick tips, as gleaned from a helpful article in California’s Alameda Sun. If you are providing in-home care for a senior with limited mobility, a loved one or in-home care giver should make sure he or she has a properly functioning cooling...

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