Senior
Health & Wellness

Senior Activities

From our Care Blog

When you think of an activity night for seniors, bingo is always the first thought that comes to mind.  But did you know there are other great activities that seniors can do to improve happiness and build friendships?  Seniors activities are great for improving cognitive ability, building social interactions, and keeping active and healthy.  From dances to field trips, there are a wide range of great activities for seniors that can bring more laughter and fun into their lives.  Below we have listed some of our favorite activities for seniors. Dancing Noting keeps you youthgul and happy quite like dancing....

Learn More about Senior Activities

Secrets To Living A Longer Life

From our Care Blog

How can I live longer? It’s an age-old question that everyone asks themselves onetime or another in their lifetime.  Whether you have had a recent health scare or simply want to live a healthier life, there are plenty of things you can do live a longer life.  The great news is that you don’t need to make drastic changes to your life in order to live longer; rather, you can make small changes to the way you live each day which over time will make a huge impact on your life. Below are a few key tips that you can incorporate into your day-to-day...

Learn More about Secrets To Living A Longer Life

Is It Time To Take The Car Keys Away?

From our Care Blog

One of the hardest discussions you will have with your  senior parents is to recommend they stop driving. Taking the keys away can be a  very traumatic event for them, because it means a loss of independence and  freedom. Unfortunately, many older  individuals continue to drive even after they realize they are less than capable. Even in the best of circumstances and at any age, driving can be a demanding, mentally exhaustive experience! Your vision, dexterity, hearing and reflexes have to be keen. Drivers over 75 have the second-highest rate, after teenagers, of fatal crashes per mile driven, according to Federal...

Learn More about Is It Time To Take The Car Keys Away?

Travel Companion for Seniors

From our Care Blog

Can you believe it? Summer is almost here, which means vacations and family visits are on everyone’s minds.  If you or a loved one are desiring to travel this summer but are uneasy about making the trip alone, we completely understand, as traveling can be hectic to everyone these days. At FirstLight Home Care we offer a special service called our, “Travel Companion Program.” Our “Travel Companion Program” is designed specifically for clients in need of travel assistance. Whether they are traveling nationally or internationally makes no difference. Our travel companions are here to help you or your loved one...

Learn More about Travel Companion for Seniors

Reducing the High Cost of Hospital Readmissions

From our Care Blog

Millions of Americans go to the hospital each year for reasons that are often necessary and unavoidable. Whether we fall, get sick, or hurt ourselves in a number of different ways, going to the hospital for medical care is something that we simply can't avoid.  However, the same cannot be said for a substantial fraction of people who are readmitted to hospitals each year.  Hospital readmission is not only extremely costly and harmful to the patient, it can be easily avoided with proper care and precaution. Although there are many factors that can play into the need for a hospital readmission,...

Learn More about Reducing the High Cost of Hospital Readmissions

Meditation and Aging

From our Care Blog

For thousands of years, meditation has served as an excellent source of stress relief and relaxation. Through active practice, people can even see improvements in their health, including reduced blood pressure, a slower heart rate, and a stronger immune system.  But did you know that it might also help reduce the process of aging? Recent studies have found that people who practice mindful meditation (focusing on the present) had improved telomere health.  For those who aren’t neuroscientists, telomeres are the protective ends of our DNA that prevent the ends of chromosomes from fusing with nearby chromosomes or deteriorating.  The healthier the telomere,...

Learn More about Meditation and Aging

Four Effective Ways To Ask For Help For Seniors

From our Care Blog

Taking care of an elderly parent or a person with a chronic illness can become too much. You have your own family, job and responsibilities, and can easily become overwhelmed. Don’t be too proud to ask for help – from other family members, friends, people in your church or community organizations. You’ll be amazed at how many people volunteer and will love helping seniors! Help with Meals. Too often, seniors neglect their nutrition and eat poorly. This can result in weight loss or serve as a precursor to illnesses such as diabetes. Round up a group of people to provide meals for one day/week each. They...

Learn More about Four Effective Ways To Ask For Help For Seniors

Depression In Seniors

From our Care Blog

Depression is common amongst aging parents.  As parents begin to age, they also begin to recognize the realities of their mortality through physical and mental limitations. Signs of depression should never be taken lightly-there are a number of important issues in regards to depression amongst the elderly. Please make sure to address these issues with those around you, all care takers, and your parents. Depression is not something that is easily spoken of but imperative that it be for the health and safety of your parents. Know the warning signs of depression.  Take the time to be aware of the...

Learn More about Depression In Seniors

Senior Citizen Exercising

From our Care Blog

During the winter months, exercising is the last thing many of us want to do.  Although, we all know how important it is to continue to stay active, and a good exercise regime year around will help maintain a healthy lifestyle. With that said, it isn't only important for you to continue to exercise but to make sure it is a goal for your aging parent as well.  This is an even trickier battle, since the winter months can be dangerous, and going outside isn't always the best plan.  “A regular exercise program is the best available prescription for independent, active...

Learn More about Senior Citizen Exercising

Caregiving Tips From Nurse Gina

From our Care Blog

Here at FirstLight Home Care, we believe it takes an incredibly special person to be a caregiver. Patience, understanding, unconditional love and kindness to not just a loved one, but to others in need of care as well. It’s not easy being a caregiver; there are struggles emotionally, mentally and of course, at the end of the day, physically, you are exhausted. Whether you are caring for a loved one or for several others-it doesn’t matter. You are an extraordinary person. You may be familiar with our very own Nurse Gina. With more than 40 years of experience as an RN, geriatric...

Learn More about Caregiving Tips From Nurse Gina