Senior
Health & Wellness

Senior Isolation: Helping Seniors Stay Engaged

From our Care Blog

Watching an elderly loved one struggle with senior isolation is a heartbreaking experience. You want to give them the care and attention they need. However, with your own personal and work obligations, it can feel like an impossible situation.  Now, in the age of COVID-19, you have the added risk of potentially exposing them if they have yet to be vaccinated. As a result, while your loved one has been staying inside to stay safe, they’ve been cut off from socialization and stimulation. This has come at a cost for so many seniors in the form of unhealthy isolation. In...

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Healthy Eye Care Habits for Seniors

From our Care Blog

By getting regular exams and maintaining healthy habits for aging eyes, seniors have a better chance of detecting certain eye diseases early on, helping to safeguard their vision as they age. It’s never too early to start protecting your eyes. Healthy eye care habits and routine exams can help maintain good eye health now and in the future. January is National Eye Care and National Glaucoma Awareness Month. There is no cure for glaucoma, but early detection and treatment can often reduce the damage and protect your vision. Learn more about the symptoms, treatment and prevention of glaucoma. Read WHAT...

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Health Benefits of Gardening for Seniors

From our Care Blog

Getting your hands dirty in the garden is the first step toward cleaner living. Gardening allows you to create beauty while enjoying the benefits of fresh air. Unlike some activities, such as walking on a treadmill, gardening gets seniors outside. It also offers tangible rewards in the form of gorgeous blossoms or tasty food. That's just the beginning when it comes to the health benefits of gardening for seniors. Exercise Gardening can help you stay active at any age. It’s considered a moderate activity and it can burn about 300 calories an hour. Plus, the movement of planting and tending...

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Our Commitment to You: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

From our Care Blog

There is no doubt we are in unprecedented times. With the ongoing and increased uncertainty of coronavirus (COVID-19), and the tremendous speed in which things are changing, caring for our clients, families, caregivers and team members continues to be our top priority. We want to ensure you that every member of our FirstLight family is informed daily of what is happening around us. And we are prepared for these types of situations. FirstLight® Home Care continues to actively monitor the progression of coronavirus (COVID-19) to ensure that we have the most accurate, updated information. The infection control practices we have...

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How Coronavirus Could Affect Seniors

From our Care Blog

We have been closely following Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and reports from the CDC, the World Health Organization and other state and local entities, and our thoughts have undeniably been with all those affected. Recent news of the virus starting to spread in the U.S. is unsettling. While it's natural to worry and wonder what could happen if the spread of the virus gets worse, it's also important not to panic… but instead to be armed with helpful information from the experts. Of course, we at FirstLight Home Care are deeply committed to the health, safety and well-being of all our clients,...

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5 Surprising Ways Stress Can Impact Senior Health

From our Care Blog

Everyone experiences stress to some degree. Yet, it can be a silent factor of overall well-being, especially for seniors. Often, senior stress can mask itself in a number of ways, and cause serious issues that may be attributed to other senior health issues. Therefore, it’s important for seniors and their caregivers to understand the symptoms of stress, as well as the different ways to address and prevent it. Overeating When people get stressed, their body releases cortisol, a hormone that readies the body for a fight or flight response. This is why appetite increases during stressful situations: the body is...

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The Importance of Oral Health and Hygiene As We Age

From our Care Blog

October is Dental Hygiene Month A century ago, the need for dentures later in life was considered a natural part of aging. Today, three-quarters of people over the age of 65 retain at least some of their natural teeth. While the improvement in oral health care among seniors is something to smile about, our aging loved ones still need to be diligent when it comes to their teeth. Even with regular brushing and flossing, older people still have higher rates of gum disease, dental decay, oral cancer, mouth infections, and tooth loss. Our team at FirstLight® addressed several oral health...

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Immunization Awareness for Older Adults

From our Care Blog

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, an annual observance meant to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. However, vaccines are particularly important for older adults because as you age, your immune system weakens, and it can be more difficult to fight off infections. The older you get, the more likely you are to get diseases like the flu, pneumonia, and shingles. Certain immunizations can help keep seniors from getting and spreading serious diseases that could result in poor health, medical bills and the inability to care for themselves. Getting vaccinated can help keep your older loved...

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How Smartwatches Are Changing the Face of the Medical Alert Industry

From our Care Blog

Smartwatches offer unique benefits over traditional medical alert devices Medical alert devices can be lifesaving for seniors who find themselves in an emergency situation. They also can reduce stress and anxiety for caregivers by providing peace of mind that a loved one will be able to get the help they need after an accident or injury. There are numerous medical alert systems on the market today, the majority of which are traditional in-home units and mobile options for more active seniors. In recent years, some companies have started offering smartwatch-style devices, which offer a fresh alternative for caregivers looking to...

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7 Heart-Healthy Tips for Seniors

From our Care Blog

February is American Heart Month, an ideal time to commit to making small changes that can lead to a lifetime of heart health. Did you know that cardiovascular disease is a major threat to senior health? The American Heart Association reports that 84 percent of people age 65 years and older die from heart disease. Here are seven smart heart-healthy tips to help seniors take care of their hearts and reduce the risk of heart disease. If you are an adult child caring for your parent, here is some advice you can give them to promote well-being and help them...

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