Understanding
Senior Care

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 Sandwich Generation Caregivers Can Manage Stress

From our Care Blog

Are you part of the sandwich generation? You know, those adults who are “sandwiched” between their elderly parents and their own children. Sandwich generation caregivers are made up of people who are caring for their aging parents while also supporting their own children. This generation typically includes people in their 40s, 50s and sometimes 60s. Most of these individuals work outside the home. It is predominantly women who take on this caregiving role. The majority struggle to balance the demands that come from caring for so many. According to a 2017 Pew research report, nearly half of those aged 40...

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Happy Birthday, America!

From our Care Blog

With a true national spirit of courage, integrity, sacrifice, liberty and independence we wish you a Happy Independence Day! From all of us at FirstLight Home Care, we wish you a happy 4th of July.

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Summer Travel Tips for Seniors

From our Care Blog

A roundup of some of our most popular travel advice. According to a recent AARP report summarizing 2019 boomer travel trends, seniors are expected to take four to five leisure trips this year. Oftentimes, travel can be especially difficult for seniors. For some, there are certain considerations to keep in mind in order to ensure a safe, relaxing vacation, especially if they have mobility issues or are traveling with oxygen. And others may need to do some extra planning before going on a trip, like filling prescriptions in advance and packing all the medications they will need while away. But,...

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Simple Ways Family Caregivers Can Take Time for Themselves (and Not Feel Guilty!)

From our Care Blog

As a family caregiver, you are focused on the care of others. And often the one person you forget to take care of is yourself. We all know how important it is for you to stay healthy, fit and rested in order to be at your best. Caring for another is a rewarding personal experience, especially if it’s one of your own family members. But at the same time, factors like exhaustion, worry, inadequate resources, and continuous care demands can be enormously stressful. It is important that family caregiver takes time for themselves. Here are a few simple ways to...

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Join Us in The Fight Against Alzheimer’s

From our Care Blog

On The Longest Day, the strength of our light will outshine the darkness of Alzheimer’s. The longest day in our calendar year is determined by the day with the most daylight – the summer solstice. In 2019 this day is June 21. On this day, and through August, FirstLight® Home Care locations across the United States will join thousands of participants around the world to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s by hosting community fundraising activities and awareness events in support of The Longest Day®. Alzheimer’s disease is a global epidemic. Progressive and eventually debilitating, Alzheimer’s is devasting to everyone affected...

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Recovery After a Stroke: Tips for the Family Caregiver

From our Care Blog

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. If you are caring for a family member who has had a stroke, and you are helping them recover in their home, we know firsthand the high levels of emotional and physical stress you both may experience without proper in-home care services. Caregivers play a vital role in the post-stroke recovery process. The more aware caregivers are of available resources, programs, services, and self-care tips - for the stroke survivor and themselves - the more likely they will affect positive outcomes and keep stress at a minimum. FirstLight Home Care has put together the...

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Our Best Mother’s Day Advice

From our Care Blog

“A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.” —Unknown Mother’s Day is a holiday that it is observed in many different forms throughout the world. According to History.com, the American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. In honor of the holiday, we asked our FirstLight family to share their best Mother’s Day advice. We’ve included a sampling here, along with a sprinkling of inspirational quotes. Enjoy! And please comment here on this post or on our Facebook page if you’d like to share...

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5 Reasons to Thank a Nurse. National Nurses Week is May 6-12.

From our Care Blog

Nursing is a noble profession that is not for the faint of heart. Nurses face risks and challenges in their job each day, and their courage and patients should be celebrated. In 1993, the American Nurses Association declared May 6-12 as the national week to honor and elevate the nursing profession. National Nurses Week is a time for everyone to recognize the positive impact and vast contributions millions of nurses make to our communities. Each year, the celebration ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday. At FirstLight Home Care, we have dozens of reasons to thank a nurse for their...

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8 Ways to Deal with Caregiver Stress

From our Care Blog

It can be overwhelming to take care of a loved one who is aging or one living with cognitive problems or a disability. Too much stress can be harmful to you and to the one in your care. It’s important to recognize the signs of caregiver stress and to put actions in place to manage and reduce your stress and anxiety levels. Signs of caregiver stress As a caregiver, you are “on call” almost all the time. This ongoing demand can make you become so focused on the loved one in your care, that you forget about yourself. You put...

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