Senior
Health & Wellness

Aging and Mental Health: Activities To Improve Your Mental Health

From our Care Blog

One in five older adults experience mental health concerns that are not a normal part of aging – the most common of which are anxiety or mood disorders including depression*. Most mental health cases respond well to treatment, but unfortunately many older adults go do not get diagnosed and go untreated, which can lead to diminished functioning, substance abuse, poor quality of life, and increased mortality. Mental health is as important as physical health. Good mental health contributes to an overall feeling of well-being which impacts your stress levels, memory, sleepand how you think and feel about yourself. There are many...

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Stroke Risk Factors, Know the Four H's

From our Care Blog

Knowing stroke risk factors is half the battle. A stroke, sometimes called a "brain attack," occurs when blood flow to an area in the brain is cut off. The brain cells, deprived of the oxygen and glucose needed to survive, die. If not caught early, permanent brain damage can result. A stroke can happen to anyone at any time, it doesn’t discriminate between gender, race, or age. The good news, if you know the stroke risk factors, up to 80 percent of them are preventable*. May is Stroke Awareness Month and it’s important to know the risk factors that can...

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Age Out Loud, FirstLight Home Care Celebrates Older American's Month

From our Care Blog

Older Americans, it's time to celebrate your age! May is Older American's Month and this year, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) wants to celebrate what getting older looks like today. The theme, Age Out Loud, gives a new voice to older American adults who are working longer, trying new things, and engaging in their communities. They’re taking charge, striving for wellness, focusing on independence, and advocating for themselves and others. At FirstLight Home Care we take pride in celebrating Older American's Month and the fact that we are all getting older. Actually, we celebrate aging every day. For us, our...

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The Benefits of Humor as we Age

From our Care Blog

For many people getting older isn’t funny, but keeping your sense of humor as we age has proven to help us cope with the changes, challenges and unexpected obstacles of aging. A dose of humor promotes good health, and has a beneficial effect on some of the most common health challenges of aging. These benefits fall in four important areas, including: Humor reduces stress: It is believed that laughter works by relieving stress, which is implicated in so many negative impacts on our health. Laughing can help relax muscles, lowers blood pressure and increase the oxygen level in your blood. When...

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Five Myths + Misconceptions of Parkinson’s Disease

From our Care Blog

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. There are many myths and misconceptions about Parkinson's Disease and FirstLIght Home Care is here to set things straight. During the month of April, our caregivers at FirstLight Home Care will share information through our social media channels about the disease. Conversations will include living with or caring for someone with Parkinson’s Disease and tips and resources to help you better understand this progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the United States. The first step in understanding Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is to recognize some of the many common misconceptions and myths that...

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Enjoy the Fresh Air and Sunlight: 12 Springtime Activities for Older Adults

From our Care Blog

After months of colder weather and gray skies in many parts of the country, springtime is a welcomed season. It can be especially refreshing for older adults who have spent the winter cooped-up indoors. Fresh air, warmth and sunshine can play an important role in renewing the spirit and enhancing quality of life. The Benefits of Fresh Air and Sunshine Exposure to sunlight and fresh air offers many health benefits – greater energy, reduced stress and improved sleep, to name a few. Fresh air cleans the lungs and helps bring more oxygen to the cells. This increased oxygen in the...

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Diabetes Alert Day is Coming: Are You at Risk?

From our Care Blog

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and one in four of them doesn’t even know it. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease and can be managed through diet, physical activity and appropriate use of insulin and oral medications to lower blood sugar levels. American Diabetes Association Alert Day® is next Tuesday, March 28. It’s observed to help sound the alarm about the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in American adults by asking people to take the "Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test." The Importance of Detection...

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Nutrition and Aging: Eating for a Healthy Body and Mind

From our Care Blog

FirstLight Home Care provides tips on nutrition and aging that support your loved one’s journey to a healthy lifestyle.

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The Importance of Sleep for Elderly and Older Adults

From our Care Blog

The importance of sleep for elderly adults cannot be stressed enough, as a major contributor to overall wellbeing as we age.

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Love Your Heart: Helping Prevent Heart Disease with a Healthy Diet

From our Care Blog

Taking care of your heart is integral to healthy aging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 27.6 million Americans – about 11.5 percent of the population – have diagnosed heart disease. The good news is heart disease can often be prevented – and even reversed – when people make healthy choices. That includes adoption of a healthy diet. February is American Heart Month, and it's a good time to take a look at lifestyle changes we all can make to help fight cardiovascular disease. Eating right and staying fit are important no matter what your...

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