The FirstLight Care Corner

Family Caregivers Should Practice Self-Care During a Pandemic

From our Care Blog

The COVID-19 pandemic has made caring for a loved one even more difficult. Family members caring for a loved one in their home are faced with so many more concerns during this time. But family caregivers should practice self-care. Simple tasks like shopping for groceries or picking up medication have an added layer of complication and worry. Senior isolation may be a concern. Even making sure your loved one is getting proper nutrition and enough sleep can be a challenge. Some family caregivers may be without respite care or the help of other family members, making the task of self-care more difficult than...

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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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How to Pay for In-Home Care

From our Care Blog

When your elderly parents or loved one needs senior care, they will often tell you that they would prefer to receive care in the comfort of their own home. At first, the in-home care services they need could be non-medical, such as light housekeeping, food preparation, companion, or personal care. As they age, however, the home services they require could increase to include medical services that involve the expertise of health care professionals like nurses and therapists. Every In-Home Care Scenario is Different Non-medical home care, like any other elder care service, costs money. And every in-home care situation is unique. To...

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Considering Options for Your Loved One? Home Care is the Answer

From our Care Blog

Most adults over the age of 65 prefer to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. We know that there are many long-term benefits of allowing adults the freedom to age in place. Staying at home helps seniors maintain a routine, and home provides the familiarity and comfort that no other place can. While aging at home is the ideal situation, many seniors need help with various tasks throughout the day to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. When faced with this need, some gravitate toward assisted living or other senior living communities. While these options offer...

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Every Day Should Be Mother's Day ??

From our Care Blog

Mother’s Day is this Sunday. Although we think moms should be recognized every day as they are the ultimate caregiver! To celebrate, we are sharing some of our favorite mom quotes: “If love is as sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.” —Stevie Wonder “Mother is a verb. It is something you do. Not just who you are.” – Dorothy Canfield Fisher “I love my mom as trees love water and sunshine. She helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights.” – Terry Guillemets “If I had a single flower for every time I...

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Understanding Oral Cancer - risk factors, early detection and prevention

From our Care Blog

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, close to 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year. However, if it is caught early enough, the chances of successful treatment are high. At your regular dental checkup, your dentist should look for early signs of mouth cancer, but it's also important for you to take an active role in recognizing the signs as well. Risk Factors There is no single leading cause of oral cancer, but there are various factors that could put someone at a higher risk for this disease: Age:...

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Caring for a Loved One with Parkinson’s Disease

From our Care Blog

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month Parkinson’s is an incurable, progressive neurological disease that primarily affects movement, but it can also affect cognition. Because of its progression, it can be difficult to care for someone with the disease. We have curated some helpful tips to support family caregivers who are caring for a loved one living with Parkinson’s. Understand the disease and the person living with Parkinson’s. There are special challenges when caring for someone with Parkinson’s because every day can present something new. The incidence and severity of Parkinson’s disease symptoms vary from day to day and even from one...

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How to Talk to Kids and Teens About Coronavirus

From our Care Blog

Everywhere you turn people are talking about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). This unprecedented pandemic is affecting nearly everyone and everything - from school closures and job loss to the cancellation of special events to limited interaction with friends and family. If the news of these uncertain and unusual times is impacting how you are feeling, it most likely is impacting the children in your household too. Kids and teenagers alike need adults to help them put something like COVID-19 into perspective. It is important to create an open and supportive environment where children can ask questions… and if they are...

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Caregiver Burnout VS. Compassion Fatigue

From our Care Blog

For many, it’s hard to tell the difference between caregiver burnout and compassion fatigue, but there is a difference. Compassion fatigue occurs initially when caregivers cannot remove themselves from their loved one’s condition long enough to recover from the stress they feel when attending to another person’s needs. The caregiver can feel trapped and overwhelmed and can experience guilt, trauma, and depression. Compassion fatigue can come on suddenly and often includes: Exhaustion (physical and/or emotional) Feelings of dread or guilt Irritability, anxiety or anger Difficulty sleeping Difficulty making decisions Feeling disconnected Trouble finding meaning in caregiving Self-isolation Caregiver burnout, however,...

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Activities Seniors Can Do at Home

From our Care Blog

If you’re caring for a senior at home and venturing out less in order to keep them - and you - safe and healthy, we know it may be difficult to keep them entertained and engaged. But do not fear! Thanks to some excellent sources out there, we found tons of activities you can do with your loved one while you’re social distancing and staying indoors. Some of these may also be fun for the kiddos who need a break from their non-traditional school work. Take a Virtual Tour Zoos, aquariums, museums, and theme parks are offering virtual tours. Seniors can...

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