Top Caregiver Skills| FirstLight Home Care
From our Care Blog
Considering a new career in home care? FirstLight offers full training and support – but these caregiver skills will also come in handy.
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What are the Seven Stages of Alzheimer's?
From our Care Blog
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that gradually worsens over a period of four to 20 years based on recent data from the Alzheimer’s Association. On average, however, most people live between four to eight years following diagnosis. The progression of the disease may be different for each person, but typically, the sequence of this disease is consistent. Family caregivers should familiarize themselves with the progression and understand what may happen during each stage of the disease. Stage One: Normal In the first stage, a person with Alzheimer’s disease has no memory impairment and no apparent symptoms of dementia. This stage...
3 Reasons Elderly Diabetics Should Have Home Care
From our Care Blog
Day-to-day tasks at home can be more difficult for elderly diabetics As we age, everyday tasks get harder from complications with mobility, vision, and other underlying health factors. While some elderly adults have health concerns that can impact their lifestyles, many live fully independent. However, for elderly diabetics, day-to-day activities like managing blood glucose levels, taking an abundance of medications and eating an adequate diet can all be strenuous. To give families peace of mind for their senior loved one with diabetes, find out how having an in-home caregiver is the perfect solution to ensure they maintain a healthy lifestyle....
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What is Caregiver Stress Syndrome?
From our Care Blog
Caregiver Stress Syndrome is a condition in which a caregiver experiences physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. Typically, this occurs when a caregiver neglects their own physical and emotional health because they are focused on caring for an ill, injured, disabled, or aging loved one. They also often try to take on more responsibility than they should, and they feel guilty about taking time for themselves. Signs of caregiver stress syndrome: Feeling overwhelmed or constantly worried Feeling tired often Getting too much sleep or not enough sleep Gaining or losing weight Becoming easily irritated or angry Losing interest in activities you...
How to Manage Your Loved One’s Hoarding Behavior
From our Care Blog
How do you deal with an older loved one who has begun exhibiting hoarding behavior? Hoarding behavior goes beyond just collecting mementos of the past. Oftentimes your loved one’s home will be filled with clutter or even trash, and they may find it difficult or impossible to get rid of these things. Their home may become filled, with only narrow pathways to navigate from room to room. These hoarded items can eventually become a health or safety concern and potentially a fire hazard. When hoarding reaches these unhealthy levels, it’s up to the family members to intervene. But this can...
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6 THINGS YOU MUST ASK YOURSELF BEFORE BECOMING YOUR PARENT'S CAREGIVER
From our Care Blog
Every year, an estimated 43.5 million adults in the U.S.—about 60% of them women—become a parent's caregiver. (Source: AARP). Taking care of someone you love is rewarding, but it does come with its own challenges. Here are six things you must ask yourself before becoming your parent’s caregiver: Are you prepared for the physical challenges of caregiving? Many people sign up to be the primary caregiver out of a sense of duty or even guilt. While it is admirable to become the family caregiver, you may not be entirely prepared for the roller coaster of emotions and physical stress that...
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5 TIPS FOR HELPING THE ELDERLY WITH PERSONAL HYGIENE
From our Care Blog
Everyday tasks can become more difficult as we age. For many seniors, good personal hygiene can be especially challenging due to a lack of mobility and sometimes a sheer lack of energy. Depression, isolation, dementia, a fear of falling, or medication side effects can all cause seniors to lose interest in or completely neglect their personal hygiene and grooming. Health and hygiene go hand in hand. If you or an aging loved one is having difficulties maintaining a daily hygiene routine, here are some helpful tips. Identify the issues. Get to the root of why your loved one has neglected...
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How to Talk to Your Parents About Home Care
From our Care Blog
As our parents get older, they may need more help than they are willing to ask for. Talking with your parents or an aging loved one about needing home care can be a difficult conversation for both of you. For them, it might represent a loss of independence. For you, it can be difficult because you must come with terms with the likelihood that you will need help caring for them. Here are seven helpful tips to help you to start the home care conversation. Do your homework. Before you start the conversation, research the various options that are available....
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6 Ways to Help Aging Loved Ones Adopt Healthier Habits
From our Care Blog
If you ask family caregivers, getting their aging loved ones to eat healthier foods can seem nearly impossible. Sadly, this problem isn’t uncommon: One in every eight Americans older than 65 are at risk for malnutrition, according to research conducted by Kaiser Permanente and the National Institutes of Health. Various physical and mental conditions, as well as medications, can make aging adults less likely to get the nutrition they need to thrive. Whether the enemy is fast food, high cholesterol or a lack of vitamins, here are six ways to incorporate healthier habits (and maybe even some vegetables!) into your...
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Safely Resume Activities in the New Normal
From our Care Blog
We all want to stay safe and connected. With cities across the United States easing restrictions and lifting stay-at-home orders, many family caregivers may be wondering if it is safe for seniors to venture out? There is still a high coronavirus risk to older adults, but there are ways to help them get out of the house and resume activities in the new normal while keeping them safe and healthy. We put together some helpful tips on how to test the waters and safely ease back into social activities while minimizing coronavirus exposure. This piece was originally featured on the...
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