Senior
Health & Wellness

Cardiovascular Disease: Who is at Risk?

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. Know your cardiovascular disease risk. Cardiovascular disease (also known as heart disease) remains the leading global cause of death for men and women, with more than 17.3 million deaths each year. That number is expected to rise to more than 23 million by 2030. There are several types of cardiovascular disease, including: Heart failure: sometimes called congestive heart failure, this means the heart isn't pumping blood as well as it should. Arrhythmia: an abnormal rhythm of the...

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What Are the Keys to Healthy Aging?

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September is Healthy Aging Month Aging is a natural part of life. With it comes many challenges, both physically and mentally. Sometimes there are surprises and uncertainties, and occasionally there are changes in our bodies and minds we just don’t want to face. Yet, as we age, it becomes even more important to take control of our own health and focus on healthy aging. Now is the time! September is Healthy Aging® Month, an annual observance aimed at focusing national attention on the positive aspects of growing older… a chance to encourage us to take personal responsibility for our health…...

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Preventing Falls in the Home

From our Care Blog

Be aware of the risk factors that can cause seniors to fall One in four older Americans falls every year. Falls are the leading cause of injuries for seniors aged 65 and older, so preventing falls can be vital to their overall health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of five falls causes a serious injury, such as broken bones, hip fractures or head injuries. And each year, at least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures. If you have an aging parent or grandparent, helping them reduce their risk of falling can...

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Important Immunizations for Seniors

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August is Immunization Awareness Month Vaccines are not just for children. There are important immunizations for seniors as well. Certain immunizations can help prevent seniors from getting and spreading serious diseases that could result in poor health, medical bills and not being able to care for themselves. In fact, some seniors may need one or more vaccines, even if they received them as a child or as a younger adult. Immunity to certain diseases can wear off over time, and as people get older, they are at an increased risk of contracting various illnesses. Some may also be at risk...

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Art and Aging: How Art Can Benefit Older Adults

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Older adults need to exercise their brain and their body. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association have found with older adults that exercising the brain is as important to keep the brain alert and strong as physical exercise is to keep the body strong and able.The benefits of movement, building, inventing or creating things is fulfilling, and it gives people a sense of worth and contribution while helping them to maintain a positive outlook on life. In the book Successful Aging, John W. Rowe, MD, and Robert L. Kahn, PhD, discuss three aspects of successful aging: low...

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Hot Weather Safety Tips for Older Adults

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Extremely hot weather is in the forecast for many parts of the country.  If you have older family members or elderly neighbors living nearby, it is important to make sure that, as temperatures rise, they are protected from the extreme heat. Here are some great hot weather safety tips that the elderly, as well as their caregivers, can follow to make sure they stay cool and hydrated during these hot summer months. Drink plenty of cool water throughout the day and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Dehydration is the root of many heat-related health problems. Eat cooling, hydrating snacks like popsicles,...

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Understanding Scleroderma

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Pronounced “skleer-oh-DUR-muh”, it is a disease that involves the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues – the fibers that provide the framework and support for your body. June is Scleroderma awareness month. The entire month has been dedicated to this disease because so few people know about it, but yet, there is an increasing number of people being diagnosed with the disease. And, since awareness of the disease is low, many researchers do not always receive the resources they need to better understand the cause, symptoms and find a cure. Scleroderma affects women more often than men...

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Healthy Eyes - June is Cataract Awareness Month

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Your sight matters! Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the United States, and it is the leading cause of blindness in the world.  (Source: Eye World, 2017) Over twenty-two million Americans are affected by cataracts, resulting in an annual estimated cataract treatment cost of $6.8 billion. (Source: Friends for Sight, 2017) FirstLight Home Care wants you to take care of your eyes and to be aware that you can help protect yourself from cataracts by understanding the disease and being proactive on how to prevent it. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens that leads...

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Keeping You Aging Parents' Home Safe

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June is National Safety Month. It is important to keep everyone safe, especially when it comes to your aging parents living independently at home. FirstLight Home Care put together a list of home safety tips to help aging parents prevent falls and accidents in their homes. Start with the outside of your parents' home. Walk around the home to check out the condition of sidewalks, handrails, lighting and vegetation or shrubs. Uneven sidewalks, loose handrails, poor lighting and overgrown landscaping could become a trip hazard. Move or put away outdoor furniture, flower pots, and gardening tools that could obstruct their...

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Aging and Mental Health: Activities To Improve Your Mental Health

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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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