Alzheimer’s and
Memory Loss

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week – Understanding the Misconceptions

From our Care Blog

Are you or someone you care about struggling with an eating disorder? Eating disorders are complex illnesses that can be life-threatening for the young and old. February 23 to March 1 is the National Eating Disorders Awareness Week and it was started to support families and communities who are struggling with this disease. It also brings awareness and helps to overcome the misconceptions following these mental health disorders. This disease does not target just adolescent women, it is an illness that strikes all age groups, genders and demographics. One person in every hundred people in the United States struggle with...

Learn More about National Eating Disorders Awareness Week – Understanding the Misconceptions

4 Things to Elder Proof Your Bathroom

From our Care Blog

Each year thousands* of people over the age of 55 are injured in the bathroom due to simple slip and falls while in the bath or using the bathroom. As the aging become more fragile or health problems and side effects from medications can increase chances of injury, there are simple additions you can make in their bathroom to reduce the risk of injuries or even death. Safety-Rails: Install grab bars by the toilet and in the shower. These need to be properly installed so they are secure enough to support weight. Also consider using shower chairs and bath benches...

Learn More about 4 Things to Elder Proof Your Bathroom

Make a Difference In The Life Of A Senior

From our Care Blog

October is the month that has the largest community support day called Make a Difference. Millions of people gather around the country to improve the lives of others. In its 24th year, this day is all about helping those less fortunate or people who just need a helping hand. Seniors often need help more than one day a year – it is often a life-long issue as they get older and less mobile. Many senior citizens need help because as they age, doing household chores or running errands can become more difficult. If you have a senior relative, neighbor or...

Learn More about Make a Difference In The Life Of A Senior

Health: Tips to Stay Cool during a Heat Wave

From our Care Blog

It’s August and that means it’s hot outside. Heat waves are hitting the U.S. hard and temperatures are soaring. For many people – especially our senior population - they do not have air conditioning. If you know someone in your neighborhood who does not have air conditioning and is struggling to keep cool, here are some tips for surviving a heat wave that you can share with them. Purchase a fan. Box fans and ceiling fans can promote air circulation throughout the home. Opening doors in the house and using box fans to push hot air outdoors can function as...

Learn More about Health: Tips to Stay Cool during a Heat Wave

Health: Foot Care and the Right Pair of Shoes

From our Care Blog

Be kind to your feet. As we age, the years of wear and tear can be hard on them. Disease, bad circulation, poorly trimmed toenails, and wearing shoes that don't fit can also harm your feet. Nurse Gina has discussed many times within the FirstLight Home Care family that foot problems are sometimes the first sign of more serious medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and nerve or circulatory disorders. Her recommendations.... practice good foot care. The National Institute on Aging recommends that you look at your feet often; use a mirror to look at the bottoms of your feet....

Learn More about Health: Foot Care and the Right Pair of Shoes

Family: Caregiving 101

From our Care Blog

Our Nurse Gina receives a lot of questions from families that recently started caring for aging family members. Their questions and concerns tend to focus on the best tools they can apply to their situation to help ease the role of caregiver. Here are some of our answers. Ask Questions: To give your loved one the best care, you have to understand her needs. Set aside time to talk. Find out how she feels and what she wants you to do for her. Don't argue or insist your own opinion is best. Offer ideas, but listen to what she has...

Learn More about Family: Caregiving 101

Top 6 Myths About Home Care

From our Care Blog

When we visit our clients for an in-home consultation, we often find there are misunderstandings about home care and what the experience entails. For many, home care is a blessing, a secure way for parents to rehabilitate in the home. Others are nervous about letting strangers into their home, because we have all heard some nightmare stories about elder care. Here we’ll talk about some common myths about home care, versus the reality. Myth #1: The caregivers will rob me or abuse my parents. We have all heard news stories about the elderly being robbed or abused. However, if you...

Learn More about Top 6 Myths About Home Care

Family Discussion: Long Distance Caregiving

From our Care Blog

Caregiving from a distance is no easy task. It can be stressful because you can’t be there at a moment’s notice when your parents need you.  To help reduce some of the stress and to help you organize the process for care when your loved ones do not live near you, we have put together some helpful tips we’ve gathered from Nurse Gina. Create a Contact List: Assemble and organize a contact list that includes addresses, phone numbers and emails of friends, neighbors, doctors, faith leaders and others in regular contact with your parents who you can be reached in...

Learn More about Family Discussion: Long Distance Caregiving

4 Tips to Ease Caregiver Stress

From our Care Blog

The responsibilities and challenges of caring for a loved one can place significant stress on the family caregiver. In fact, this stress can build up and cause caregiver distress—a situation where the caregiver may become more susceptible to other health risks, including depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and nagging health problems such as headaches. To help family caregivers combat this potential for caregiver distress, our Ask Nurse Gina has five tips to help reduce Caregiver Stress. Exercise: When schedules get busy, exercise is usually the first thing to go. Make sure the caregiver in your family has time each day for some...

Learn More about 4 Tips to Ease Caregiver Stress

Alzheimer’s Disease: Caring for the Caregiver

From our Care Blog

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. Worldwide, 47 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and behind every person fighting this disease is a family member and caregiver battling it too. We know you’ve got questions. You’re scared and worried about what is going to happen next. This isn’t healthy. Caregivers and family members living alongside a person with Alzheimer’s need to care for themselves too. It’s not easy but it must be done for you to maintain your own health. We asked our FirstLight Home Care Caregivers to give us their best tools to help maintain...

Learn More about Alzheimer’s Disease: Caring for the Caregiver