Community

The FirstLight Hospital Readmission Reduction Program

Healthcare reform initiatives have mandated reducing preventable hospital readmissions, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is now implementing reimbursement penalties to hospitals with relatively higher rates of Medicare readmissions. Under the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP), hospitals with readmission rates that exceed the national average are penalized by a reduction in payments across all of their Medicare admissions — not just those which resulted in readmissions. Fortunately, studies show that hospitals can engage in several activities to lower their rate of readmissions. For example, hospitals that clarify patient discharge instructions and coordinate with home care providers and patients’ primary care physicians have been able to achieve 20-50% reductions in hospital readmissions. The greatest...

Learn More about The FirstLight Hospital Readmission Reduction Program

"Blaze A Trail" During Older Americans Month

Older Americans Month is an annual event dating back to 1963, when President John F. Kennedy designated May as "Senior Citizens Month." It was later renamed Older Americans Month, honoring older Americans and celebrating their contributions to our communities and our nation. When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of...

Learn More about "Blaze A Trail" During Older Americans Month

FirstLight Home Care Voted “Best Home Health Care Agency” in the South Sound

FirstLight Home Care today was named “Best Home Health Care Agency” in the 2015 Best of South Sound award ceremony hosted by the Thurston County Chamber. For the past decade The Olympian has recognized Thurston County businesses with the coveted Best of South Sound awards. Readers vote online for their favorite businesses in over 80 categories. Sarah and Greg Lane, co-owners of FirstLight Home Care – South Sound, accepted the award and said they were honored to be voted the winner of “Best Home Health Care Agency.” “We can think of no greater accolade than being chosen as ‘Best’ by...

Learn More about FirstLight Home Care Voted “Best Home Health Care Agency” in the South Sound

FirstLight Home Care -- South Sound Receives 2015 Best of Home Care® Awards

Home Care Pulse has selected FirstLight Home Care – South Sound to receive both the Best of Home Care Provider of Choice Award and Employer of Choice Award for 2015, the only home care agency in Thurston County to be recognized with either of the coveted honors. Awarded to only the highest quality home care providers, based on client and caregiver satisfaction surveys gathered independently by Home Care Pulse in 2015, FirstLight Home Care – South Sound is now ranked among a select group of home care providers across the country who have proven their ability to provide the highest quality care to clients and an...

Learn More about FirstLight Home Care -- South Sound Receives 2015 Best of Home Care® Awards

Morning Mixxer Photos

Thurston Chamber Morning Mixxer -- Dec. 1, 2015 [caption id="attachment_779" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Photos with Santa and "Buddy" the Elf![/caption] [caption id="attachment_798" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Fabulous fresh scones made by FirstLight Home Care caregiver Mary Janssen.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_800" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Nearly 3 dozen toys were donated to Toys for Tots![/caption] [caption id="attachment_782" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Thanks to Beth Johnson and everyone at the Thurston County Chamber![/caption] [caption id="attachment_789" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Lots of great raffle prizes awarded by FirstLight Director of Community Outreach Adriana Hutchings![/caption] [caption id="attachment_797" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The wonderful FirstLight Home Care team![/caption]

Learn More about Morning Mixxer Photos

We are Now Serving the Clients of Olympic Home Care

When the management team at Olympic Home Care decided to close their business, their top priority was to ensure their clients would continue receiving the highest quality care from another home care agency that shared their mission and values. That’s why they chose FirstLight Home Care – South Sound, a locally-owned provider of in-home care for seniors and disabled adults, to assume the responsibility of providing care to Olympic’s clients beginning this week. “We took tremendous pride in providing the best skilled, experienced and compassionate in-home care possible,” explained Callie Martinez, Assistant Manager at Olympic Home Care since 2012.  “If...

Learn More about We are Now Serving the Clients of Olympic Home Care

"Classic Car Show" Delivers Fun and Raises Funds

What great fun we had at the Classic Car Show hosted by Olympics West Senior Living last Saturday! Over two dozen classic cars were there, many proudly displayed by the local group the Road Rebels Car Club.  There were a variety of beautiful vehicles from the 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Those attending, including dozens Olympics West residents and auto enthusiast members of the community, were entertained by live music, bathed in beautiful sunshine all afternoon and treated to free ice cream! FirstLight Home Care volunteered to provide homemade pulled pork sandwich lunches to raise money for the South Sound Alzheimer's Council.  All told,...

Learn More about "Classic Car Show" Delivers Fun and Raises Funds