Safety

Senior Safety Tips for the Home

From our Care Blog

National Senior Citizens Day is a time set aside to recognize our older population. Celebrated on August 21st, this day is meant to show appreciation to those who have worked, achieved, sacrificed and accomplished so much to make our lives and our world a better place. If you have a loved one who’s older, one way to help show your gratitude is by making their home safer – so they can live more independently – with these senior safety tips: Tip #1: Eliminate Fall Hazards  Falls are one of the biggest safety threats to seniors. In fact, on average, one...

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Elder Neglect: How to Identify the Signs and Help

From our Care Blog

As our country’s population continues to age, elder neglect is becoming a growing concern among families and health and human rights activists. Though instances of it are on the rise, it’s an issue that often goes underreported. This is simply because victims are typically frail, ill or dealing with conditions, like dementia.  To protect an elderly loved one from neglect, it’s vital to understand what it is and to recognize common signs and symptoms. What is Elder Neglect?  Elder neglect falls under the category of elder abuse as defined by the National Center on Elder Abuse. It occurs when a...

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How to Brighten the Holidays for Seniors

From our Care Blog

The holiday season is in full swing. We know that many celebrations – and possibly some long-standing traditions - may look different this year. But that doesn’t mean all festivities have to stop. If you are a family caregiver, here are some things you can do to help brighten the holidays for seniors this year. Help them get into the holiday spirit While the holidays can be a time of joy and celebration, they can also be somewhat difficult for the elderly as they often experience loneliness and isolation.  Deck the halls with some of their beloved holiday decorations such...

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How to Balance Work with Caring for an Elderly Parent

From our Care Blog

COVID-19 has turned our lives upside down. It has changed how and where we work and go to school. It has impacted household dynamics with a growing number of families managing multi-generational homes. And, it has made our elderly parents more dependent on us as stricter stay-at-home orders are placed on the most vulnerable. The pandemic is playing with our emotions. As demands increase, we are all feeling overwhelmed, stressed and worried that another shutdown will happen and further disrupt our lives. For many, the unknown has interrupted the balance between work, family, school and the care of our elderly...

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Keep Seniors Active During COVID-19

From our Care Blog

Caregiving during COVID-19 has been a challenge both for family caregivers and for their loved ones. Social isolation and loneliness have played a big part in these challenges as isolating during the pandemic has hit the elderly population especially hard. Isolation for those over the age of 60 has serious medical and psychological effects and can lead to depression, heart disease, anxiety and cognitive decline. Another factor that adds to these issues is chronic loneliness because more and more seniors live alone. But caregivers can keep seniors active and engaged during COVID-19 without putting them at risk: Cheer them up...

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COVID-19 Update

As we have for the last five years, FirstLight Home Care -- South Sound will continue to provide quality home care services to support families in our community. As we manage the impact of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 virus, the FirstLight team is actively taking the measures necessary to ensure the safety, health and well-being of our clients, our staff and their families. Our mission is to care for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems in our community, so we have always utilized infection control and Standard Precautions every day as standard operating procedures. In light of the COVID-19 virus,...

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How Coronavirus Could Affect Seniors

From our Care Blog

We have been closely following Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and reports from the CDC, the World Health Organization and other state and local entities, and our thoughts have undeniably been with all those affected. Recent news of the virus starting to spread in the U.S. is unsettling. While it's natural to worry and wonder what could happen if the spread of the virus gets worse, it's also important not to panic… but instead to be armed with helpful information from the experts. Of course, we at FirstLight Home Care are deeply committed to the health, safety and well-being of all our clients,...

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Natural Disasters: Preparing for the Unexpected

From our Care Blog

"One person caring about another represents life's greatest value." - Jim Rohn While we can’t always predict or avert weather emergencies or natural disasters, we can try to prepare for them as much as possible so that we are always ready. Unexpected emergencies involving seniors can be even more challenging as many older adults have mobility issues, chronic health conditions, or they may not have family or friends nearby to assist them. We were quite inspired when we learned about the above-and-beyond measures one of our FirstLight franchise owners took during the recent hurricanes. When the massive storms blew through...

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The Many Benefits of a Senior Travel Companion

The busy travel season will soon be upon us with spring and summer vacations, graduations, weddings and family reunions. Many aging seniors want to attend these special events, but for some, travel can be tricky – whether it’s because of mobility issues or just the anxiety that comes with making a long-distance trip. Additionally, if you are the adult daughter or son caring for your aging parent, you may feel a bit uneasy about them making the trip alone. At FirstLight Home Care we completely understand. Traveling can be hectic and stressful at any age, but for senior travelers especially,...

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Spring Maintenance for Your Aging Loved One

As the weather warms and things begin to thaw, many of us also have a general routine of spring maintenance. For aging seniors, some of these routine tasks around the home can be difficult to take on, especially if they have mobility issues. There are several ways you can assist your senior to help get their home ready for spring and ensure a safe, secure environment inside and out. Here are 5 specific ways you can help your senior loved one with spring maintenance: Inspect the medicine cabinet. This is a good time to go through your loved one’s medicine...

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