Thriving
at Home Column

What Being ‘The Best’ Means to Us

Thriving at Home (April 2016) by Sarah Lane When my husband, Greg, and I told our friends and family we had decided to open FirstLight Home Care – South Sound, they kept asking us the same question – “What’s your plan?” We heard it over and over again.  And since neither of us had ever started a business before, it was a genuine sincere inquiry.  But we didn’t decide to start a local home care agency on a whim. Both of us had experience in successful organizations, I had worked previously placing caregivers in the homes of seniors and Greg...

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What Makes FirstLight Caregivers Different?

Thriving at Home (March 2016) by Sarah Lane It is the question most often asked of me by potential clients: What makes FirstLight caregivers better than other home care agencies? The answer is both simple and challenging. Since my husband, Greg, and I opened FirstLight Home Care here in Olympia, our hometown, our objective from the beginning has been simple – hire only the very best caregivers to care for our clients.  We understand the challenges families face when searching for care for their loved ones.  We know, for your peace of mind, it’s essential to find a care partner...

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Aiding Your Post-Surgical Recovery at Home

by Sarah Lane Two years ago, my husband had surgery to repair an abdominal injury. These days, most elective procedures, as well as many medically necessitated ones, are either done as out-patient procedures or patients are sent home after very short hospital stays. Following his surgery, there was no way my husband could take care of himself after returning home. For nearly a week, he was confined to bed and needed assistance with all basic needs. Preparing food, changing clothes, showering, physical therapy – he simply could not have done any of these activities on his own. Fortunately for us,...

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A Valuable Resource for Family Caregivers

Thriving at Home (January 2016) by Sarah Lane The challenge of “family caregiving” – providing care for a spouse, parent, child or friend with a chronic, disabling or serious health condition – is becoming nearly universal.  A report issued last year by the Public Policy Institute of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) estimated that there are now 40 million family caregivers in the United States who provide 37 billion hours of care to aging loved ones with limitations in daily activities. Being a family caregiver for a loved one takes time, effort and work, and is both rewarding and...

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Some Holiday Gift Ideas for Loved Ones with Dementia

Thriving at Home (December 2015) by Sarah Lane Shopping for holiday gifts for friends or family members suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia can be tricky. You may be unsure about what they enjoy or what they’re capable of doing. When choosing a gift, think about their personality, their hobbies, their abilities and their favorite pastimes. As someone trained to care for those with dementia, here are a few gift suggestions I know work well: A family calendar. Give your loved one a personalized calendar that includes pictures your family — grandchildren, children, nieces, nephews, cousins, anyone who is close...

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Honoring Family Caregivers

Thriving at Home (November 2015) by Sarah Lane According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 34 million family caregivers in the United States provide care to an adult who is aging or has a disability.  That’s 21% of all U.S. households that are impacted by family caregiving responsibilities. Caring for a loved one can be a very rewarding experience.  The vast majority of family caregivers want to be there when a loved one needs them.  At the same time, caring for a family member can take an emotional, physical and financial toll on caregivers and their...

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The Benefits of In-Home Care

Thriving at Home (October 2015) by Sarah Lane When agencies providing in-home care services, such as FirstLight Home Care, were introduced into the nation’s health care system, it was to ensure senior citizens had access to basic care within the comfort and privacy of their homes. If you have a parent or aging family member who needs extra assistance to remain living independently, you may be wondering how home care compares with the option of moving your loved one into a senior facility.  In other words, what are the primary benefits of home care? Staying at home. A recent study by...

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8 Clues Your Parents Need Help at Home

Thriving at Home by Sarah Lane For some, the decline is slow in coming. For others, change seems to occur quickly. Either way, nearly every family eventually has to address a complicated and sensitive situation: An aging parent or relative who needs help to safely remain living at home. So how can you know when an aging family member begins needing and in home caregiver for assistance with the daily activities of life? Your loved one is not likely to tell you. Older adults will often go to great lengths to maintain the appearance of normalcy and self-sufficiency. And things might even seem...

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Accepting Assistance is the Key to Remaining Independent

Thriving at Home (August 2015) by Sarah Lane Remaining independent doesn’t mean you have to be self-sufficient and do everything yourself. Knowing your limitations and when to ask for help is often the key to prevent injury and retain your quality of life as one ages. Repeated surveys show seniors prefer to remain at home and age in place. Most people prefer to live in their own Olympia home and community where they can live by their own rules, stay near to their friends and remain in a place that is familiar. To remain at home, many adults need only a small...

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Want to Slow the Aging Process? Try Yoga!

Thriving at Home (July 2015) by Sarah Lane Many health experts say Yoga slows the aging process. Here are four reasons why you should consider practicing yoga now and continue to do so for proper senior care as you age: Balance. The primary component of many yoga poses is balance. The ability to balance involves both your body and brain. By incorporating yoga into your weekly exercise schedule you can improve your balance and reduce your chance of falling. One out of every two women and one out of every four men over 50 will suffer a fracture related to a fall....

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