Senior
Health & Wellness

Caregiving Does Not Discriminate

From our Care Blog

I'm happy to introduce another guest blogger this week. Cindy Laverty is a nationally recognized caregiving expert who has dedicated her life to empowering caregivers. Today, she discusses her personal experiences as a family caregiver. Caregiving does not discriminate and caregiving usually happens when we least expect it. If not managed in an organized way from the beginning, it has the potential to rock and wrack your world. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. I know this to be true, because it happened to me. Several years ago, I was one of those people literally...

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GO RED for American Heart Month

From our Care Blog

February is not only the month of love and affection but also American Heart Month with today being National Wear Red Day. The purpose is to create awareness for and fight against heart disease, which is the number one killer of women. Did you know that more women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined? As alarming as the statistics and numbers are, it proves that it is essential for women and men to take proper care of themselves and actively try to live a healthy lifestyle. The American Heart Association offers great advice on its website...

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How far would you go to help someone in need?

From our Care Blog

A touching story hit the media this week about a 101-year old woman in Detroit who was evicted from her home by a HUD foreclosure in September. Sadly, the elderly woman, Texana Hollis, was left outside in her wheelchair with her few belongings in a trash receptacle. Hollis has since been living with a long-time friend but news of the eviction travelled quickly. Concerned community members have started a fund for her and donations are pouring in. A contracting company is even building a wheelchair ramp for Hollis where she is currently staying. Unfortunately, Hollis’ scenario happens all too often...

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Happy New Year and welcome to 2012!

From our Care Blog

Happy New Year! It’s amazing that we’re already through the first week of 2012. Good news to share as we kick off the New Year: Tammy Iuso, recent Franchisee of the Year and owner of FirstLight in Orlando has earned Joint Commission Accreditation. This is quite an accomplishment in the home care industry and Orlando is our first location to earn this accreditation. The Joint Commission is an independent, non-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. This is widely recognized as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s...

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Preparing Your Parents For the Flu Season

From our Care Blog

Preparing for the flu season is vital to the health of your aging parents.  It’s no secret that the elderly are more susceptible to catching the flu virus, so each year it is important to take the proper precautions to keep your parents healthy.  This year, the flu season has started early and appears to be strong, according to the CDC. In order to keep your parents healthy this year, make sure you take the following precautions. Get Vaccinated The first step to prepare for the upcoming flu season is to get your parents vaccinated.  Vaccination is one of the most...

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Fighting holiday stress – a caregiver’s guide

From our Care Blog

We all know the feeling; the anxiety that creeps around in November and builds up as the year end approaches. If you’re a family caregiver, you know this stress all too well. Holiday parties, events, shopping and vacation planning are all top of mind for many people but for family caregivers, the added stress of making sure elderly friends and family are provided for can compound and intensify these feelings. It’s a well known fact that caregiver stress, if not managed, takes a heavy toll on a person’s mental and physical health. Added to the stress that naturally arises around...

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Holiday Blessings – Health of Our Loved Ones

From our Care Blog

Holidays throughout the year are filled with excitement and joy. Most families look forward to holiday seasons as a time to gather family together, celebrate and look forward to another year. The holidays bring a time for thankfulness, tradition, reflection and hope. Traditions bring fond memories; although for families experiencing issues that come with aging family members such as complex medical conditions or dementia the holidays may mean rising concerns with new challenges. Many of us who live a long distance from parents and are in the "sandwich generation" are at an age where we may still be working, have...

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Defining your resources in a crisis

From our Care Blog

Guest blogger Joni Aldrich addresses the importance of being able to ask for help when you need it. Here are her tips on how to ask for and accept help and on how to identify who is best for each situation.   As you go through any type of life crisis, you may need support from people who care. As you seek help, consider it a delegation process—not a burden. Many of us are too proud to ask for help from others, even if we realize that people care and want to offer support. Get past that, and accept help...

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Jump into fall

From our Care Blog

The past week has proven to be a great start to the fall season. Warm temps, sunshine and changing leaves across most of the country create the perfect opportunity for people to get outdoors and get moving! While many of us have no trouble being active in the great outdoors, seniors often pass up the chance to get fresh air due to mobility issues or lack of companionship. If you’re able, set aside a few days this fall season for the elderly loved ones in your life and make an effort to help them enjoy one of the more simple...

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FirstLight in the news! Gina Kaurich shares her tips on hiring a caregiver

From our Care Blog

Anyone who has had to find an in-home caregiver for an aging parent or relative can attest to the difficulty in finding someone trustworthy, qualified and responsible enough to provide care for a loved one. Gina Kaurich, FirstLight Home Care’s executive director of client care services, was recently interviewed by FamilyGoesStrong.com about things to consider when looking for a caregiver. One of Gina’s suggestions was to try a “share-care” with other family members. This is what she and her in-laws did with her mother-in-law Martha who suffers from Alzheimer’s. According to Gina, you should ask yourself how much time you’re...

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