End
of Life

When Age and Illness Ruin Travel Plans

[caption id="attachment_616" align="alignnone" width="225"] Gram and Pa back in their traveling days[/caption] My grandparents in Maine gave up their annual trip to Florida about 10 years ago. Air travel from their island isn’t easy for even the most able-bodied travelers (the small airport is two hours away and a flight to Florida usually involves several layovers and a 12-hour travel day), so when my grandparents’ health started failing several years ago, they decided to give up flying. My grandmother seems to have accepted the end of her traveling days, but my grandfather still laments the loss of his trip south...

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Choosing Hospice for a Better Life

My husband, Steve, still talks about his mother’s experience with hospice before she passed away—how much she and his family loved the care they provided but hated what the word hospice stood for: The end is near. There is no hope. Death is inevitable. To many people, the word “hospice” is synonymous with “death,” which is why so many people are reluctant to use hospice services. I used to associate hospice with death, too, until I saw their services in action. One client’s daughter told us recently how hospice took over her job as primary caregiver for her mother during...

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Alcohol and Aging Don’t Always Mix

[caption id="attachment_545" align="alignnone" width="225"] Even "responsible drinking" can be dangerous as we age.[/caption] You don’t hear much about alcohol abuse in seniors. Not because it doesn’t exist but because most of us don’t want to talk about it publically or because we don’t see the abuse. Alcohol was a major factor in the last years of my father-in-law’s life. He was lonely, depressed, and in pain, and a glass of wine or an evening cocktail was often the one part of the day he truly enjoyed. Unfortunately, he was also on a bunch of medications and unsteady on his feet,...

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Preparing to Die a Good Death

If you’re not someone who worries about death, I envy you. I am a death worrier. Pretty much always, I’ve worried about the end of life—either my own or someone else’s. I’ve had moments (usually in the car with a sad song playing) where I’ve thought so much about the eventual death of a currently living loved one that I’ve cried real tears. With time, age, and experience working in home care, my fear of dying a sudden, unexpected death is slowly being replaced by the fear I’ll die an extended, drawn-out one. Anyone who has experienced a long death...

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Home Health Care Versus Nursing Home Care: Pros and Cons

From our Care Blog

Many of our aging parents want to live on their own. According to AARP, more than 95% of seniors want to stay in their home as long as possible, even if they need help with day-to-day activities. After all, home is comfortable and familiar and they are surrounded by memories and circumstances that make them feel safe. There is no magical age when a senior may need help. There are many 90-year-olds who live at home and need very little help. On the other hand, there are 60 and 70-year olds who find their ability to live independently waning. It’s...

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Hospice Care Doesn't Mean End of Life

From our Care Blog

It used to be that the term “hospice care” meant you were terminally ill and dying. It was a frightening word whispered under your breath so your parent or loved one didn’t think it was their end-of-life and give up. At FirstLight Home Care, we have provided hospice care for people who recover and rehabilitate and resume their normal lives. Basically hospice care can mean that dying is a possibility versus a guaranteed reality. Patients can go in and out of hospice care as needed. What Is Hospice Care? Hospice is indeed for those who have a limited life expectancy...

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