Senior
Health & Wellness

Aging: Live Well & Happy

From our Care Blog

There’s no avoiding it. We’re all getting older. That doesn’t mean we have to feel like we’re getting older. There are many things you can do to impact the process of aging so that you will age well and be happy. Here are a few of our favorites. Keep Your Cool. It is said that some levels of stress can be good for us. “If you never have to react to anything demanding, the mechanisms in your brain that help you deal with taxing situations will atrophy,” says Luigi Ferrucci, MD, PhD., scientific director of the National Institute on Aging....

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Family: Traveling with your Aging Parents

From our Care Blog

Summer travel is in full swing. If you are like any families across the United States, your traveling and your trip mate might include traveling with a senior. They may not be as mobile without a wheelchair, or they may have a specific health condition such as Alzheimer’s disease or heart problems that may require you take the lead, not only as the tour guide, but as the caregiver. This may make your vacation much more complex, regardless of whether you’re traveling by plane, cruise ship or your own family car. We spoke with Nurse Gina and she put together...

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Prostate Cancer Questions To Ask Your Doctor

From our Care Blog

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. For many men talking about their prostate and/or prostate cancer can be an uncomfortable discussion - but necessary. If you are going to have your annual health check-up, we suggest you use this time to talk to your doctor and learn more about prostate cancer. What questions should you ask? Here are some basic prostate questions to ask your doctor or nurse. Am I at risk for prostate cancer? Are there things I can do to lower my risk for prostate cancer? What are the benefits and harms (risks) of prostate cancer screening and treatment?...

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September is Healthy Aging Month

From our Care Blog

[caption id="attachment_2174" align="alignright" width="300"] September is Healthy Aging Month[/caption] Aging is a process that brings many changes. No matter what your age, it's never too late to take steps to improve your health. Car­olyn Wor­thing­ton, editor-in-chief of Healthy Aging® Mag­a­zine and exec­u­tive direc­tor of Healthy Aging®,  is the cre­ator of Sep­tem­ber is Healthy Aging® Month, an annual health obser­vance designed to focus national atten­tion on the pos­i­tive aspects of grow­ing older. Here are some great tips that you can apply to your life during the month of September (and beyond to help you live a healthier life as you grow older). Be pos­i­tive in...

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Is It Normal to Have Aches and Pains at 60?

From our Care Blog

Is it normal to have aches and pains at 60? Learn what is common, what is cause for concern and how FirstLight Home Care professionals can help.

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Health: Teeth & Aging

From our Care Blog

Did you know that your teeth age? As we age, so do our mouths. Even if you take excellent care of them, your teeth, gums and jawbone will change as you get older. The medicines we take can negatively impact your oral health which is why our Nurse Gina recommends you visit your dentist two times a year for cleaning and X-rays. Prevention is the key! As we grow older, the changes going on inside our mouth could include: Tooth Changes: Chewing, grinding and normal life will cause your teeth to wear down over time. People who clench or grind...

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Health: Tips to Stay Cool during a Heat Wave

From our Care Blog

It’s August and that means it’s hot outside. Heat waves are hitting the U.S. hard and temperatures are soaring. For many people – especially our senior population - they do not have air conditioning. If you know someone in your neighborhood who does not have air conditioning and is struggling to keep cool, here are some tips for surviving a heat wave that you can share with them. Purchase a fan. Box fans and ceiling fans can promote air circulation throughout the home. Opening doors in the house and using box fans to push hot air outdoors can function as...

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Health: Foot Care and the Right Pair of Shoes

From our Care Blog

Be kind to your feet. As we age, the years of wear and tear can be hard on them. Disease, bad circulation, poorly trimmed toenails, and wearing shoes that don't fit can also harm your feet. Nurse Gina has discussed many times within the FirstLight Home Care family that foot problems are sometimes the first sign of more serious medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and nerve or circulatory disorders. Her recommendations.... practice good foot care. The National Institute on Aging recommends that you look at your feet often; use a mirror to look at the bottoms of your feet....

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Lifestyle: How Being Optimistic Will Help You Live Longer

From our Care Blog

Is your glass half full or half empty? How you see your life could impact how long you live. Research from Health News has reported that the more optimistic you are the better it will help you live a longer, healthier life. The study shows that older people who described themselves as highly optimistic have a lower risk of heart disease or death from any cause over nearly 10 years compared with people who are very pessimistic. Researchers say depression has long been known to increase the risk of death due to heart disease, but less is known about the...

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Aging: 7 Ways to Stay Active with Arthritis

From our Care Blog

If you have arthritis, there may be days where you don’t feel like being active. But this just might make your arthritis pain feel worst and add to the pain problem. It is important to stay active with arthritis. Here are a few fun things we found on WebMD that you can do even with your arthritis: Start walking: walking keeps your joints flexible and your muscles strong. This low-impact, weight-bearing exercise is a good choice for people with arthritis. Carry your groceries: Make the most of your supermarket trip by carrying your groceries in the store and to your...

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