FirstLight
Care Blog
Dedicated to helping seniors and others maintain their independence
When your elderly parents or loved one needs senior care, they will often tell you that they would prefer to receive care in the comfort of their own home. At first, the in-home care services they need could be non-medical, such as light housekeeping, food preparation, companion, or personal care. As they...
The $41 Billion Problem with Hospital Readmissions
Before the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), hospitals were not penalized for patient readmission within the first 30 days of a discharge. This led to the American healthcare system spending $41.3 billion dollars in just 11 months to treat readmitted individuals. Today, even with the ACA’s readmission penalty,...
Learn More about The $41 Billion Problem with Hospital Readmissions
Family Finances: Coping With the Costs of Dementia
Money Magazine just released an article in a series of stories written by Donna Rosato on Coping with the Aging’s Costliest Challenge: The Costs of Dementia. If you have a family member living with dementia or Alzheimer’s and you’re caring for them, you know first-hand the financial challenges this uniquely...
Learn More about Family Finances: Coping With the Costs of Dementia
What Is The Aid & Attendance Program?
Is your parent a Veteran in need of home care? Great news, the Aid and Attendance Program is an improved pension benefit offered by the Veterans Administration that can help pay for home care services. This relatively unknown program is available for Veterans and their spouses who require regular attendance...
There comes a time in our lives when we must address the possibility of our parents needing home care. However, many people are concerned that with their limited budget they cannot afford to pay for it out-of-pocket. This is a difficult reality that most families will have to face, but home care...
Many of us are caregivers – for our parents, brothers or sisters, or other relatives – and don’t even think about the financial demands it places on us. Maybe you are a caregiver who provides “hands on” care right now, but may be called upon to provide financial assistance for...
Knowing Your Parent’s Last Wishes
Talking with your parents about their last wishes can be a touchy subject. Chances are, it’s harder on you than them! It’s a subject that can’t be avoided, however, because there are some very important financial and emotional implications. The more you plan ahead — before someone is in a hospital bed or incapacitated...
Hospitals need to revamp to cater to aging population
According to a recent article on USA Today’s website, an astonishing one-third of hospital patients older than 70 leave more frail than when they arrived. Further research shows that even after they are released, nursing home care or rehabilitation can be necessary. The elder care experts quoted in the article...
Learn More about Hospitals need to revamp to cater to aging population
Do caregivers deserve overtime? We think so.
Many people, including the elderly, caregivers and home care agencies, are wondering how the Dept. of Labor’s proposed changes to the companionship and live-in worker regulations will affect the in-home care industry. In 1974, these regulations originally created a limited exemption from both minimum wage and overtime pay requirements to...
Learn More about Do caregivers deserve overtime? We think so.
New Year shows signs of recovery for franchises
A recent report by IHS Global Insight for the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation predicts modest growth for franchise businesses in 2012, in areas such as number of establishments, employment, output and contributions to U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). This comes after three years of restrained growth due to the...
Learn More about New Year shows signs of recovery for franchises
- Alzheimer's & Dementia Care
- Caregiving
- Companion Care
- Health & Wellness
- In-home care
- Personal Care
- Senior Care
- Veteran Care