Elderly Care and Home Care Blog: Caregiver Help

Ways to Help Elderly Adults Stay Happy at Home

December 10, 2020

As the pandemic’s end remains uncertain, most senior citizens are being forced to stay at home and limit contact with others to protect their health and safety. While it is certainly in the best interest of their physical wellness, feeling locked indoors and away from their routine can significantly impact a senior’s mental and emotional health. Here are some tips to help elderly adults stay happy at home. Maintain a routine One of the most difficult aspects of having to stay indoors for many seniors is the change in routine and structure. Help them create a routine in their new…

How to Brighten the Holidays for Seniors

December 3, 2020

The holiday season is in full swing. We know that many celebrations – and possibly some long-standing traditions – may look different this year. But that doesn’t mean all festivities have to stop. If you are a family caregiver, here are some things you can do to help brighten the holidays for seniors this year. Help them get into the holiday spirit While the holidays can be a time of joy and celebration, they can also be somewhat difficult for the elderly as they often experience loneliness and isolation. 🎄 Deck the halls with some of their beloved holiday decorations…

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM FIRSTLIGHT HOME CARE

November 26, 2020

Traditional Thanksgiving Day gatherings will look different this year, but it does not mean we can’t celebrate the day by showing our thanks and gratitude to the people around us. When you stop and think about it, we do have a lot to be grateful for: We give thanks to the amazing doctors, nurses, and frontline personnel who have been working tirelessly to care for those with COVID-19. We give thanks to all the people who work in essential services. The men and women who continue to stock the shelves, deliver the mail, fill our prescriptions, pick up our trash,…

How to Balance Work with Caring for an Elderly Parent

November 19, 2020

COVID-19 has turned our lives upside down. It has changed how and where we work and go to school. It has impacted household dynamics with a growing number of families managing multi-generational homes. And, it has made our elderly parents more dependent on us as stricter stay-at-home orders are placed on the most vulnerable. The pandemic is playing with our emotions. As demands increase, we are all feeling overwhelmed, stressed and worried that another shutdown will happen and further disrupt our lives. For many, the unknown has interrupted the balance between work, family, school and the care of our elderly…

Home Care for Veterans and Their Families

November 12, 2020

Throughout the month of November especially, we reflect on all the men and women who have served honorably in the military. The sacrifices they have made allow our country to remain strong, safe and free. Serving in the military can often impact one’s health, both emotionally and physically. And for many veterans, young and old, disabling injuries may make it difficult to perform some of the basic activities we do every day – things that we often take for granted. These activities of daily living (ADLs) include things such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility and transferring, and more. Home…

Congratulations to Our Caregiver of the Year

November 5, 2020

We are excited to name Omaha resident Stephanie King as our national Caregiver of the Year. 👏 Stephanie, with FirstLight Home Care of Omaha, was virtually recognized for her extraordinary dedication, service and integrity last week during our national conference. The Caregiver of the Year award is typically presented in person at the conference’s annual gala. However, due to COVID-19, the event took place virtually this year. FirstLight has more than 5,000 caregivers nationwide, with Caregiver of the Year award nominations coming in from all over the country. Nominees were evaluated based on dependability, advocacy, empathy, quality of service and…

6 Ways to Celebrate Halloween with Your Elderly Parent

October 29, 2020

Are you looking for a spook-tacular way to safely celebrate Halloween with your elderly parent this weekend? FirstLight Home Care has these franken-tastic ideas to make this Halloween the best. Adorn festive pumpkins. Skip carving a pumpkin this year – the trend is to paint them. It’s not only safer, but there is less mess, and It is easier for everyone, regardless of age, to join the fun. Decorate the house. Set out your decorated pumpkins and add wreaths of fall foliage, spooky cobwebs, spooky figurines, bats, and spiders. Make it special, but also be sure it is safe for…

3 GREAT REASONS TO BECOME A CAREGIVER TODAY

October 22, 2020

“There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been a caregiver, those who are currently a caregiver, those who will be a caregiver and those who will need a caregiver. Caregiving is universal.”- Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady of the United States According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP Public Policy Institute, over 40 million Americans are providing care for an adult family member or friend. Additionally, the number of new career opportunities for care jobs will be over 1 million by 2028, which would grow the current care workforce by 46%….

HOW HOME CARE CAN HELP ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

October 15, 2020

Non-medical home care can be a lifeline for not just seniors but for younger adults who have disabilities, whether cognitive or physical. Any adult with cognitive decline, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, vision impairment, multiple sclerosis and more could benefit from in-home support. Disability care services that support family caregivers and care for loved ones with chronic or specialized conditions can help families face the challenges in their daily lives by providing Companion Care, Personal Care, and even Respite Care to offer the family caregiver a much-needed break to take care of themselves and their needs. Here are a few…

4 REASONS RESPITE CARE IS NECESSARY FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS

October 8, 2020

For the family caregiver, taking care of an elderly or chronically ill family member, or a loved one with a disability, is something that you do out of love, compassion and desire for a meaningful connection to the person you love. But caregiving is a demanding job. It can be all-consuming and exhausting as you try to navigate the healthcare system, manage appointments, advocate for the care receiver, and take care of their growing day-to-day needs…all while trying to do those same things for yourself and your family. Respite care, or temporary relief from your caregiving tasks, is critical. As…

FirstLight Care Blog

Dedicated to helping seniors and others maintain their independence