Firstlight Resources

Cardiovascular Disease: Who is at Risk?

From our Care Blog

February is American Heart Month, an ideal time to commit to making small changes that can lead to a lifetime of heart health. Know your cardiovascular disease risk. Cardiovascular disease (also known as heart disease) remains the leading global cause of death for men and women, with more than 17.3 million deaths each year. That number is expected to rise to more than 23 million by 2030. There are several types of cardiovascular disease, including: Heart failure: sometimes called congestive heart failure, this means the heart isn't pumping blood as well as it should. Arrhythmia: an abnormal rhythm of the...

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Understanding the Aid & Attendance Benefit for Veterans

From our Care Blog

Are you a military veteran in need of home care? The Aid & Attendance benefit may help reduce the cost of care. Many military veterans and their family are unaware of the Aid & Attendance benefits program for which they could be eligible. The Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension is a little-known existing benefit which helps reduce the cost of care for older veterans and their surviving spouses. Aid & Attendance is available to eligible veterans and spouses who require home care – including assistance with eating, bathing, and medication reminders – even if the assistance is not a direct...

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What is Glaucoma? Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

From our Care Blog

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye. That extra fluid increases eye pressure, damaging the optic nerve. It also can result in partial to complete loss of vision. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. It can occur at any age but is more common in older adults. The two most common types of glaucoma are primary open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Symptoms of Glaucoma Most people with this disease have no early warning signs, and often no...

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Healthy Eating for Seniors: 6 Ways to Eat Well as You Age

From our Care Blog

Healthy eating for seniors is an important part of their overall health and well-being. Eating a well-balanced diet is critical as they age. Proper nutrition provides the necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, and it can help maintain a healthy weight. Eating right can also lower the risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. Also keep in mind that as your parent, grandparent or other senior loved one gets older, their nutritional needs, diet and appetite may change. For example, they may need fewer calories because of a slower metabolism. They may experience a loss...

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Eye Care: 5 Healthy Habits for Aging Eyes

From our Care Blog

A look at some common age-related eye health problems and several healthy eye care tips that can help protect your vision as you age. Changes in vision can occur in your later years. As you reach the age of 60 and beyond, you can develop eye diseases and age-related eye health problems that could lead to vision loss. Sometimes these diseases present no symptoms and you may not even realize that you are experiencing changes in your vision until it’s too late. By getting regular eye exams and maintaining healthy habits for aging eyes, you have a better chance of...

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Alzheimer's Disease Early Warning Signs

From our Care Blog

Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be an Alzheimer's disease early warning sign or a symptom of another dementia. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. The disease is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. There are 10 Alzheimer's disease early warning signs and symptoms that should not be ignored. People experiencing any one of these should see a healthcare professional. This previous post [Know the 10 Signs of Alzheimer's: Early Detection Matters], one of the most-read posts...

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Family Caregivers Need Vacations Too

From our Care Blog

We talk about it all the time – the tremendous responsibilities that fall on family caregivers. Caring for an elderly parent can be emotionally and physically draining. And for primary caregivers, it is often a 24/7, 365-day-a-year job. Taking any kind of break – let alone a planned vacation – seems impossible. Then when you begin to think about all the planning and preparation that is involved, you wonder if it’s even worth doing. The thought of taking time off from your caregiving duties also brings much worry. What if Mom falls? What if she forgets to take her medication?...

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New Law Involves Caregivers of Veterans During Transition Out of Military

From our Care Blog

FirstLight Home Care recently learned of news regarding the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018 and additional assistance for veterans and caregivers of veterans. The following information was published on ConnectingVets.com: Thanks to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018, service members who are transitioning out of the military will have more assistance for them and their caregivers. Currently, caregivers of veterans are not involved when veterans are going through pre-counseling to learn about their VA benefits. The new law encourages the DoD and VA to work together to better integrate caregivers into the conversation around veteran’s and caregiver’s resources...

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Caring for Your Lonely Parent

From our Care Blog

Do you have a lonely parent who is struggling with feelings of isolation or depression? Are you having a hard time getting them to leave the house and enjoy social activities? With age comes an increased risk of loneliness and social isolation. And it can be even more prevalent in seniors who either cannot or do not want to leave their homes. This can be problematic for seniors because loneliness can often result in depression and ultimately additional health problems. Several factors may be keeping your lonely parent somewhat secluded and feeling down: They are no longer able to drive,...

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How to Help Seniors Enjoy the Holidays

From our Care Blog

There are simple ways you can support an aging loved one you know and help seniors enjoy the holidays a little more this year. For most, the holidays bring feelings of joy, anticipation and excitement. Spending time with friends and family, attending holiday gatherings and exchanging gifts all symbolize the season of goodwill. However, not all people experience happiness during the holiday season. Close to 12 million seniors live alone. And many often struggle with grief over the loss of a loved one, sadness, confusion and isolation, especially if they don’t have family close by. This can bring on the...

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