Understanding
Senior Care

Coping With The Loss Of A Parent

From our Care Blog

Losing a parent is a traumatic experience and hiding under your blankets may sound like the best idea for you…or simply wish that it all went away.  However, we all know that this may work short-term, but it is important to have long-term plans on how to cope with the loss of a parent.  The most important thing to remember is that everyone grieves differently.  You can find a million and one ways to cope and grieve but it is important to find coping skills that work for you.  Also, be aware that your coping skills may be different than other...

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How to be the Best Long-Distance Caregiver

From our Care Blog

Caring for loved ones from far away isn’t always an easy task. Many times, they need stay-at-home care that can’t be given from miles away. Sometimes you can feel helpless not being able to provide personal home care for those in your life who need it the most. Know that these feelings are valid, and you are not alone. In fact, there are about 7 million Americans providing long-distance home care to their loved ones. Like you, they are in charge of arranging doctor appointments, coordinating all the healthcare and insurance, working full time and taking care of their own families....

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Knowing Your Parent's Last Wishes

From our Care Blog

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 – the better. A study by the Hartford insurance company revealed that seniors are much more comfortable discussing estate planning than their boomer kids are! The study also revealed that 70-something year-old parents are more financially savvy when it comes to protecting their children and grandkids financially than boomers realize. They’re also more open...

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How to Reduce Your Stress Over the Holiday Season

From our Care Blog

We all look forward to Christmas, right?  It is a day of relaxing, possibly watching the annual Christmas parade and/or football, eating too much yummy food, being thankful for all that we have and being surrounded by family and friends. Well, that’s how it’s supposed to be in a perfect world. But, we all know that holidays aren’t perfect and neither are our families. Unfortunately, there can be a lot stress that comes with the holidays too.  For one, traveling (whether it’s by car or plane) can be taxing on one’s patience, especially if there are kids involved.  And, as much...

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2012 Best Holiday Gifts For Seniors

From our Care Blog

It’s that time of year again when I rack my brain for what to get my parents and loved ones for the holidays. If I ask them what they want. I get the standard reply: “nothing, I have everything I want”. So I decided to do some research on the Internet to find out what’s hot, what’s new, and some standard tried and trues. I knew that I wanted a gift that would keep them engaged and active. Definitely no dust collectors as our family home is chock full of doo dads and mementos! Wii. Who said video games are...

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Home Care For the Holidays

From our Care Blog

When we talk about home care at FirstLight Homecare, we are usually referring to our home healthcare services. However, as the holidays are upon us, I began to think of the other “home care” services I could get my parents for the holidays. Every year I wrestle over what to get my parents. They are in their late 70s and have virtually everything they want. They live in the same home I grew up in and if I even mention the word “upgrade” or “remodel”, they shush me. My Mom likes her well-worn furniture, because it is comfortable. And that’s...

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The Sandwich Generation...The New Normal?

From our Care Blog

Have you heard of the term “The Sandwich Generation?”  Well, if you haven’t up until now, then you’ll probably start to hear it more and more.  Heck, you might even be a member of The Sandwich Generation and you don’t even know it. It’s a term that I find extremely accurate and descriptive once you understand the context of which it’s used.  So what exactly does it mean? The Sandwich Generation is a generation of people who care for their agingparents while supporting their own children. Dorothy A. Miller coined the term “sandwich generation” back in 1981, and Carol Abaya has...

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Fun Things To Do for Labor Day

From our Care Blog

So, it’s almost here.  The official end of summer is marked by the long Labor Day weekend.  What exactly are we celebrating on Labor Day?  The name seems to be pretty self-descriptive, but often times it’s easy to not really think about what the holiday is really about.  Let’s be honest, most of us are just grateful for a day off of work. According to Wikipedia, Labor Day is an American federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.  Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American...

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Seniors Go Back to School Too!

From our Care Blog

Guest Blogger: Julie Grannan August can be a bittersweet month, especially when you are a kid.  The summer is coming to an end, the local pool has closed up even before Labor Day weekend hits, and it’s back to school time.  But wait…back to school time for many kids is such an exciting time!  As Italked to my sister the other day about my nieces heading back to school this week, I vividly remember going to orientation day in grade school with my mom and siblings.  This was the day where you ran as fast as you could to view...

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How to Keep Loved Ones Safe in a Heatwave

From our Care Blog

Temperatures topped 100 degrees in many places across the country this week. In extreme heat, especially with high humidity, safety for our seniors is very important. At FirstLight Home Care, our mission is to keep seniors safe, healthy and happy in any conditions. Extreme heat can lead to heat stroke, heat rash or heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include feeling tired or confused, headaches, dry skin (no perspiration), a rapid pulse or feeling nauseous or dizzy. If you or a loved one have any of these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Stay in air conditioned areas....

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