Understanding
Senior Care

What Is The Aid & Attendance Program?

From our Care Blog

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 to assist in their daily routines, including eating, bathing, dressing, undressing, and medication dosing, among others.  The Aid and Attendance Program can also be used to aid those who are blind or in assisted living facilities due to mental or physical incapacity.  Another benefit of this program is that it...

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Available Resources - Who Pays for Home Care Services?

From our Care Blog

Determining who pays for home care services can decide whether or not to hire in-home senior care. FirstLight Home Care has resources to help.

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Do You Need A Travel Companion?

From our Care Blog

Summer has finally arrived, and with it brings all the things we love about the season. Graduations, weddings, and trips to tropical paradises have filled our calendars waiting for the cold of winter to release its grasp and give way  to warmer weather.  It is a time of getting together with family and friends and celebrating each other’s company.  However, for many seniors who live across the country from their families, it can be stressful time as well. Everyone knows the stress that traveling entails; making your flight on time, getting through airport security, and remembering where you put your ticket. For...

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No One Can Take Of Your Mother Like You Do

From our Care Blog

But FirstLight Home Care comes very, very close. There is no doubt that as our mothers begin to age, it can be tough on sons, daughters and other family members to provide the level of care she needs. Whether you live close or far away, suddenly the roles are reversed and the dynamics of the parent-child relationship changes – in many cases, you take on the role of caretaker. You have to make sure your Mom is taking her medication and gets to doctor appointments. You may be responsible for meal preparation, financial arrangements, and household chores, the day-to-day activities that...

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Pairing Seniors and Teenagers

From our Care Blog

We all know that the teenage years can be tumultuous. We also know it can be prime time for trouble. So at FirstLight Home Care, we’d like to share with you some stories where teens can learn from senior citizens and vice versa. Maybe it will inspire you to start an intergenerational program in your area! Think about it. Many senior citizens have trouble with their mobile devices and computers. What better person to teach them than a teenager who is never far away from their favorite technological gadget? Teenagers can text faster than most of us can talk! Many...

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Helping Seniors Move

From our Care Blog

When my parents moved from a 6,000 square foot home in Florida to a two bedroom condo in Arizona, it was a nightmare. What I considered “junk” suddenly became a priceless memory. Although my parents were not hoarders, they had accumulated 20 years of “stuff”, various collections and enough photos to fill a museum. From my own experience, the #1 tip I can give you if you are moving your aging parents to a new location is patience. Whether the move is voluntary or involuntary, there are many emotions involved. Emotions are running high as they get very sentimental about...

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Health Concerns in Aging Parents

From our Care Blog

As your parents age, it is important they receive proper care, especially if there are health concerns. We all know this is easier said than done since many aging adults hate to admit their health is fading. However, there is nothing more dangerous than an elderly parent living on their own and unable to care for themselves. When visiting and speaking to your parent(s), make sure to look for tall-tale signs of health problems. Listed, are five obvious signs of distress that may require medical attention or assistance for your parent. Note, that there may be other signs not listed, so it is...

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10 Early Signs of Alzheimer's

From our Care Blog

Early diagnosis is extremely crucial with Alzheimer's.  The sooner you know you mayhave Alzheimer's the more time you have to take advantage of all the treatment opportunities available.  It also gives you and your family time to know and understand the disease and enables you to plan for the future.  With that said, the Alzheimer's Association is a wonderful resource to use when researching information about Alzheimer's, including the brain science behind it, doctors visits, as well as early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's. Below is the list of signs and symptoms to look for when addressing the possibility of...

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Finding the Best Foods for the Elderly

From our Care Blog

Learn how to find the best foods for the elderly people in your life.

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Are Your Aging Parents Behaving Badly?

From our Care Blog

There are many stresses that people deal with as caregivers for their aging parents, but few are as difficult to handle as aggressive and negative behavior.  At FirstLight HomeCare, we receive countless questions and concerns about what to do with an aging parent who is abusive and hard to control.  The problem that many people face is the difficulty in confronting their parents about these behaviors saying things like, “they are stuck in their ways” or “they will get defensive if I bring up their behavior.”  Although these concerns are valid, you can and should address your aging parents behavior since it is...

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