Alzheimer’s and
Memory Loss

Always Be Prepared: What To Do When A Natural Disaster Strikes

From our Care Blog

Did you know that September is National Preparedness Month? Being prepared for any type of emergency or natural disaster is important for everyone, but is especially important for seniors. Because each senior’s needs are different, it is essential that each individual have a unique emergency plan that fits all of your needs. If an emergency or disaster occurred today, would you be ready? So, how can you prepare your loved one for an emergency? 1. Make an emergency kit This kit should contain basic essentials like food, water, a flashlight, a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a first aid...

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Helping Seniors De-Clutter

From our Care Blog

Moving is hard under the best of circumstances. Moving your aging parents to an assisted living facility or retirement home takes on a whole new level of stress, because what you call “junk” are their prized possessions! Even downsizing to a smaller home can be traumatic. After living in one home for a long time, your senior parents have cupboards, closets and storage spaces overflowing. It can even look like a bad episode of Hoarders. Most of the heavy lifting and packing will fall to you unless you hire a small move specialist. The hardest part of the move is...

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TSA Rules for Seniors: Getting Through Security

From our Care Blog

Ensure a smooth, stress-free screening process by following these TSA rules for seniors with the help of a travel companion.

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Top Trends in Elderly Care That Nurse Gina is Watching

From our Care Blog

According to the US Census Bureau, by the year 2050, approximately 20.7% of the population will be 65 years or older.  This is an incredible growth in the aging population of the US, especially when compared to 2000 when the population of people 65 and older was only 12.4%.  As we enter an age with the highest number of retirees ever, the demand for aging care is greater than ever.  Improvements in home care, health care, and technology will play a vital role in improving the lives of seniors, but with these advances arises concerns as well.  A down economy and lack of financial...

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FirstLight Home Care Takes Care of Dads – Even If They Are Cranky!

From our Care Blog

My Dad is cranky. Okay, if I’m going to tell the truth, he has moments where he is downright mean. He gets easily agitated and has times of lucidity coupled with flashes where he doesn’t even know my name. It is frustrating, heartbreaking and exhausting, not only for myself – the adult daughter -- but my whole family as well. But it must be worse for him. Thirteen years ago, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and it turned his life and our lives upside down. Six years ago, right before my Mom died, I promised her I would never put...

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Care Giving Tips For An Only Child

From our Care Blog

If you are an only child caring for elderly parents, you know it can be a handful.  In this case. you may feel the stresses of care giving are all on you. It may even start to define your livelihood.  As much as you love your parents and know they deserve the best care possible, it is okay, and will be better for all, if you continue to have a life too and feel comfortable delegating others to help.  Here are a few tips to consider. Don’t be afraid to ask other relatives for help. Many times, other family members and friends are ready...

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Senior Citizen Scams

From our Care Blog

No one is immune to scams, but it seems the elderly are particularly targeted. My Dad  was a very savvy 75-year-old accountant. His mind was extremely sharp before he passed away, but his financial judgments were slightly slipping. He was extremely charitable, donating to many causes – he was always taken in by sad stories. Therefore, I was not surprised when he told me he had “adopted a family” in Nigeria. Every month he sent them a set amount, but then the disasters started and they needed more money for hospital and medical bills. How could he not help a...

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How to Manage the Stress of Aging Parents with Ease

From our Care Blog

Feeling overwhelmed by your caregiving duties? FirstLight provides tips to help you navigate the stress of aging parents.

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Five Tips To Effectively Communicate With Seniors

From our Care Blog

In his book How to Say It to Seniors, author David Solie, who specializes in geriatric issues, describes the developmental tasks that the elderly face, and explains how these “tasks shape their behavior -- whether they're aware of it or not”. Solie describes the “crises of the elderly as a conflict between control and legacy issues. And while he writes in universal terms, it's important to remember that every individual is different, and each person's experience of aging will have a lot to do with personal and environmental factors, as well as developmental ones.” While communication is extremely important with your parents, it can also...

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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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