Understanding
Senior Care

Five Myths + Misconceptions of Parkinson’s Disease

From our Care Blog

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. There are many myths and misconceptions about Parkinson's Disease and FirstLIght Home Care is here to set things straight. During the month of April, our caregivers at FirstLight Home Care will share information through our social media channels about the disease. Conversations will include living with or caring for someone with Parkinson’s Disease and tips and resources to help you better understand this progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the United States. The first step in understanding Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is to recognize some of the many common misconceptions and myths that...

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Diabetes Alert Day is Coming: Are You at Risk?

From our Care Blog

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and one in four of them doesn’t even know it. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease and can be managed through diet, physical activity and appropriate use of insulin and oral medications to lower blood sugar levels. American Diabetes Association Alert Day® is next Tuesday, March 28. It’s observed to help sound the alarm about the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in American adults by asking people to take the "Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test." The Importance of Detection...

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Nutrition and Aging: Eating for a Healthy Body and Mind

From our Care Blog

FirstLight Home Care provides tips on nutrition and aging that support your loved one’s journey to a healthy lifestyle.

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Home Care: Enhancing the Lives of People with Developmental Disabilities

From our Care Blog

For an estimated 5 million people in communities across the United States, developmental disabilities are part of life. Their conditions – autism, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, to name a few – may impact physical capacity, language, learning or behavior, but not their spirit. When people with these different abilities are connected to the right opportunities and resources, they can live secure, fulfilling lives. March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. And the observance is an opportunity to explore how we can all do more to help our neighbors, friends and family members who have developmental disabilities live side-by-side with...

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Easy Heart-Healthy Recipes for Seniors With FirstLight

From our Care Blog

Find out more about tips, habits and easy heart-healthy recipes for seniors and beyond from FirstLight Home Care.

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The Home Care Decision: What to Look for In a Partner

From our Care Blog

For people who are aging in place, navigating the typical activities of daily living can be an ongoing challenge. Home care can be a lifeline.

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Random Acts of Kindness: Good for the World, and Good for Your Health

From our Care Blog

Next Week, February 12 to 18, is Random Acts of Kindness Week. And it's the perfect opportunity to shower some kindness on the people in your life -- or maybe even a total stranger. We've all heard stories about the person at the drive-thru who bought coffee for the stranger who was next in line. Simple deed, big reward. Everyone could use a little boost from time to time to raise their spirits. Those who need a little extra support – an elderly neighbor, an adult with a disability, a loved one recuperating from surgery – could find even the smallest...

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New Year’s Strategies for the Family Caregiver

From our Care Blog

By Beth Bourgault, Caregiver, FirstLight Home Care of Salem, Mass. FirstLight Home Care 2016 Caregiver of the Year Being a family caregiver is both a rewarding and challenging role. Becoming a primary source of care – when you used to be a daughter, son, sister, brother, wife, husband, friend – can be overwhelming. And it can place a strain on your most valued relationships. As a FirstLight caregiver, I work with many clients who are fortunate to have a loved one also providing support and participating in their care. While each situation is different, many of the challenges are the...

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Working Family Caregivers: Managing a Delicate Balance

From our Care Blog

The challenges of the family caregiver are gaining more visibility. But there's one part of the family caregiving story that still needs much more attention: the struggles of the family caregiver who's also maintaining a job. New data is giving us a clearer picture of the impact of caregiving on work-life balance, as well as employee productivity and performance. Let’s review that data, and explore opportunities for family caregivers to get more support during their 9-to-5. Working family caregivers are in good company. An estimated one-fifth of today’s working Americans are also family caregivers, which means they are, in essence,...

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Give Your Loved Ones the Gift of Memories This Holiday

From our Care Blog

One of the joys of aging is sharing stories. For many older adults, stories are a connection to the past and evidence of a life well-lived. And for the families of these historians, stories are a way to preserve memories for years – and generations – to come. With so many family activities during the holidays, it’s an ideal time to capture these treasured stories. But when it comes to building this type of family history, where do you begin? Following are some simple steps you can take to plan, capture and archive treasured stories from the older adults in...

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