Firstlight Resources

Preparing Your Parents For the Flu Season

From our Care Blog

Preparing for the flu season is vital to the health of your aging parents.  It’s no secret that the elderly are more susceptible to catching the flu virus, so each year it is important to take the proper precautions to keep your parents healthy.  This year, the flu season has started early and appears to be strong, according to the CDC. In order to keep your parents healthy this year, make sure you take the following precautions. Get Vaccinated The first step to prepare for the upcoming flu season is to get your parents vaccinated.  Vaccination is one of the most...

Learn More about Preparing Your Parents For the Flu Season

FirstLight expands in New Jersey

From our Care Blog

We’re excited to introduce our newest franchisee, Eileen Appelblatt, to the Western Monmouth County communities in New Jersey. Eileen, along with her son Jeff, is looking forward to providing top-notch professional, home care services to local seniors and others in her area. Eileen spent over 30 years working as a client relationship manager at a New York brokerage firm before pursuing the home care industry. With her extensive experience working on a personal level with a variety of clients, we know she’ll excel in her new venture with FirstLight. This is our first location in the state and we're excited...

Learn More about FirstLight expands in New Jersey

Veteran’s Day and corduroy lovers

From our Care Blog

I read a peculiar story on The Wall Street Journal’s website this morning. Apparently, today is not only a day of honor and remembrance for the 24.9 million military veterans in the U.S., but it’s also a big day for corduroy lovers. Yes, the material. The ribbed textile lovers make up the 5,000 members of the Corduroy Appreciation Club and for them, no day gets better than today—11.11.11—which clearly symbolizes the vertical lines of the beloved fabric. If corduroy isn’t your thing, you can still honor our nation’s veterans and active duty service members, for the protection they provide is...

Learn More about Veteran’s Day and corduroy lovers

FirstLight Celebrates Success With First Annual Conference

From our Care Blog

Our first annual national conference last week was a huge success! A sincere thank you to each and every franchisee, employee and caregiver who made it to the conference at Big Cedar Resort—I firmly believe we have the best team in the industry. The three day event incorporated panels and roundtable sessions on best tips and practices of successful networking, effective management, administration and training techniques, plus focus groups for recruiting, advertising, social media and care coordination. Special presentations from industry experts and guest speakers were also heard. The event gave me the opportunity to bestow top franchisees and caregivers...

Learn More about FirstLight Celebrates Success With First Annual Conference

“I Don’t Believe You Just Said That!” 7 Statements To Question In Your Cancer Fight

From our Care Blog

Today we bring you another guest post from Joni Aldrich, renowned author and speaker. The expression “sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never harm me” is not true. When you’re fighting for your life against cancer or any critical illness, words can make all of the difference in the world. For Gordon and I, the first “I don’t believe you just said that!” moment came during the initial visit to his oncologist. We had found a treatment facility for his type of cancer in Little Rock, Arkansas. When we asked that first oncologist about a referral,...

Learn More about “I Don’t Believe You Just Said That!” 7 Statements To Question In Your Cancer Fight

Using Your Sweet Tooth to Fight Alzheimer’s

From our Care Blog

Let’s be honest, most of us don’t need a reason to enjoy a milkshake, especially in the summer! Now milkshakes may have gotten even better. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, there is now a milkshake for Alzheimer’s patients. It is estimated that 1 in 8 people over the age of 65 are affected by the disease, which is associated with memory loss, decreased judgment and personality changes. The new milkshake treatment, Axona, which is available by prescription only, provides energy to the brain, providing short-term positive effects in cognition and memory. Whether this is an option...

Learn More about Using Your Sweet Tooth to Fight Alzheimer’s

Disaster Preparedness For Older Adults

From our Care Blog

As nature is hitting us with all forces across the nation; hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and floods, a key resource for eldercare is an emergency supply kit. Each older adult’s needs and abilities are unique, but every older adult can take important steps to prepare for all kinds of emergencies and put plans in place, even when residing in retirement community. Start by evaluating personal needs when making an emergency plan. A commitment to planning today will help prepare the older adult for any emergency situation. Consider how a disaster might affect your individual needs. • Plan to make it on...

Learn More about Disaster Preparedness For Older Adults

Home care’s effect on the economy

From our Care Blog

With the deadline to raise the debt ceiling getting closer each day, the economy is at the forefront of the minds of many Americans. The home care industry—and family members providing care for their adult loved ones—has a great impact on the economy. According to a recent report from the AARP Public Policy Institute, the economic impact of home care in 2009 was approximately $450 billion with more than 40 million Americans provided care for an adult family member. Family caregivers face great challenges, balancing jobs with caregiving. In 2009, the average family caregiver was a 49-year-old woman with a...

Learn More about Home care’s effect on the economy

Cancer Myths Can Be Risky Assumptions

From our Care Blog

Another great post by guest blogger Joni Aldrich. This month, Joni addresses common myths associated with cancer. A myth is “an unfounded or false notion.” Although not usually considered dangerous, in the wrong context—such as associated with a cancer diagnosis—myths may lead to serious concerns. All cancers are created equal. With over 100 different types of cancer, don’t believe they are all created equal. Your own body chemistry, stage at the time of diagnosis, and overall health require special consideration in an effective treatment regimen. In The Saving of Gordon: Lifelines to W-I-N Against Cancer, we discuss the four cancer...

Learn More about Cancer Myths Can Be Risky Assumptions

How To Hire A Caregiver That Actually Cares

From our Care Blog

As awareness of elder abuse increases, the difficulties of finding and hiring a trustworthy caregiver are brought to light. Many adult children have learned the hard way, as told in a recent LA Times article. The search for the right caregiver is made even more challenging in states like California where caregiver background checks and screenings are not required. Here are a few of the most important things to consider when hiring a caregiver for an elderly loved one: • Decide exactly what you need and write it down. Create a job description that encompasses everything that is important to...

Learn More about How To Hire A Caregiver That Actually Cares