Firstlight Resources

Getting Enough ZZZZs? The Importance of Sleep for Family Caregivers

From our Care Blog

We all know how important a good night’s sleep is to our health. Regular sleep deprivation can increase the risk for many health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, stroke and dementia. Quality sleep for family caregivers is critical as they can especially be at risk for sleep problems, including insomnia (the inability to fall or stay asleep), hypersomnia (problems staying awake), and poor-quality sleep. While taking care of a loved one, caregivers often get up in the middle of the night to help, or they stay up late to get their own chores done. Additionally, many...

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Helping Seniors with Spring Maintenance: 5 Tips

From our Care Blog

Spring will be here before we know it. In fact, the first day of Spring is Tuesday, March 20. And in a few days, Daylight Savings Time begins, clocks change, and some of us gain a little extra light in the evenings. As the weather warms and things begin to thaw, there’s often a need to do some general spring maintenance. For aging seniors, some routine tasks around the home can be difficult to take on, especially if they have mobility issues. There are several ways you can assist your senior to help get their home ready for spring and...

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Caring for Adults with Disabilities

From our Care Blog

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about developmental disabilities, teach the importance of inclusion and show that a successful life is possible. FirstLight Home Care is proud to advocate for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and we are honored to provide the assistance adults with disabilities need to live safe, fulfilling lives. More than 5 million Americans are estimated to have a developmental disability. Many of them need support with life activities such as self-care, mobility and independent living. FirstLight provides compassionate home care to help adults with disabilities achieve the independence they desire and...

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Family Caregivers Can Balance Career, Caregiving

From our Care Blog

Family Caregiver – noun | fam·i·ly care·giv·er One who takes care of a member of his or her family, often a senior parent or disabled relative; someone who is responsible for attending to the daily needs of another person. According to an AAPR Public Policy Institute study, the average U.S. family caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who provides unpaid care of nearly 20 hours per week to her mother for nearly five years. The life of working family caregivers can be difficult. Caring for a loved one while also working a paying job is time-consuming and it's physically and emotionally demanding....

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Small Changes Can Lead to Lifetime of Heart Health

From our Care Blog

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." - American author Robert Collier Small changes matter. That is true of many things in life, even when it comes to taking action to maintain heart health. Applying small changes at an early age can have positive, lasting effects. And making those changes before developing a chronic condition, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, is key. Why is this so important? Because heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S. And most Americans aren’t even aware that they could be at risk...

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Cardiovascular Disease: Who is at Risk?

From our Care Blog

February is American Heart Month, an ideal time to commit to making small changes that can lead to a lifetime of heart health. Know your cardiovascular disease risk. Cardiovascular disease (also known as heart disease) remains the leading global cause of death for men and women, with more than 17.3 million deaths each year. That number is expected to rise to more than 23 million by 2030. There are several types of cardiovascular disease, including: Heart failure: sometimes called congestive heart failure, this means the heart isn't pumping blood as well as it should. Arrhythmia: an abnormal rhythm of the...

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Understanding the Aid & Attendance Benefit for Veterans

From our Care Blog

Are you a military veteran in need of home care? The Aid & Attendance benefit may help reduce the cost of care. Many military veterans and their family are unaware of the Aid & Attendance benefits program for which they could be eligible. The Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension is a little-known existing benefit which helps reduce the cost of care for older veterans and their surviving spouses. Aid & Attendance is available to eligible veterans and spouses who require home care – including assistance with eating, bathing, and medication reminders – even if the assistance is not a direct...

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What is Glaucoma? Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

From our Care Blog

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye. That extra fluid increases eye pressure, damaging the optic nerve. It also can result in partial to complete loss of vision. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. It can occur at any age but is more common in older adults. The two most common types of glaucoma are primary open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Symptoms of Glaucoma Most people with this disease have no early warning signs, and often no...

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Healthy Eating for Seniors: 6 Ways to Eat Well as You Age

From our Care Blog

Healthy eating for seniors is an important part of their overall health and well-being. Eating a well-balanced diet is critical as they age. Proper nutrition provides the necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, and it can help maintain a healthy weight. Eating right can also lower the risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. Also keep in mind that as your parent, grandparent or other senior loved one gets older, their nutritional needs, diet and appetite may change. For example, they may need fewer calories because of a slower metabolism. They may experience a loss...

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Eye Care: 5 Healthy Habits for Aging Eyes

From our Care Blog

A look at some common age-related eye health problems and several healthy eye care tips that can help protect your vision as you age. Changes in vision can occur in your later years. As you reach the age of 60 and beyond, you can develop eye diseases and age-related eye health problems that could lead to vision loss. Sometimes these diseases present no symptoms and you may not even realize that you are experiencing changes in your vision until it’s too late. By getting regular eye exams and maintaining healthy habits for aging eyes, you have a better chance of...

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