Understanding
Senior Care

Knowing Your Parent's Last Wishes

From our Care Blog

Talking with your parents about their last wishes can be a touchy subject. Chances are, it’s harder on you than them! It’s a subject that can’t be avoided, however, because there are some very important financial and emotional implications. The more you plan ahead -- before someone is in a hospital bed or incapacitated – the better. A study by the Hartford insurance company revealed that seniors are much more comfortable discussing estate planning than their boomer kids are! The study also revealed that 70-something year-old parents are more financially savvy when it comes to protecting their children and grandkids financially than boomers realize. They’re also more open...

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How to Reduce Your Stress Over the Holiday Season

From our Care Blog

We all look forward to Christmas, right?  It is a day of relaxing, possibly watching the annual Christmas parade and/or football, eating too much yummy food, being thankful for all that we have and being surrounded by family and friends. Well, that’s how it’s supposed to be in a perfect world. But, we all know that holidays aren’t perfect and neither are our families. Unfortunately, there can be a lot stress that comes with the holidays too.  For one, traveling (whether it’s by car or plane) can be taxing on one’s patience, especially if there are kids involved.  And, as much...

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2012 Best Holiday Gifts For Seniors

From our Care Blog

It’s that time of year again when I rack my brain for what to get my parents and loved ones for the holidays. If I ask them what they want. I get the standard reply: “nothing, I have everything I want”. So I decided to do some research on the Internet to find out what’s hot, what’s new, and some standard tried and trues. I knew that I wanted a gift that would keep them engaged and active. Definitely no dust collectors as our family home is chock full of doo dads and mementos! Wii. Who said video games are...

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Home Care for Families During Holidays and Special Occasions

From our Care Blog

Home care for families during holidays and special occasions helps you reduce stress and enjoy your time with your loved ones.

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The Sandwich Generation...The New Normal?

From our Care Blog

Have you heard of the term “The Sandwich Generation?”  Well, if you haven’t up until now, then you’ll probably start to hear it more and more.  Heck, you might even be a member of The Sandwich Generation and you don’t even know it. It’s a term that I find extremely accurate and descriptive once you understand the context of which it’s used.  So what exactly does it mean? The Sandwich Generation is a generation of people who care for their agingparents while supporting their own children. Dorothy A. Miller coined the term “sandwich generation” back in 1981, and Carol Abaya has...

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Fun Things To Do for Labor Day

From our Care Blog

So, it’s almost here.  The official end of summer is marked by the long Labor Day weekend.  What exactly are we celebrating on Labor Day?  The name seems to be pretty self-descriptive, but often times it’s easy to not really think about what the holiday is really about.  Let’s be honest, most of us are just grateful for a day off of work. According to Wikipedia, Labor Day is an American federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.  Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American...

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Seniors Go Back to School Too!

From our Care Blog

Guest Blogger: Julie Grannan August can be a bittersweet month, especially when you are a kid.  The summer is coming to an end, the local pool has closed up even before Labor Day weekend hits, and it’s back to school time.  But wait…back to school time for many kids is such an exciting time!  As Italked to my sister the other day about my nieces heading back to school this week, I vividly remember going to orientation day in grade school with my mom and siblings.  This was the day where you ran as fast as you could to view...

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How to Keep Loved Ones Safe in a Heatwave

From our Care Blog

Temperatures topped 100 degrees in many places across the country this week. In extreme heat, especially with high humidity, safety for our seniors is very important. At FirstLight Home Care, our mission is to keep seniors safe, healthy and happy in any conditions. Extreme heat can lead to heat stroke, heat rash or heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include feeling tired or confused, headaches, dry skin (no perspiration), a rapid pulse or feeling nauseous or dizzy. If you or a loved one have any of these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Stay in air conditioned areas....

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How to Know When It’s Time to Hire In-Home Care

From our Care Blog

By Julie Davis of Parentgiving.com Caregiving is one of the most loving and one of the most stressful roles you can take on. You may be motivated by many influences, from a sense of caring to a sense of responsibility. But no matter what has brought you to this role, it’s important to understand that your loved one’s crisis can turn into a health crisis for you if you don’t build a network of help and support. You can’t be there every minute, even if help is needed around the clock. Because most people want to stay in their own...

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Working Later In Life

From our Care Blog

This year there are over seven million workers aged 65 and older. Just 15 years ago, that number was half of what it is today. With a struggling economy, many workers are losing their jobs close to retirement age and looking for new careers to start later in life. Other reasons for postponing retirement range far and wide, but include people who aren’t emotionally ready for retirement, those who feel an economic responsibility to contribute, longer and healthier life spans, or financial concerns. An increasing number of older workers are also part of the “sandwich generation,” providing care for their...

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