Firstlight Resources

Activities for Loved Ones with Alzheimer’s or Dementia

From our Care Blog

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. When spending time with seniors who have Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is important consider what they enjoyed doing before they began to lose their memory. Find an activity that makes them feel purposeful—they may not remember what they did that day but they will remember how they felt doing it. Go through photo albums. This is a fun activity for people with memory challenges and you might hear a story you’ve never heard before. Seeing the old pictures takes them back to a time that they can remember—the memories are still there and...

Learn More about Activities for Loved Ones with Alzheimer’s or Dementia

Missing The Crazy Christmas Lady

From our Care Blog

The other day my daughter asked me to watch “The Grinch That Stole Christmas” with Jim Carrey. It was the first snow of the year, and it seemed like a fun thing to do, even though it was way ahead of the holidays. It’s a fun movie with a heartfelt message. When the movie ended, I started to cry. Not little sniffles, but heaving sobs. When my daughter asked me why, I explained that it was the first holiday season without my Mom. These “milestone” moments are always hard, particularly the first year.  We liked to make fun of her...

Learn More about Missing The Crazy Christmas Lady

FirstLight Client Celebrates 105th Birthday in the House He Built by Hand

From our Care Blog

Most people would consider living to your mid-90’s an accomplishment by itself, but what if you heard that a man just turned 105 years old, and is still living in the house that he built 65 years ago? Well that actually happened last month when FirstLight client Bill Mohr, a World War II veteran of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, celebrated his 105th birthday with his wife, Jo, and the rest of their family. That same day, he and Jo shared their 70th wedding anniversary and he also received an honorary high school diploma from St. Joseph Preparatory School. He received a full...

Learn More about FirstLight Client Celebrates 105th Birthday in the House He Built by Hand

A Day for National Brush Day

[caption id="attachment_2908" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Nov 1, 2013, Day after Halloween is National Brush Day. Good oral hygiene is an important part of our in-home care for home care clients and patients at Hearthside Home Care. www.hearthsidehomecare.com[/caption]   Encourage all, adults as well as children, to brush at least twice a day! The day after Halloween, November 1, 2013, is declared National Brush Day, by the American Dental Association. Your mouth is your gateway to the rest of your body! Your mouth and your teeth tell a lot about your overall health. Take good care of your oral health. Good oral hygiene is an...

Learn More about A Day for National Brush Day

Who Should Get The Flu Vaccine

From our Care Blog

The flu is nasty! No one likes the chills, vomiting or fever associated with the illness. Although the thought of getting a shot is not pleasant, the effect of not getting the shot is even worse! The flu can cause moderate symptoms, but in many seniors, it can be fatal. Here Nurse Gina with FirstLight Home Care answers the most common questions about the flu and how to protect both you and your family against this all too common illness. Who Should Receive the Vaccine? First, all children aged 6 months and older should be vaccinated annually, with rare exceptions,...

Learn More about Who Should Get The Flu Vaccine

An Early Christmas Visit This Year on October 19 2013

[caption id="attachment_2892" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Greensboro Receives Early Christmas Visit on October 19, 2013[/caption] Santa Jim, Jim Rumley  - Made An Early Greensboro visit this year at Men Can Cook 2013, for the Women's Resource Center Greensboro, on October 19, 2013 at the Greensboro Coliseum, Giving to Our Community. He made scrumptious cookies for the event! Our in-home care staff and caregivers enjoy his visits!  

Learn More about An Early Christmas Visit This Year on October 19 2013

A Night of Community Service for the Women's Resource Center of Greensboro

    [caption id="attachment_2878" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Roget DePercin Berendes, of Hearthside Home Care, is one of the 50 chefs featured at the 2013 Men Can Cook Event[/caption] An important annual event takes place Saturday October19, 2013 in Greensboro NC at the Special Events Center of the Coliseum. A fundraiser in support of the Women's Resource Center of Greensboro features 50 local men who will present their delicious creations from 6-9pm. A silent auction with great items and services, a chef cook-off, and lots of fun to boot promise a great time for all! Thanks to all of the chefs, which includes Roget DePercin Berendes,...

Learn More about A Night of Community Service for the Women's Resource Center of Greensboro

Should Americans Be Legally Obligated To Visit Their Aging Parents?

From our Care Blog

China recently passed the “Elderly Rights Law” legally obligating children to visit their parents who are 60 years and older “frequently” and provide for their “financial and spiritual needs.” Failure to comply with this law can result in fines, lawsuits or jail time. Although there is no time limit on how often a child must visit his aging parents, the law was in response to the growing number of elderly neglected by their children. “I hope this type of legislation will never be necessary in the United States now or the future,” says Jeff Bevis, CEO of FirstLight Home Care,...

Learn More about Should Americans Be Legally Obligated To Visit Their Aging Parents?

A Walk and A Day in Greensboro to End Alzheimer's

A Day and a Walk to End Alzheimer's in Center City Park Greensboro Saturday October 12, 2013 - Memory Walk 2013 Greensboro [caption id="attachment_2851" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Hearthside Home Care with friends and Alzheimer's Association supporters in Center City Park Greensboro NC - Memory Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday October 12, 2013[/caption]    

Learn More about A Walk and A Day in Greensboro to End Alzheimer's

Coping With The Death Of Your Mother

From our Care Blog

By Cindy Smith, Adult Daughter My Mother was 82-years-old and had been given Last Rites three times. She had been sick for 10 years, and her death had not been unexpected. But when the finality comes, it leaves a gaping abyss that is difficult to fill. It is true that death is harder on those left behind. I was a long distance caregiver for eight years and we used to talk on the phone for an hour every day (thank goodness they don’t charge by the minute for long distance calls anymore). She would give me advice on my kids,...

Learn More about Coping With The Death Of Your Mother