Blog - Page 4 of 84 - Guilford, NC

November 28, 2019
From Our Care Blog

FirstLight Home Care - Happy Thanksgiving!

On this day of gratitude, may the good things in life be yours in abundance not only at Thanksgiving but throughout the coming year. At FirstLight Home Care, we have a lot to be thankful for. We are most grateful for our extraordinary caregivers who continue to provide exceptional care and compassion to our clients and families. We are also thankful for the more than 40 million family caregivers who will spend this Thanksgiving – as they do every day – placing the care and safety of a loved one first. We thank them for their care, commitment, generosity and…

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3 Reasons Caregiving is So Hard

November 21, 2019
From Our Care Blog

Caring for a loved one strains even the most resilient people. At FirstLight® we have found that family caregivers tend to be very compassionate people that only want to provide what is best for the loved one in their care. They appreciate the satisfaction and fulfillment that comes with taking care of someone, but the shift in parental roles and the emotions connected to an aging or ailing loved one can change the dynamics of any situation. Caregiving is hard work. It can involve many stressors. Over the last 10 years working with families, our local caregivers have found these…

HOW CAN CAREGIVERS PRACTICE SELF-CARE?

November 14, 2019
From Our Care Blog

Self-care is any activity that we do purposefully in order to take care of our emotional and physical health. It is a broad concept that incorporates nutrition, lifestyle, physical activities, and personal awareness, to name a few. Self-care is a way for our bodies to refuel. Make no mistake…it is not a selfish act. Good self-care is key to improving mood, reducing anxiety and maintaining a good relationship with oneself and others. Practicing self-care isn’t always easy. Most people, especially family caregivers, have busy schedules managing the care of a loved one and the needs of their family, friends, and…

Happy Veterans Day!

November 11, 2019
From Our Care Blog

We would like to honor and thank all our military veterans on this Veterans Day. And a special thanks to our many FirstLight Home Care veteran franchise owners across our franchise system.

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Home for the Holidays: A Checklist for Visiting Aging Parents

November 7, 2019
From Our Care Blog

It can be hard to tell how your senior parents are really doing at home when you don’t live nearby. If you have concerns about how your parents are managing while living on their own, there are many things you can and should look for when you are visiting with them this holiday season. We have created this handy Home for the Holidays Checklist to get you started. Download and print our FREE checklist and take it with you on your visit. Happy Holidays from FirstLight Home Care!

The Biggest Challenges Facing Family Caregivers

November 7, 2019
From Our Care Blog

Family caregiving duties cover a wide range of responsibilities that require endless amounts of energy, empathy, and patience. Most family caregivers will tell you that the time they spend caring for a loved one is one of the most fulfilling experiences they have had in their adult life, but it also comes with its own unique challenges. At FirstLight Home Care, we know that each caregiving situation is unique. But over the last 10 years we have seen that many of the biggest challenges that caregivers face are very similar: Emotional and physical stress: Studies have confirmed that family caregivers…

Nine Halloween Safety Tips for Older Adults

October 31, 2019
From Our Care Blog

Halloween is a fun time of year for both kids and adults. But for our elderly loved ones, it can be stressful and a little scary, especially if they live alone. A constant stream of trick-or-treaters knocking on the door can be a bit unsettling and intimidating – add scary masks and high-spirited kids and the unknown is greatly magnified. Our elderly loved ones should feel safe and secure on Halloween, whether they choose to hand out candy or not. Here are nine Halloween safety tips to consider: Check your lights and keep them on, even if you’re away from…

How Do I Reduce Caregiver Stress?

October 24, 2019
From Our Care Blog

What family caregivers can do to alleviate stress and take care of themselves. As a family caregiver, you tend to be primarily focused on your loved one, and you don’t always realize that your own health and well-being could be suffering. It’s important that you watch for these common signs of caregiver stress: Feeling overwhelmed or constantly worried Feeling tired often Getting too much (or not enough) sleep Drastic changes in weight Becoming easily irritated or angry Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy Feeling sad much of the time Having frequent headaches or other physical pains Abusing alcohol…

Natural Disasters: Preparing for the Unexpected

October 17, 2019
From Our Care Blog

“One person caring about another represents life’s greatest value.” – Jim Rohn While we can’t always predict or avert weather emergencies or natural disasters, we can try to prepare for them as much as possible so that we are always ready. Unexpected emergencies involving seniors can be even more challenging as many older adults have mobility issues, chronic health conditions, or they may not have family or friends nearby to assist them. We were quite inspired when we learned about the above-and-beyond measures one of our FirstLight franchise owners took during the recent hurricanes. When the massive storms blew through…

Autumn Safety Checklist for Seniors

October 10, 2019
From Our Care Blog

As we transition into autumn, and eventually into more wintry weather, it’s the perfect time to consider the safety, health, and well-being of older adults who are aging in the place they call home…especially if they are living alone. If you’re a family caregiver assisting an aging senior, now is the time to address all potential safety hazards, health challenges and home maintenance issues your loved one may face as they prepare for this season of change. Inspect the HVAC system. Cold temperatures can be difficult for the elderly. Schedule a regular maintenance check for your parents’ home heating system…