Firstlight Resources

Calming the storms

From our Care Blog

Martha, my mother-in-law who has Alzheimer’s disease, is now requiring more personal care every day.  It has been a long winter for her; she has been in the hospital several times with urinary tract infections, pneumonia, dehydration and this last admission was because she became weak, unconscious and fell.  With the resulting gash on her head, multiple bruises and right arm in a sling, she looks like she just lost a fight.  All of this kept her recovering between the hospital, rehabilitation unit and our homes. Her memory is lessening; her paranoia is worse.  She asked her daughter, Carol, if...

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Easter holiday offers chance to connect with elderly loved ones

From our Care Blog

Another holiday has arrived and for many people, holidays equal family, food and fun. This can be especially exciting for seniors who don’t have the opportunity to spend a lot of quality time with friends and loved ones. Regardless of the religious beliefs of the seniors involved, Easter is a good opportunity to welcome the spring season and engage in Easter-related activities. If you’re planning a get-together this weekend, here are a few fun activities that will surely put a smile on your senior’s face. Prep time If you’re hosting the shindig, invite your elderly family members or friends over...

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Helping seniors go green

From our Care Blog

Most of us are aware that Earth Day is approaching next week on Friday, April 22. A day devoted to raising awareness about the Earth and the issues that affect it, this day is extremely unique for the fact that it is one of the only events that is celebrated worldwide, regardless of religion, politics, gender, age, etc. Many senior citizens want to jump on the green bandwagon and understand the concept but aren’t sure where they can make a difference. Besides acting to help preserve the environment, most seniors acknowledge that going green is a healthy and safe choice...

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I'm the pastrami

From our Care Blog

This week has been more challenging than most.  My 35-year-old daughter, Angie, has been having back problems and had to go for an outpatient surgery procedure in an attempt to reduce the numbness, tingling and sharp pain she has been experiencing.  Her and my son-in-law, Bob, needed to leave around 5:30 am for the surgery center so I took what was supposed to be a “mental health” day to get my 3 grandchildren off to school.  Honestly, getting the 5 and 7 year olds up, fed, dressed and on the school bus was not difficult.  The only near miss we...

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Must-have traits for every caregiver

From our Care Blog

In the United States, over 65 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving. Even though 29 percent of the U.S. population is providing care, this doesn’t mean that all 29 percent is cut out for the job. Anyone can attest to the joys, rewards and challenges of caring for another but how do you know what characteristics should be present when looking to hire a caregiver for an elderly loved one? Keep the following traits in mind when you’re on the hunt: Companionship A caregiver...

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Oral health care for the elderly

From our Care Blog

A recent visit to the dentist left me thinking about the issue of oral health care for the elderly. A report on the oral health of older Americans noted that dental care is a luxury many of the seniors in our society can’t afford; a whopping 20 percent of Americans age 75 and older lack any form of dental insurance. Additionally, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 23 percent of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have severe periodontal disease. Poor oral health in the elderly can lead to inadequate diet, malnutrition, inadequate oral...

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Another End of the Spectrum

From our Care Blog

My mother in law, Martha, who has Alzheimer’s disease, has been my main focus here; however, today I would like to talk about my foster mother who is 88 years old.  Her name is Jule, short for Julia, and I can still hear my foster dad say, “Now Jule” when they would disagree about something and he felt she had crossed the line.  I guess because this was such a rare event it made an impression on me.  It just occurred to me you might be wondering how I ended up with foster parents.  Well, first let me say these...

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Cruisin' in the fast lane

From our Care Blog

A recent video news clip from Philadelphia’s NBC affiliate shows a 68-year old woman driving the wrong way down a major express way—putting her life as well as many others on the road at stake. Unfortunately, this scenario and other related accidents occur daily as many seniors encounter driving difficulties as they age. According to AAA, 86 percent of respondents to a recent survey said they were “concerned” about their elderly parent’s ability to drive. Assessing an older adult’s driving skills and deciding whether or not to take the keys away is a very hard decision. There are many factors...

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The Mystery of the Observation Status

From our Care Blog

As of today, Martha, my mother in law, has been in the hospital 6 days.  She has received a multitude of tests, IV’s and nurses and doctors have been in and out to see her.  The medical social worker (MSW) visited and told us she could make arrangements for her to be discharged to a Rehabilitation center for physical and occupational therapy; however, the facility wanted $8,000.00 up front.  After the initial shock, where I almost had to resuscitate the rest of the family, we began to ask questions.  Come to find out, Martha has been an observation patient this...

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FirstLight offers unique approach to dementia care

From our Care Blog

As the number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s continues to rise, so does the number of unpaid caregivers. According to a recent article in USA Today, nearly 15 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S. help someone with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Any family member or caregiver can tell you that caring for a person with dementia is not an easy, glamorous job; it’s often filled with stress and exhaustion. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, increasing awareness and education of the disease, and planning for care in the early stages can help relieve much of the stress...

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