Caregiver
Resources

New Year’s Strategies for the Family Caregiver

From our Care Blog

By Beth Bourgault, Caregiver, FirstLight Home Care of Salem, Mass. FirstLight Home Care 2016 Caregiver of the Year Being a family caregiver is both a rewarding and challenging role. Becoming a primary source of care – when you used to be a daughter, son, sister, brother, wife, husband, friend – can be overwhelming. And it can place a strain on your most valued relationships. As a FirstLight caregiver, I work with many clients who are fortunate to have a loved one also providing support and participating in their care. While each situation is different, many of the challenges are the...

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Give Your Loved Ones the Gift of Memories This Holiday

From our Care Blog

One of the joys of aging is sharing stories. For many older adults, stories are a connection to the past and evidence of a life well-lived. And for the families of these historians, stories are a way to preserve memories for years – and generations – to come. With so many family activities during the holidays, it’s an ideal time to capture these treasured stories. But when it comes to building this type of family history, where do you begin? Following are some simple steps you can take to plan, capture and archive treasured stories from the older adults in...

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50 Ways Home Care Can Support Family Caregivers

From our Care Blog

For so many family caregivers, the story is familiar. “I don’t know where to turn for help.” Or, “I’m exhausted. I don’t think I can do this on my own anymore.” Or, “There has to be a better way to care for my loved one.” These are the words of an untold number of family caregivers who are struggling to provide care and support for loved ones, while at the same time maintaining some balance in their own lives. The good news is there is somewhere to turn for help. You don’t have to do it alone. There’s a way...

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A Helpful Dozen: 12 Online Resources for Family Caregivers

From our Care Blog

A recent report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine concluded that there’s more to caring for the older adult population than services and support for aging individuals. An equally urgent need is resources for the family caregiver who is so integral to their care. The report found that nearly 18 million Americans care for a relative older than 65. And that those providing support are often thrust into the family caregiving role without the preparation, services, support and information they need. The Academies said “the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the most significant challenges”...

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Caring Is Our Calling: What It Means To Be a Caregiver

From our Care Blog

“Going the extra mile for somebody, you can’t teach that. It has to be inside you already.” DeShawn Joiner, FirstLight Home Care 2016 Caregiver of the Year November is an important and treasured month for FirstLight Home Care. Each year, we observe National Home Care Month, as well as National Family Caregivers Awareness Month. While we’re always grateful for the important role we play – caring for our clients and supporting family caregivers – November is an opportunity for us to truly reflect on just what it means to be a caregiver. Caring Is Our Calling FirstLight was created with...

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Travel tips for adults with special needs

From our Care Blog

We're in the dog days of summer, and while school starts soon in some locations, others plan to vacation in August due to lower rates at certain resorts and locales. In any case, traveling is a challenge whether you or your loved ones have physical, mental or other special needs. FirstLight Home Care offers needed solutions to your travel concerns. If someone you care for has special needs, mobility or other travel obstacles to overcome, FirstLight Home Care offers assistance with an option called the Travel Companion Services Program. A FirstLight Travel Companion can be engaged to help with almost...

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Benefits of Walking: Walk Your Way To a Better You

From our Care Blog

I have long ago passed the point in my life where I can jog. Two ACL surgeries have left my arthritic knees unable to take the impact. I don’t live anywhere near a swimming pool and I am too hyperactive to do yoga. Spin classes give me a headache just thinking about it. And because I am a work-a-holic who works out of my house, I need to get out and about for my own sanity and the sanity of my family. I have a million excuses NOT to exercise. “I’m too busy” is my favorite. “It’s too hot outside”...

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Family: Traveling with your Aging Parents

From our Care Blog

Summer travel is in full swing. If you are like any families across the United States, your traveling and your trip mate might include traveling with a senior. They may not be as mobile without a wheelchair, or they may have a specific health condition such as Alzheimer’s disease or heart problems that may require you take the lead, not only as the tour guide, but as the caregiver. This may make your vacation much more complex, regardless of whether you’re traveling by plane, cruise ship or your own family car. We spoke with Nurse Gina and she put together...

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Family Discussion: Long Distance Caregiving

From our Care Blog

Caregiving from a distance is no easy task. It can be stressful because you can’t be there at a moment’s notice when your parents need you.  To help reduce some of the stress and to help you organize the process for care when your loved ones do not live near you, we have put together some helpful tips we’ve gathered from Nurse Gina. Create a Contact List: Assemble and organize a contact list that includes addresses, phone numbers and emails of friends, neighbors, doctors, faith leaders and others in regular contact with your parents who you can be reached in...

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How Dogs Can Positively Impact The Elderly

From our Care Blog

When my Mom turned 60-years-old, I asked her what she wanted for this special birthday. I figured maybe she would want a trip or have all the kids and grandkids fly home. Her answer floored me: a dog. My Mom and Dad had dogs when they were children, but I was allergic to pets.  It had been 40 years since my parents had a dog, and I was a little afraid whether it would be too overwhelming for them. After all, dogs require a lot of attention, love and training. Would my Dad really want to get up and walk...

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