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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Learn More about FirstLight offers unique approach to dementia care
How Daylight Savings Time Effects Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease
From our Care Blog
It occurred to me as I sat at breakfast with my mother in law, Martha, who suffers with Alzheimer’s disease that she didn’t seem quite herself today. That may sound strange to some of you but even as an individual is progressing through the dementia stages they do retain certain…
Learn More about How Daylight Savings Time Effects Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease
Emergency preparedness for seniors
From our Care Blog
Thursday’s string of natural disasters, which caused destruction and tragedy in Japan, Hawaii and on the Western coast of the U.S., have raised prominent questions and concerns for friends, family members and caregivers of the elderly. How can we keep our elderly loved ones safe when natural disasters occur? Here…
From our Care Blog
[caption id="attachment_330" align="alignleft" width="99" caption="In addition to being a Registered Nurse and Certified Dementia Practitioner, Gina Kaurich (above) is also a caregiver of her mother-in-law."][/caption] You would think by now I would be accustom to the depersonalization of the hospital system. After all, I have been a Registered Nurse since…
How to cope with a loved one’s memory loss
From our Care Blog
Studies estimate that up to 40 percent of adults over age 50 suffer from age-related memory loss. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia affect thousands of elderly Americans as well as their caregivers and loved ones. Renowned psychologist Dr. Dale Atkins, PhD. was recently interviewed on the…