Firstlight Resources

Surviving the Holidays: Tips for Family Caregivers

From our Care Blog

There is no doubt the holidays can be demanding. For family caregivers, this time of year can be even more difficult due to less time and additional responsibilities. FirstLight Home Care has wrapped up some tips for caregivers to help them make it through the holiday season with more joy and less stress. Establish ground rules. Communication is key. If regular family visits are part of your holiday traditions, make sure everyone is on the same page. In advance of family arriving, make sure you communicate the physical and mental changes or abilities of the loved one in your care...

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Finding Balance: Tips for the Sandwiched Caregiver

From our Care Blog

The sandwich generation is a generation of people who care for their aging parents while bringing up their own children. A recent Pew Study said that nearly 40 percent of those in the sandwich generation also provide emotional and financial support to both their aging parents, as well as their grown children. The sandwich generation caregiver gets squeezed between caring for two different groups of family members, and it can get a bit stressful. Here are six practical tips for caregivers living in the sandwich generation. Prioritize What Matters: Make a list of all the things you think must be...

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Giving Thanks to the Family Caregiver

From our Care Blog

Today is Thanksgiving. A day to pause and give thanks to the people and blessings we have in our lives. At FirstLight Home Care, we have much to be thankful for. We are most grateful for our amazing caregivers across the United States who are providing exceptional care and compassion to local families. We are also thankful for the more than 40 million Americans who are family caregivers and will spend this Thanksgiving – like every day – placing the care and safety of a family loved one first. We thank them for their hard work, selflessness, dedication, and the...

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How Technology Can Assist Family Caregivers

From our Care Blog

There is a common misconception that technology and seniors don’t mesh. For a portion of seniors, this may be true, and technology may be intimidating. But for a large and growing number of elderly Americans, technology is becoming a way of life. Computers, smartphones, social media, and other devices are helping more seniors live independently. These new trends in technology not only give family members peace of mind, but they can help family caregivers provide even better care. GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) A GPS tracker can be attached to clothing or be worn on the wrist to tell a caregiver...

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5 Helpful Tips for First-Time Caregivers

From our Care Blog

In November, we celebrate National Home Care and Family Caregivers Month, observances that are central to FirstLight Home Care. Throughout the month, our FirstLight weekly blog will focus on providing the tools, tips, resources and peace of mind that so many family caregivers need. If you are or have been a family caregiver, we invite you to comment and share your rewarding experiences caring for a loved one, as well as the struggles you have faced throughout your caregiving journey. Providing care for an aging loved one can be rewarding. But it can also be quite difficult. If you’re a...

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We Are Called to Support Family Caregivers

From our Care Blog

In November, we celebrate National Home Care and Family Caregivers Month, observances that are central to FirstLight Home Care. Throughout the month, our FirstLight weekly blog will focus on providing the tips, resources, peace of mind and inspiration that so many family caregivers need. If you are or have been a family caregiver, we invite you to comment and share your rewarding experiences caring for a loved one, as well as the struggles you have faced throughout your caregiving journey. The family caregiver – a person who provides regular physical, emotional or household support to a loved one who is elderly, disabled, ill...

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Holiday Travel: 4 Ways to Make Flying Stress Free and Safe for Seniors

From our Care Blog

The holidays will be here before we know it. If your senior wants to travel this merry season, be sure to get them where they need to go safely and with minimal stress. Holiday travel can be hectic and stressful if it's not properly planned with a well-organized itinerary. If you are a son or daughter in charge of caring for a senior loved one - be it your parent or grandparent, or even close family friend - there may be times that they will want to fly for vacation or to visit other relatives during the holidays. And you may...

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Maintain a Healthy Brain

From our Care Blog

Learn more about our Healthy Brain Services. FirstLight offers specialized care to support brain health. FirstLight Home Care and Ageless Grace partner on brain fitness program  It’s never too early to start doing whatever it takes to keep your brain young, healthy and active. Sustaining healthy brain function and keeping the mind sharp at any age may be more important than you think. “There have been several studies on the impact of how maintaining a healthy brain can help prevent early dementia and even diseases such as diabetes,” stated Jeff Bevis, CEO and Co-Founder of FirstLight Home Care. FirstLight is thrilled...

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Autumn Safety Checklist for Seniors

From our Care Blog

This autumn safety checklist can help you prepare your aging senior for the season. The weather is getting cooler, the days shorter and the air crisper. As we adjust to this “season of change,” it’s a perfect time to consider the safety, health and wellness of older adults who are aging in place. And planning for the change in seasons is particularly important for older adults who are living alone. Read this autumn safety checklist to help you and your loved one prepare. Before you turn up the heat, schedule regular maintenance for the home’s heating system to confirm it’s...

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Dental Care Tips for Older Adults

From our Care Blog

As you get older, new oral challenges can impact the health of your teeth and gums. Aging presents new oral challenges, therefore maintaining good oral hygiene is critically important as we age. When problems occur in the mouth, they can cause difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking and smiling — basic functions which can affect both physical and social well-being. There are several dental conditions associated with aging, including: Dry mouth: Dry mouth can result from physical changes within the body as it ages but can also be caused by medications. According to the American Dental Association, more than 400 commonly used...

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