The FirstLight Care Corner

5 Healthy Tips To Avoid Weight Gain During The Holidays

From our Care Blog

The holidays are here and no one wants to be around a killjoy at a Christmas party or a family get-together because they’re trying to avoid the temptations of the season’s high-calorie bounty and dodge the gift of a few additional pounds this season. Whether it’s one, three, or seven pounds, experience says that most of us will gain weight between now and New Year’s Day because of those darn frosted cookies, eggnog, chocolate, candies and more lurking around the office, at the neighbors, and in your own home. To make the most of the season and keep the holiday...

Learn More about 5 Healthy Tips To Avoid Weight Gain During The Holidays

Embracing Old Man Winter

From our Care Blog

The last few leaves on your tree are about to fall. Gray skies have taken over. Winter is approaching fast. Unless you plan on heading south for the next 5 months to avoid the cold, you need to get prepared. Winter can be a challenge, so you need to find the bright side. We’ve put together a list of things you can do to embrace old man winter and make the most of it. Make a bird/squirrel feeder. Snow, frozen ground, and lack of vegetation makes it hard for wildlife to find food. Make simple feeders out of peanut butter...

Learn More about Embracing Old Man Winter

How To Enjoy The Holidays

From our Care Blog

For many, the holidays are stressful times. Parties, holiday shopping, family gatherings, too much food, over spending…too many obligations and no time for relaxation. This isn’t how you want it to be, but yet every year it is. This year make a declaration to yourself to make it different. Today is the day to get that plan in place and make it a season of peace, joy, and celebration. Define what is most important to you. If it means more time with family, great. If it means something spiritual, super. If it means something else, fantastic. It’s whatever you want...

Learn More about How To Enjoy The Holidays

The Art of Letter Writing

From our Care Blog

Letter writing is an almost lost skill and all of us living in our digital-centric world are missing out on the beauty of a handwritten letter and the joy of finding something personal in your mailbox. We can change that, December 7th is Letter Writing Day. We’re encouraging everyone to take a few minutes and send someone a hand written letter. By going through the process of writing a letter and physically committing words to a paper, it shows your investment of time and effort in a relationship. It can be a very meaningful experience for you – but you...

Learn More about The Art of Letter Writing

To Grandmother's House You Go! Are You Ready For Winter Driving?

From our Care Blog

Driving during the winter months can be treacherous. Cold weather, ice, snow, and limited daylight hours can make a simple trip across town a long and exhausting journey. You need to be prepared. Here are some helpful tips to help you get your car ready for winter travel: Make your own or purchase a pre-made car weather safety kit. This kit should include: first-aid kit, jumper (booster) cables, tow ropes, cat litter (or something to gain traction under your tires if stuck somewhere slippery), a windshield scraper, candle, and matches. Check your tires well before the winter season begins. Be...

Learn More about To Grandmother's House You Go! Are You Ready For Winter Driving?

Living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

From our Care Blog

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. If a family member has been diagnosed with dementia, it can come as a shock and create anxiety within the family as to what will happen next. For many adults and seniors diagnosed with this disease, they want to remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible. To achieve this goal, there will need to be some changes to enable people with dementia to remain independent for longer or make it easier for others to give support.* Avoid falls: Falls are a common and potentially serious problem affecting older...

Learn More about Living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Great American Smokeout®

From our Care Blog

If you are a smoker or you know, live, or care for someone that is, November 19th is a day you’ll want to lose the habit and become victorious over tobacco. The American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout® is November 19th and it’s your chance to triumph over this addiction. About 42 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. As of 2014, there were also 12.4 million cigar smokers in the US, and over 2.3 million who smoke tobacco in pipes — other dangerous...

Learn More about Great American Smokeout®

National Family Caregivers Month

From our Care Blog

There are hundreds of thousand families in the United States that are currently the primary caregiver to aging parents, adult children with disabilities, family members of wounded soldiers, or adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. We know caring for a parent, family member or loved one day in and day out takes its toll on the caregiver. It’s a tough job and sometimes caregivers need a break and should take time for themselves to rejuvenate their own body, mind, and soul. November is National Family Caregivers Month and throughout the month we will be honoring and celebrating the...

Learn More about National Family Caregivers Month

Diabetes Awareness Month

From our Care Blog

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. Another 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245 billion. Staggering! If you are overweight, have high blood pressure, or are age 45 or older, you are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that making healthy changes...

Learn More about Diabetes Awareness Month

Avoid Spreading Flu Germs

From our Care Blog

Flu season is here (darn it). The single best way to avoid the flu is to get an annual flu vaccine and then hide in your home until flu season is over. Okay, that isn’t very practical. The flu is spread mainly from person to person in droplets that fly out when you cough or sneeze. These tiny drops from a sick person move through the air and land on the mouths or noses of others nearby. Germs are also passed along when you touch these droplets from someone else on a surface like a desk and then touch your...

Learn More about Avoid Spreading Flu Germs