Firstlight Resources

Customers come first

From our Care Blog

Many of you may not know that much of FirstLight’s focus on client satisfaction comes from my son’s experience working at the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta. Devin, 27, worked at the hotel for three years before coming on board at FirstLight. The training he received at the Ritz taught him that customers come first; a happy customer means a happy business owner. And that’s a philosophy that can be easily transferred to elderly care. Our mission at FirstLight is helping seniors stay in the comfort and security of their own home. I’ve learned over the years—through various jobs and caring...

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Getting involved and giving back

From our Care Blog

Lately, I’ve been noticing a trend amongst seniors in the news—they’re giving back to their local communities and helping in out-of-the-box ways. A group of pro-active seniors in Burlington, Wash., for example, are helping fight crime with the town’s new Citizens On Patrol program. "So far our volunteers have already spotted a house that was broken into," Officer Tim Van Dyken, community resource officer for Burlington police told NWCN.com this week. The help from seniors is especially important as it comes at a time when budget cuts are the norm. Another story that sparked my attention this week is one...

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Couple infuses business with passion

From our Care Blog

Growing up in the suburbs of Atlanta, John Tolbert spent a great deal of time with his grandmother when his parents were at work. While she helped raise him for many years, she unfortunately fell sick when John was a teenager. That’s when the family enlisted the help of a caregiver. Unlike a nursing home, they felt as though an in-home caregiver would give her the personal attention she required. And they were right. The experience had such a great impact on John that he and his wife, Shea, opened FirstLight Home Care this September. As the first FirstLight franchise...

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Gaming for health and happiness

From our Care Blog

Last weekend, it was announced—again—that a senior citizen bowled a perfect score on Nintendo’s Wii Bowling. But if you’ve been following your video gaming news, you know that Rhea Freeman, 85, of Houma, La. isn’t the first senior to perfect the game! Earlier this year, Dayton, Ohio resident Jack Davis, 86, announced that he had rolled 40 perfect games out of the 4,300 games attempted. "I bowled when I was younger, but not like this," Davis told his local paper. "If I bowled like this when I was league bowling in 1963, then I'd be a millionaire." Well, he's not...

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Fighting off the flu

From our Care Blog

With flu season starting this weekend, doctors and health officials are reminding everyone to get the flu shot—especially seniors. Some organizations are even offering free flu shots today. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, for example, will offer free flu shots for senior citizens on Medicare or enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs through Nov. 20. The shots will only cost $15 for others. Luckily this season, a new high-dose flu shot is available for senior citizens. The vaccine contains Antigen, which produces a stronger immune response than the standard flu shot. Seniors should also beware of H1N1. After last year's...

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FirstLight Home Care Expands Across the Country

From our Care Blog

After just six months of franchising, we have expanded our services throughout six states: Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, Nebraska and Illinois. And it doesn’t stop there. We plan to award an additional 24 locations in 2011 and 36 in 2012, totaling 74 franchises awarded and/or developed within three years. During a time when many businesses are closing their doors, it feels great to be bucking the trend. At FirstLight, we do our best to help foster a “Culture of Care” based on the hallmarks of trust, open communication and solid relationships. We build a “franchise family” that will work together...

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Alzheimer’s Awareness

From our Care Blog

This Tuesday marks World Alzheimer’s Day. With this important day right around the corner, we wanted to take some time to shed light on the topic. Consider this*: • One in eight Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s • 172 billion U.S. dollars are spent every year on the disease • There are 10.9 million unpaid Americans acting as caregivers to Alzheimer’s patients • Alzheimer’s was the seventh leading cause of death across all ages in the U.S. in 2006 Although Alzheimer’s affects people differently, some signs to be aware of in your loved one are: memory loss that...

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Fall Signals Time for Seniors to Stay Active

From our Care Blog

Now that the temperatures are cooling, there has never been a more optimal time to get outdoors and get active! And with the heat of summer a near memory, we encourage the elderly to enjoy the less humid temperatures. How can you help them make the most of the fresh air while it lasts? Consider these helpful tips to better keep your loved one active, alive and invigorated by fall’s cool rush: First Things First: Before starting an exercise program, consult a doctor. This is especially important when working with an in-home care provider service, such as FirstLight Home Care....

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Creating a Plan for the Future

From our Care Blog

I am often struck by the difficulty people have when it comes to discussing financial planning issues with family members. But looking ahead to how you can ensure the best possible care for someone who is no longer able to live on their own will be one of the smartest decisions you make. Often times it’s a fall, accident or diagnosis that may trigger the discussion—which may prove to be too little too late. Consider these suggestions when looking ahead to future care. • Consider the needs of a loved one: How does the senior in your life want to...

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Personal Stories, Personal Care

From our Care Blog

More than 20 years ago, Kim Motter remembers when her grandmother, Olivia, could no longer live independently in her home after suffering from a severe fall. Kim remembers how at the time, in-home care options were limited. Nursing homes were really the only viable care option for her family, who lived some 250 miles away from her ailing grandmother. Today, times are different. Kim, who recently opened a FirstLight Home Care business with her partner Liza M. Burns in Dayton, Ohio, never forgot Olivia’s story. Its lasting impact carried over into a mission of providing in-home care for those who...

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