Firstlight Resources

Respite Care Can Make a Difference in Lives of Family Caregivers

From our Care Blog

Don’t feel guilty about taking care of yourself too.  Consider respite care. Caring for a loved one can be very fulfilling. Family members often step in as caregivers to help an elderly parent or grandparent, chronically ill family member or loved one with a disability because they are loving and compassionate, and because they would do anything to ensure that person has the best quality of life possible. However, caregiving is often a full-time job that can impact your health and well-being, job performance and overall life balance. Suddenly you find yourself putting your own needs aside and you forget...

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Senior Citizens Day Chance to Connect with Loved Ones

From our Care Blog

National Senior Citizens Day Observed on August 21 In a 1988 proclamation, Ronald Reagan, who was the U.S. president at the time, created a national day for senior citizens. Still today, National Senior Citizens Day is annually observed on August 21. The observance was established to recognize and support senior citizens who make a positive impact in communities across the U.S. It also was created to raise awareness of the social, health and economic issues that affect senior citizens. As Ronald Reagan declared in his Presidential Proclamation: "For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish,...

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Preventing Falls at Home: Safety Tips for Seniors

From our Care Blog

Desire to keep your elderly loved one safe while aging in place? Learn the top safety tips for preventing falls at home.

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Important Immunizations for Seniors

From our Care Blog

August is Immunization Awareness Month Vaccines are not just for children. There are important immunizations for seniors as well. Certain immunizations can help prevent seniors from getting and spreading serious diseases that could result in poor health, medical bills and not being able to care for themselves. In fact, some seniors may need one or more vaccines, even if they received them as a child or as a younger adult. Immunity to certain diseases can wear off over time, and as people get older, they are at an increased risk of contracting various illnesses. Some may also be at risk...

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Tips for Traveling with Your Elderly Parents

From our Care Blog

Are you about to head out on a family adventure with your elderly parents? Read these four travel tips to ensure a safe, stress-free vacation. Research and plan: Planning, reserving and confirming must be accomplished in advance to make the most of the trip. Establish a trip itinerary that allows everyone to contribute  and that also clarifies the activities planned for each day. Make sure to build in down time in case your parents need some extra rest. Make hotel reservations, and reserve event tickets, passes and dining reservations in advance to avoid long lines, changes or disruptions to the...

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Art and Aging: How Art Can Benefit Older Adults

From our Care Blog

Older adults need to exercise their brain and their body. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association have found with older adults that exercising the brain is as important to keep the brain alert and strong as physical exercise is to keep the body strong and able.The benefits of movement, building, inventing or creating things is fulfilling, and it gives people a sense of worth and contribution while helping them to maintain a positive outlook on life. In the book Successful Aging, John W. Rowe, MD, and Robert L. Kahn, PhD, discuss three aspects of successful aging: low...

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Should Your Elderly Parents Live at Home Alone?

From our Care Blog

Elderly parents want to remain living independently, but it can be a struggle as they decline in physical or mental abilities. But when they are determined to do so, what do you do? AARP reported earlier this year that 80 to 90 percent of aging people, including our elderly parents, would choose to reside in their own homes for as long as possible, as opposed to choosing to live in a nursing home or independent care facility. This desire by your elderly parents to live independently can make it challenging for the adult child/children who is caring for them. ....

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Hot Weather Safety Tips for Older Adults

From our Care Blog

Extremely hot weather is in the forecast for many parts of the country.  If you have older family members or elderly neighbors living nearby, it is important to make sure that, as temperatures rise, they are protected from the extreme heat. Here are some great hot weather safety tips that the elderly, as well as their caregivers, can follow to make sure they stay cool and hydrated during these hot summer months. Drink plenty of cool water throughout the day and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Dehydration is the root of many heat-related health problems. Eat cooling, hydrating snacks like popsicles,...

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Understanding Scleroderma

From our Care Blog

Pronounced “skleer-oh-DUR-muh”, it is a disease that involves the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues – the fibers that provide the framework and support for your body. June is Scleroderma awareness month. The entire month has been dedicated to this disease because so few people know about it, but yet, there is an increasing number of people being diagnosed with the disease. And, since awareness of the disease is low, many researchers do not always receive the resources they need to better understand the cause, symptoms and find a cure. Scleroderma affects women more often than men...

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Stars, Stripes and Fireworks: Safety Tip For Summer Holidays

From our Care Blog

It’s officially summer. Time for outdoor family fun, celebrations and of course fireworks. If not handled properly, fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries in kids and adults. The best way to protect your family this summer from accidents is to not use them at home — period. Instead, attend public 4th of July celebrations, and leave the lighting to the professionals. It’s important to note that lighting fireworks at home might not be legal in your community, so if you still want to use them, be sure to check with your local police department first. If they're legal where you live,...

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