16.1 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Caring for someone with dementia can be demanding and stressful if you’re not sure what to expect. If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, here are five suggestions that will help with your day-to-day responsibilities and overall care: Encourage your loved one to eat right. People living with dementia should consume a healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables. Proper nutrition is key to keeping their body strong and healthy. Remember that nutritious meals may become a challenge for people with dementia…

Read More - Advice for Those Caring for a Loved One with Dementia

Long-term stress of any kind, including caregiver stress, can lead to serious health problems. At FirstLight Home Care – South Sound we understand how stress impacts families. When a family member is ill, aging, disabled, or unable to complete daily tasks on their own, a family member may find themselves becoming the caregiver for their loved one. Caregiving is a 24/7 job and the stress from the demands can take its toll on the family member leading the care. We’ve seen it often and we offer a variety of resources to help support caregivers and their families with tools, tips and recommendations…

Read More - Stress on the Family Caregiver

The responsibilities of family caregiving is having a greater impact on the workplace than ever before, according to a study released jointly by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Most family caregivers in Olympia juggle caring for an aging family member or relative with employment. The study reports that the average U.S. caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who works outside the home and spends nearly 20 hours per week – the equivalent of another part-time job – providing unpaid care to an elderly person for nearly five years. An estimated 61 percent of family caregivers of adults age 50…

Read More - Family Caregiving Is Impacting the Workplace

Are you a military veteran – or the child of an aging veteran – who is in need of home care services in Olympia? The Aid & Attendance benefit may help reduce the cost of care. Many military veterans and their family are unaware of the Aid & Attendance benefits program for which they could be eligible. The Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension is a little-known existing benefit which helps reduce the cost of care for older veterans and their surviving spouses. Aid & Attendance is available to eligible veterans and spouses who require home care – including assistance with…

Read More - Is Your Aging Veteran Taking Advantage of their Aid and Attendance Benefit?

FirstLight Home Care – South Sound is delighted to announce that Stephanie Lane has been named our 2017 Caregiver of the Year! FirstLight co-owner Sarah Lane (no relation) called Stephanie “an amazing caregiver who is very deserving of our Caregiver of the Year award.” “She is kind, compassionate and extremely skilled,” explained Sarah. “She has a soft touch and works well with all clients, those needing lots of physical care and those needing mostly companionship or help around the house. Clients and families love her. Many have often told us she is the best caregiver they have ever had.” Originally…

Read More - Stephanie Lane Named FirstLight ‘Caregiver of the Year’

Tremendous responsibilities fall on the shoulders of family caregivers. Caring for an elderly parent or family member can be emotionally and physically draining. And for primary caregivers, it is often a 24/7, 365-day-a-year job. Taking any kind of break – let alone a planned vacation – seems impossible. Then when you begin to think about all the planning and preparation that is involved, you wonder if it’s even worth doing. The thought of taking time off from your caregiving duties also brings much worry. What if Mom falls? What if she forgets to take her medication? What if she needs…

Read More - Caring for an Aging Family Member? You Need a Vacation Too.