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Work and Care: The Delicate Balance Managed by Family Caregivers

The challenges of the family caregiver are gaining more visibility. But there’s one part of the family caregiving story that still needs much more attention: the struggles of the family caregiver who’s also maintaining a job. New data is giving us a clearer picture of the impact of caregiving on work-life balance, as well as employee productivity and performance. Let’s review that data, and explore opportunities for family caregivers to get more support during their 9-to-5. Working family caregivers are in good company. An estimated one-fifth of today’s working Americans are also family caregivers, which means they are, in essence,...

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A Lifeline for Those Caring for A Family Member

If you’re a family caregiver – a person who provides regular physical, emotional or household support to a loved one who is elderly, disabled, ill or recovering – you’re in good company. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, an estimated 43.5 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the past 12 months. But even with millions of other caregivers sharing their experiences, many family caregivers can feel overwhelmed, anxious and alone. In fact, a recent report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine concluded that “…family caregivers need more recognition, information...

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How to Balance Care with Independence for Your Loved One

by Molly Rowe We are often asked the question, how much space is safe when caring for a loved one? Is it safe to leave my husband with Alzheimer’s alone for a few hours each day? Can Mom be left alone overnight? Can Dad shower on his own? This question comes a few weeks into caregiving, when the loved one is out of crisis mode and asking for more independence, but still in danger of falling, not managing his diabetes, wandering, skipping meals, or whatever else might put him at risk. We, as caregivers, struggle because we want to give...

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Top 7 Myths About Home Care

Even though in-home care services have been readily available for more than two decades, home care is still very often misunderstood.  To help clear up any confusion you might have about how home care can help you or an aging family member, here is the truth about the 7 most common myths about home care: Myth #1: Home Care is only for the very ill Truth: Most home care recipients are not ill at all.  In fact, while there are home health care services for people who might be coping with chronic conditions, most people utilize non-medical home care to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) like eating, bathing, personal...

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Our "Busy Family Service" Helps Families Save Time and Money

As a busy mom and business owner, I understand how important it is to have balance in your life. But with a full-time career, two busy teenagers and commitments at church and to community organizations, balance is rarely possible.  There simply is never enough time to get everything done, let alone done well. Have you ever dreamed, like I have, about being able to be two places at once? Just picture this!  While you spend your day at work, followed by running your kids to all of their various sports and after-school activities, someone you trust is at your house, stocking the fridge, making arrangements for repairs, running your errands...

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The FirstLight Hospital Readmission Reduction Program

Healthcare reform initiatives have mandated reducing preventable hospital readmissions, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is now implementing reimbursement penalties to hospitals with relatively higher rates of Medicare readmissions. Under the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP), hospitals with readmission rates that exceed the national average are penalized by a reduction in payments across all of their Medicare admissions — not just those which resulted in readmissions. Fortunately, studies show that hospitals can engage in several activities to lower their rate of readmissions. For example, hospitals that clarify patient discharge instructions and coordinate with home care providers and patients’ primary care physicians have been able to achieve 20-50% reductions in hospital readmissions. The greatest...

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FirstLight Caregivers Complete Special Training Certification

[caption id="attachment_1135" align="alignright" width="350"] FirstLight Home Care Caregiver Kati Kepler received her Certification in Dementia Care and End of Life Care.[/caption] Caregivers at FirstLight Home Care — South Sound are continually taking training in addition to what's required for their CNA or HCA licenses by the State of Washington: Dementia Care Certification — This training program teaches how to provide outstanding care to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. End-of-Life Care Certification — Training to care for individuals at the end of their lives, focused on understanding of needs, grieving and loss as well as the unique concerns of the...

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A New Style, But the Same Quality Care

Lakefair marks the middle of summer here in the South Sound, and for the team at FirstLight Home Care — South Sound, it has been an exciting season so far! This month, a new website was unveiled that will help families find the services they need and the information they want more quickly and easily. As you can imagine, it takes a lot of work to update a website, but we hope that you will find it beneficial. If you haven’t had a chance to explore our new website yet, we encourage you to take some time to browse the information on the...

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Is Home Care the Best Choice for Your Loved One?

Rather than moving into a nursing home or long-term care facility as they age, studies consistently show most older adults prefer to stay at home for as long as possible. This may be the right choice for your loved one if they only need assistance with daily activities to maintain their independence. It’s perfectly natural for your aging loved one to want to stay at home as they grow older, where they are comfortable and independent. However, it's important to take the time to look at the big picture before deciding whether staying at home for the long term truly is the right decision for your family. Too...

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Rehabilitative Care that Restores Confidence and Independence

From injuries to necessary surgeries, getting the help your aging loved one needs after an operation can be difficult. More often than not, the responsibility places a heavy burden on your loved ones and the life-altering after effects can also result in post-operative depression. Rehabilitative Care services from FirstLight Home Care — South Sound can offer assistance for injured senior adults and those who need additional service to enhance their quality of life. For injured adults or those coming out of the hospital, rehabilitative and post-operative care is more than just physical therapy. Instead, it’s a personal service designed to help individuals recover...

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