Thriving
at Home Column

What Being ‘The Best’ Means to Us

Thriving at Home (April 2016) by Sarah Lane When my husband, Greg, and I told our friends and family we had decided to open FirstLight Home Care – South Sound, they kept asking us the same question – “What’s your plan?” We heard it over and over again.  And since neither of us had ever started a business before, it was a genuine sincere inquiry.  But we didn’t decide to start a local home care agency on a whim. Both of us had experience in successful organizations, I had worked previously placing caregivers in the homes of seniors and Greg...

Learn More about What Being ‘The Best’ Means to Us

What Makes FirstLight Caregivers Different?

Thriving at Home (March 2016) by Sarah Lane It is the question most often asked of me by potential clients: What makes FirstLight caregivers better than other home care agencies? The answer is both simple and challenging. Since my husband, Greg, and I opened FirstLight Home Care here in Olympia, our hometown, our objective from the beginning has been simple – hire only the very best caregivers to care for our clients.  We understand the challenges families face when searching for care for their loved ones.  We know, for your peace of mind, it’s essential to find a care partner...

Learn More about What Makes FirstLight Caregivers Different?

Aiding Your Post-Surgical Recovery at Home

by Sarah Lane Two years ago, my husband had surgery to repair an abdominal injury. These days, most elective procedures, as well as many medically necessitated ones, are either done as out-patient procedures or patients are sent home after very short hospital stays. Following his surgery, there was no way my husband could take care of himself after returning home. For nearly a week, he was confined to bed and needed assistance with all basic needs. Preparing food, changing clothes, showering, physical therapy – he simply could not have done any of these activities on his own. Fortunately for us,...

Learn More about Aiding Your Post-Surgical Recovery at Home

A Valuable Resource for Family Caregivers

Thriving at Home (January 2016) by Sarah Lane The challenge of “family caregiving” – providing care for a spouse, parent, child or friend with a chronic, disabling or serious health condition – is becoming nearly universal.  A report issued last year by the Public Policy Institute of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) estimated that there are now 40 million family caregivers in the United States who provide 37 billion hours of care to aging loved ones with limitations in daily activities. Being a family caregiver for a loved one takes time, effort and work, and is both rewarding and...

Learn More about A Valuable Resource for Family Caregivers

Some Holiday Gift Ideas for Loved Ones with Dementia

Thriving at Home (December 2015) by Sarah Lane Shopping for holiday gifts for friends or family members suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia can be tricky. You may be unsure about what they enjoy or what they’re capable of doing. When choosing a gift, think about their personality, their hobbies, their abilities and their favorite pastimes. As someone trained to care for those with dementia, here are a few gift suggestions I know work well: A family calendar. Give your loved one a personalized calendar that includes pictures your family — grandchildren, children, nieces, nephews, cousins, anyone who is close...

Learn More about Some Holiday Gift Ideas for Loved Ones with Dementia

Accepting Assistance is the Key to Remaining Independent

Thriving at Home (August 2015) by Sarah Lane Remaining independent doesn’t mean you have to be self-sufficient and do everything yourself. Knowing your limitations and when to ask for help is often the key to prevent injury and retain your quality of life as one ages. Repeated surveys show seniors prefer to remain at home and age in place. Most people prefer to live in their own Olympia home and community where they can live by their own rules, stay near to their friends and remain in a place that is familiar. To remain at home, many adults need only a small...

Learn More about Accepting Assistance is the Key to Remaining Independent

Being a Good Friend in the Face of Illness

Thriving at Home (June 2015) by Molly Rowe A friend once told me that she no longer visits a family member with Alzheimer’s because “it’s too hard on him not to remember me.” While there may be truth to this statement, I’m guessing it’s harder on her not to be remembered. Death and illness bring on a slew of negative feelings—sadness, fear, guilt, discomfort—and it’s not always easy to be a good friend with all those emotions going on inside. One of the reasons I fell in love with my husband was his ability to face uncomfortable situations—especially illness and death—head on. When...

Learn More about Being a Good Friend in the Face of Illness