Understanding
Senior Care

Caring for Adults with Disabilities

From our Care Blog

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about developmental disabilities, teach the importance of inclusion and show that a successful life is possible. FirstLight Home Care is proud to advocate for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and we are honored to provide the assistance adults with disabilities need to live safe, fulfilling lives. More than 5 million Americans are estimated to have a developmental disability. Many of them need support with life activities such as self-care, mobility and independent living. FirstLight provides compassionate home care to help adults with disabilities achieve the independence they desire and...

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Family Caregivers Can Balance Career, Caregiving

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Family Caregiver – noun | fam·i·ly care·giv·er One who takes care of a member of his or her family, often a senior parent or disabled relative; someone who is responsible for attending to the daily needs of another person. According to an AAPR Public Policy Institute study, the average U.S. family caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who provides unpaid care of nearly 20 hours per week to her mother for nearly five years. The life of working family caregivers can be difficult. Caring for a loved one while also working a paying job is time-consuming and it's physically and emotionally demanding....

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Small Changes Can Lead to Lifetime of Heart Health

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“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." - American author Robert Collier Small changes matter. That is true of many things in life, even when it comes to taking action to maintain heart health. Applying small changes at an early age can have positive, lasting effects. And making those changes before developing a chronic condition, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, is key. Why is this so important? Because heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S. And most Americans aren’t even aware that they could be at risk...

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Cardiovascular Disease: Who is at Risk?

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February is American Heart Month, an ideal time to commit to making small changes that can lead to a lifetime of heart health. Know your cardiovascular disease risk. Cardiovascular disease (also known as heart disease) remains the leading global cause of death for men and women, with more than 17.3 million deaths each year. That number is expected to rise to more than 23 million by 2030. There are several types of cardiovascular disease, including: Heart failure: sometimes called congestive heart failure, this means the heart isn't pumping blood as well as it should. Arrhythmia: an abnormal rhythm of the...

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Understanding the Aid & Attendance Benefit for Veterans

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Are you a military veteran in need of home care? 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 eating, bathing, and medication reminders – even if the assistance is not a direct...

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What is Glaucoma? Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

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Glaucoma is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye. That extra fluid increases eye pressure, damaging the optic nerve. It also can result in partial to complete loss of vision. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. It can occur at any age but is more common in older adults. The two most common types of glaucoma are primary open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Symptoms of Glaucoma Most people with this disease have no early warning signs, and often no...

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Healthy Eating for Seniors: 6 Ways to Eat Well as You Age

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Healthy eating for seniors is an important part of their overall health and well-being. Eating a well-balanced diet is critical as they age. Proper nutrition provides the necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, and it can help maintain a healthy weight. Eating right can also lower the risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. Also keep in mind that as your parent, grandparent or other senior loved one gets older, their nutritional needs, diet and appetite may change. For example, they may need fewer calories because of a slower metabolism. They may experience a loss...

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Eye Care: 5 Healthy Habits for Aging Eyes

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A look at some common age-related eye health problems and several healthy eye care tips that can help protect your vision as you age. Changes in vision can occur in your later years. As you reach the age of 60 and beyond, you can develop eye diseases and age-related eye health problems that could lead to vision loss. Sometimes these diseases present no symptoms and you may not even realize that you are experiencing changes in your vision until it’s too late. By getting regular eye exams and maintaining healthy habits for aging eyes, you have a better chance of...

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Alzheimer's Disease Early Warning Signs

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Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be an Alzheimer's disease early warning sign or a symptom of another dementia. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. The disease is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. There are 10 Alzheimer's disease early warning signs and symptoms that should not be ignored. People experiencing any one of these should see a healthcare professional. This previous post [Know the 10 Signs of Alzheimer's: Early Detection Matters], one of the most-read posts...

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Family Caregivers Need Vacations Too

From our Care Blog

We talk about it all the time – the tremendous responsibilities that fall on family caregivers. Caring for an elderly parent 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?...

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