The FirstLight Care Corner

Mother's Day Gift Ideas - FirstLight Home Care

From our Care Blog

“Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.” This telling quote from Oprah Winfrey is a great segue into the celebration of Mother’s Day and what it has to offer your family, friends, children and of course, moms. If you are preparing to spend time with Mom this Sunday, enjoy these last minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas from FirstLight Home Care! As caregivers, we know that moms can sometimes go uncredited for everything they do, which is why we want to help you make their Mother’s Day one to remember. If you still haven’t gotten your mom a...

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4 Healthy Ways to Handle Stress

From our Care Blog

Stress is a universal problem that’s more than just a nuisance.  The American Institute of Stress indicates that not only is stress the basic cause of 60 percent of all human illnesses and disease, but it causes 10 percent of strokes, three out of four doctor visits, and reduced grey matter in regions of the brain tied to emotional and physiological functions. Being able to properly handle stress is an important way to help maintain overall good health. Because stress is so damaging, April is Stress Awareness Month and everyone, from teenagers to retirees, are encouraged to recognize what causes...

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How Earth Day Can Benefit Your Life

From our Care Blog

Welcome to April 22, otherwise known around the world as Earth Day. First celebrated 46 years ago, this annual event is a day where people from California to Sydney are encouraged to come together and channel energy to help the environment become even more beautiful and sustainable. For your entire family and all the loved ones you care for, Earth Day is a great opportunity to celebrate your surroundings and improve your health at the same time. So, if you’re looking for ways to celebrate this global day of goodwill, here are some top tips from our team of caregivers:...

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3 Springtime Caregiving Tips You Need to Know

From our Care Blog

With spring officially here and even warmer weather right around the corner, outdoor activities and fun in the sun are surely on your mind. But what about your loved ones in need – how can they enjoy spring and avoid being cooped up during this popular season? For caregivers around the nation, both family and professionals, spring is the perfect time to invigorate the men and women they care for. However, it’s important to be mindful of limitations and conditions so everyone can benefit from the beautiful scenery and fresh air. Here are three springtime caregiving tips that will help...

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What Can Companion Care do for Your Loved Ones?

From our Care Blog

When you think of caregiving, what comes to mind first? While you may think of medical and personal assistance, caregiving does not always equate to nursing care. For many aging Americans or in-need adults, simply having a companion is all that’s required to maintain a comfortable level of independence. For moments like these, professional companion care can help. Rather than strictly medical assistance, this helpful service places a caregiver with your loved ones so they can enjoy life with a little extra help around the house or even out and about. Here’s what companion care can do for your loved...

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3 Benefits of Respite Care

From our Care Blog

In a matter of moments, your responsibilities in life can shift from those of a full-time employee, to an unpaid caregiver. Whether it’s for an aging parent or recovering sibling, voluntary family aid is estimated to be worth $375 billion a year and 29 percent of Americans provide some sort of care to ill, disabled or aging family members or friends. While there’s no doubt you care deeply for your loved ones, caregiving is often a full-time job that can impact your personal wellbeing and work performance. However, you may not feel comfortable signing away complete caregiving responsibilities to a...

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6 Kidney Facts for National Kidney Month

From our Care Blog

Have you given much thought to your kidneys lately? These powerful organs regulate your body’s fluid levels, filter toxins from the blood, help in the production of red blood cells and much more – all in a matter of seconds. Despite this, the National Kidney Foundation estimates one in three American adults are currently at risk for developing kidney disease, leading the organization to deem March as National Kidney Month. Because staying healthy means keeping your kidneys strong, especially as you age, here are six facts about your kidneys: Blood filtering: Because kidneys serve as your body’s main filtration system,...

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The $41 Billion Problem with Hospital Readmissions

From our Care Blog

Before the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), hospitals were not penalized for patient readmission within the first 30 days of a discharge. This led to the American healthcare system spending $41.3 billion dollars in just 11 months to treat readmitted individuals. Today, even with the ACA’s readmission penalty, hospitalization makes up nearly a third of the $2 trillion spent on healthcare. While some readmissions are unavoidable, a large number can be prevented. This means at-risk individuals such as seniors, adults with disabilities, those recovering from injuries and veterans should be safeguarded from hospitalizations. Here are a few ways...

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Does Life Insurance Pay for Home Care?

From our Care Blog

Will life insurance pay for home care? For many, life insurance can be used to help cover the costs of long-term care.

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Keeping in Shape for National Nutrition Month

From our Care Blog

Between work and home life, there never seems to be enough hours in the day to pay attention to the little things (that can have a big impact!) like nutrition. Combined with increasingly sedentary lifestyles, this unhealthy trend has led to an overweight problem in America where 78 million U.S. adults are considered obese. To address this, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has designated March National Nutrition Month 2016 so Americans, young and old, can “savor the flavor of eating right.” So, if you are looking to get healthy with your own food or want to set a good...

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