Alzheimer’s and
Memory Loss

10 Inspiring Quotes for {Caregivers}

From our Care Blog

Caring for another person is selfless and quite rewarding. But it also can be a heavy responsibility, whether you're a family member caring for a loved one or a professional caregiver working with a client. Oftentimes the stress that comes with being a family caregiver can make it difficult to maintain a positive attitude. Here we share 10 inspirational caregiver quotes to help bring comfort, joy and positivity to all the caregivers out there who may need a little inspiration from time to time. Do you have a favorite inspirational quote? Comment here or head to the FirstLight Facebook page...

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Summer Sun Safety for Seniors

From our Care Blog

In times of extreme heat, it’s especially important to protect our elderly loved ones. At FirstLight Home Care, our mission is to keep seniors safe, healthy and happy in any conditions. If you or an elderly loved one must be in the heat this summer, here are seven  sun safety tips to help you stay safe and cool. 1. Put on Proper Clothing: The best summertime clothing for seniors is something loose, lightweight and made of a breathable fabric. Light colors are also best. Long sleeves can protect skin against the sun. And wide-brimmed hats protect your face and neck....

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What’s the Best Advice Your Dad Has Given You?

From our Care Blog

Father’s Day is this Sunday. In celebration of all the dads out there - and the impact they have on our lives - we asked FirstLight Home Care team members to share the paternal words of wisdom that have proved to be true in their lives over the years. The response from our owners and other team members was inspiring! Here are more than a dozen great pieces of fatherly advice from our very own FirstLight family. My father taught us kids to drive. There were four of us. Dad was always very calm. He always said, "Keep right on the...

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Living with Parkinson's Disease

From our Care Blog

Living with Parkinson’s disease can be challenging. But there are ways to help improve your quality of life. At FirstLight® Home Care, we understand the impact Parkinson's Disease has on patients and their loved ones. Tremors, stiffness, loss of balance, and depression can lead to isolation and poor quality of life. Discovering the right medications, complementary therapies and support are ways to stay independent and even enhance your quality of life. April is Parkinson’s Awareness month. There are more than one million Americans living with Parkinson’s disease, and most are doing everything they can to proactively affect the course of...

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Family Caregivers Can Balance Career, Caregiving

From our Care Blog

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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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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New Law Involves Caregivers of Veterans During Transition Out of Military

From our Care Blog

FirstLight Home Care recently learned of news regarding the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018 and additional assistance for veterans and caregivers of veterans. The following information was published on ConnectingVets.com: Thanks to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018, service members who are transitioning out of the military will have more assistance for them and their caregivers. Currently, caregivers of veterans are not involved when veterans are going through pre-counseling to learn about their VA benefits. The new law encourages the DoD and VA to work together to better integrate caregivers into the conversation around veteran’s and caregiver’s resources...

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Caring for Your Lonely Parent

From our Care Blog

Do you have a lonely parent who is struggling with feelings of isolation or depression? Are you having a hard time getting them to leave the house and enjoy social activities? With age comes an increased risk of loneliness and social isolation. And it can be even more prevalent in seniors who either cannot or do not want to leave their homes. This can be problematic for seniors because loneliness can often result in depression and ultimately additional health problems. Several factors may be keeping your lonely parent somewhat secluded and feeling down: They are no longer able to drive,...

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Maintaining a Positive Attitude as a Family Caregiver

From our Care Blog

Maintaining a positive attitude as a family caregiver can be difficult, especially when the role becomes overwhelming. Staying optimistic can help family caregivers cope, reduce stress and make it easier to get through the tough days. Here are some tips we often provide to our FirstLight Home Care caregivers to help them keep their amazing, positive attitudes. These may also help you - the family caregiver - to remain confident, hopeful, and encouraged when it comes to your own personal caregiving responsibilities. Learn healthy ways to manage your stress: Stress happens when you believe the demands placed on you –...

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How to Avoid Sibling Caregiver Conflict

From our Care Blog

In November, we celebrate National Home Care and Family Caregivers Month, two observances that are core to FirstLight Home Care. Throughout the month, our FirstLight blog will focus on providing the tools, tips, resources and peace of mind so many family caregivers need. We invite you to comment and share the challenges and rewarding experiences you’ve encountered throughout your caregiving journey.  How to Avoid Sibling Caregiver Conflict If not kept in check, sibling caregiver conflict can damage family relationships When it comes to caring for the needs of an aging parent, it can be helpful to share caregiving responsibilities with your...

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