Senior
Health & Wellness

LIVE LONGER AND STRONGER: Tips to aging gracefully

From our Care Blog

Our friends over at the National Institute of Aging have put together a pretty awesome list of benefits that as you age, healthy eating and exercise can improve the following: Increase mental acuteness Help resist disease and injury Offer faster recovery Yield higher energy levels Boost a functioning immune system Provide better management of chronic health problems So what can you do?First, speak to your doctor about your current eating and exercise routine. Get their recommendations. The National Institute of Aging promotes these basic things: Eat smart - less salt, more fiber, more fruits and veggies. Add exercise into your...

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FirstLight Home Care Supports National Safety Month.

From our Care Blog

June is National Safety Month. Following are some practical tips to keep our aging family members living on their own safe, and contribute to their well-being. This might surprise you - according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than a third of adults ages 65 and older fall each year. Statistics show that every 18 to 20 seconds an older adult ends up in the emergency room because of a fall, many of which happen in their own homes. Most elderly people living at home do not take the appropriate safeguards within their home to...

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Seniors: Walk Your Way to Health

From our Care Blog

We all know we should exercise, but we have a million excuses why we don’t. There’s not enough time. Your aches and pains prevent it. The weather outside doesn’t permit it. It’s important to get moving and stay moving no matter how old you are. However, did you know that to burn off one plain M&M candy, a person would need to walk the entire length of a football field? That inactivity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., second only to tobacco use? Walking is the most popular form of exercise in the United States....

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Be Optimistic Even In The Face of Grim News

From our Care Blog

There are those who see the glass half full and others who see the glass half empty. At FirstLight Home Care, we always see the glass half full with hope. Did you recently receive a cancer diagnosis? Have a chronic debilitating illness? March is National Optimism Month, and as hard as it is, you have to try and maintain a positive attitude. You have to take all your negative thoughts and stuff them under your mattress where you can’t see or reach them. My Mom was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus when she was 20-years-old and had a colostomy...

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Ways to Make In-Home Care Easier

From our Care Blog

There's no question providing care at home for a loved one is a hard job. Having good resources at hand, both products and services, is a big help. Here are a few of the resources available for patients and for the people who help to take care of them. Oxygen Concentrators Oxygen therapy can be a difficult burden for patients and caregivers to take on, especially when first starting. Managing bulky tanks can be physically difficult and seriously limit patient mobility. Having sufficient oxygen supplies on hand is also a work-intensive chore. New oxygen therapy devices called oxygen concentrators are...

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Five Tips for Seniors for Good Bone Health

From our Care Blog

Millions of Americans age 65 and older suffer from a condition called osteoporosis, which weakens the bones and makes them more likely to fracture. As people age, their bones become more brittle, and fractures could lead to great pain, loss of mobility or force people into assisted living. Fractures can also require surgery, such as hip replacement, which can lead to additional complications. Maintaining bone health is also important because osteoporosis is a disease that sneaks up on people and often times has no symptoms until a fracture occurs. Adopting healthy personal habits is important for people to avoid having...

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5 Senior Friendly Remodels That Won't Break The Bank

From our Care Blog

Living well during your golden years is something of a double-edge sword.  You now have the time to fill your days pursuing hobbies and interests that were put on hold due to other life demands.  The other side of the coin – the possibility of failing health or a fall – needs to be addressed before disruptions push your new found pursuits aside for good.   Moving to a care facility or a smaller, accessibility friendly home isn’t much of a choice.   In economically challenging times, there’s a reason why remodeling your home, including additions like stair lifts and walk-In showers/tub...

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Always Be Prepared: What To Do When A Natural Disaster Strikes

From our Care Blog

Did you know that September is National Preparedness Month? Being prepared for any type of emergency or natural disaster is important for everyone, but is especially important for seniors. Because each senior’s needs are different, it is essential that each individual have a unique emergency plan that fits all of your needs. If an emergency or disaster occurred today, would you be ready? So, how can you prepare your loved one for an emergency? 1. Make an emergency kit This kit should contain basic essentials like food, water, a flashlight, a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a first aid...

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How Can I Age Healthier?

From our Care Blog

It’s September. That means that this month is Healthy Aging Month, designed to help promote the positive aspects of growing older. Healthy Aging Month encourages individuals to take responsibility for their own physical, mental, social and financial health. Health is extremely important at any stage in life, but becomes even more essential as you begin to age. So, what can you do to take advantage of Healthy Aging Month? Head back to school. You are never done learning and, what better way to improve your mental health than expanding your knowledge? Take courses at a local college or university; you...

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Essential Exercises for Seniors

From our Care Blog

For seniors, physical activity is essential. A regular exercise routine can help to boost your energy, relieve stress and manage symptoms of illness and pain. Being inactive can be extremely risky, making it hard to do even the simplest task. Your exercise doesn’t have to be a hassle—you don’t need to join a gym or buy any special equipment, everything you need to exercise can be found around the house. There are four main areas of exercise that seniors should focus on to stay healthy: 1. Cardio and Endurance For seniors, the best cardio and endurance exercises are swimming, walking and cycling....

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