Do you have a loved one with physical challenges or a chronic condition? Personal care can help with daily activities, like bathing, dressing, eating and getting ready for bed.At FirstLight Home Care, we always provide these services with the utmost care and respect, ensuring your loved ones dignity and comfort are maintained. We want to keep our clients looking and feeling their best and can achieve this in many ways, including help with:Getting Ready for the DayIf your loved one has trouble bathing or dressing, it can be awkward for you both when you try to help. Instead, let one of our professional caregivers step in to handle these situations. Youll have peace of mind knowing your loved ones personal needs are met in a way that reduces frustration and improves hygiene and safety.We offer experienced, compassionate professionals who know how to support your loved one in a way that makes them feel safe and comfortable. They can help in many areas of personal care and hygiene, including showering or bathing, dressing, shaving, assisting with brushing teeth, denture care and other areas.Getting Around During the DayFor many of our personal care clients, walking and mobility are a challenge. If that is true for your family member, our caregivers can keep them safe and ensure they always have the extra help they need. Common activities we assist with include:Getting into or out of bedGoing up or down the stairsGetting into or out of a vehicleSafely navigating the houseOur caregivers know how to help those with physical limitations in a way thats comfortable for them. You can rest assured knowing your loved one is in the capable hands of a professional who is watching out for their safety around the home.Good posture is important for proper circulation and digestion. Our caregivers can help your loved one maintain good posture during the day as theyre walking or sitting.. Whether theyre reading, eating or watching TV, our caregivers can offer reminders and help with repositioning.Eating Well and Maintaining a Proper DietOur caregivers can also help your loved one maintain a proper diet by shopping for groceries and preparing meals. We can follow specific requests or special diets (such as low sodium or heart healthy), so your loved one is consuming the right foods and is able to keep up their strength and health.With our personal care services, our team can also assist individuals while eating if they have any physical or mental challenges that prevent them from feeding themselves. Every step of the way, your loved one will be treated with extreme care and sensitivity, so they feel secure and respected.Getting Ready for BedJust as we do during a morning personal care routine, we can help your loved one prepare for bedtime. If they prefer to bathe or shower during the evening, we will provide the right level of support they need during the process. We can also help with dressing and undressing, dental care and getting into bed, so they are comfortable and get a good nights rest.Were Here When You Need Us with Personal CareWith personal care from FirstLight Home Care, we can meet a variety of scheduling needs. Our team can provide comfort, care and attention to your loved one all day, every day. Our caregivers can even stay overnight and will remain ready to respond to any immediate needs.In addition, if your family is looking for a respite break, were available to help during the days, evenings, overnight, on weekends and even during the holidays. Our services are offered on a part-time and full-time basis and can be adjusted at any time if your loved ones condition changes.Some of the people we provide personal care for include:Seniors. If you have an elderly loved one who needs extra support to live at home, our caregivers can help. We offer the daily and overnight assistance they need to remain in their homes, living as independently as possible and with complete dignity.Disabled Adults. If a loved one has a physical disability or mental limitations, our team can assist in many personal care areas, from meal preparation and eating to mobility, hygiene and more. We can also help during an upcoming trip with our travel companion service, providing the same level of personal care throughout the journey.Veterans. Our caregivers help veterans and their families in need. Whether your loved one was injured in the field and requires extra help during the day, or your spouse is deployed, you can trust our team for dependable and compassionate caregivers.Those Recovering. When a family member is recovering after surgery or an illness, we can take care of them in many ways, including with personal care. Theyll feel better, have more confidence and can get on the road to recovery.Whether you need us for a few hours each week, during the day or 24/7, were happy to create a personalized care plan that meets your needs and provides the right level of help and support, wherever you call home.

BE THE DAUGHTER AGAIN!10 Ways to Take Care of Yourself While Caring for Someone ElseMillions of Americans take care of a friend or family member with a serious health condition. Being a caregiver is a labor of love, and it can be stressful. Here are 10 helpful hints for reducing stress, so you can be an effective caregiver and still have a little time for yourself.1. PLAN OUT MEDICATIONSStart by making a visual chart to organize all medicines, vitamins and supplements that your care recipient takes. Include notes on dosage, its purpose, when to take it, and any special instructions. You could go another step and include the prescribing doctors name and phone number, and the date to order refills. At least once a week, fill up medication dispenser(s) with all daily medications. Categorize them by times, such as morning, afternoon, evening, and bedtime. Include any pictures or visual references that help you and your loved one remember what, when and how to take them, such as a sun for morning or a depiction of what the pill looks like in shape, size and color (for example, a large pink circle or a small white and red oval).2. SCHEDULE GROCERY DELIVERYMany grocery stores offer online ordering and free delivery. Take advantage of this service so you can save the time you would be running errands to spend time with your loved one, or take some extra time for yourself.3. ORDER FROM A TRUSTED ONLINE PHARMACYSimilar to grocery delivery, many registered pharmacies offer online prescription refills, call-ins, and drive-through pickup service. You can even order online and have medications sent by mail. Be sure to use a registered pharmacy that you have vetted, as some rogue or scam sites have popped up recently. If you are in doubt,read more about choosing a safe online pharmacy.4. HIRE A CLEANING SERVICEHire a cleaning company for your home, or your loved ones home so you are not busy housekeeping on top of everything else. Caregivers often straddle two households and cleaning can be a lot to keep up with. Professional cleaning companies offer deep-cleaning services. Even if you pay for a service once a month, or every few weeks, it can offer peace of mind that one more thing is off your plate.5. RECRUIT OTHERSCaring for an older family member often requires teamwork. For example: one sibling might be local and take on primary caregiving responsibilities, while a long-distance caregiver can also have an important role. Long-distance caregivers can help by handling things onlinefor example, researching health problems or medicines, paying bills, or keeping family and friends updated. Dont underestimate the value of a phone and email contact list to help you easily delegate responsibilities or share updates.6. SCHEDULE FAMILY MEETINGSStart by defining the caregiving responsibilities. You could set up a family meeting and, if it makes sense, include the care recipient in the discussion. This is best done when there is not an emergency. A calm conversation about what kind of care is wanted and needed now, and what might be needed in the future, can help avoid a lot of confusion. Agree in advance how each family members efforts can complement one another, so that you can be an effective caregiving team. Ideally, each of you will be able to take on tasks best suited to your skills or interests.7. TAKE TIME OFFThink about your schedule and how it might be adapted to give you some respite from your primary caregiving responsibilities. Be realistic about how much you can do, what you are willing to do, and dont be afraid to schedule breaks for yourself. For example, you might coordinate holiday and vacation times with other family members, or call in home health aides. Remember that over time, caregiving responsibilities may need to be revised to reflect changes in your or your loved ones situation.8. CALL IN HOME HEALTHYour parent(s) or the person you care for may need increasing help to continue to live in their own home. Arrange for professional caregivers, such as home health, nursing aides, or companion care assistants to complement your caregiving responsibilities. Some people find it hard to have paid caregivers in the house, but most also say that the assistance is invaluable. If you are reluctant, remember that an in-home aide may leave you more energy to devote to caregiving, as well as some time for yourself. You can also try it for a short time, and then decide.9. SEEK SUPPORTDont forget to ask for emotional support from your spouse, or close friends. Words of appreciation, encouragement, and the simple act of listening may not seem like much, but they can make a world of difference. You can also seek out local support groups for caregivers, or join online forums. Having someone to talk with, vent, or just to hear encouraging words from can help you keep going when you start to feel burnt out.10. CREATE A PLANIn time, the person youre caring for may need to move to an assisted living or nursing home. If that happens, you can contact a navigation agency to help you select an appropriate senior living solution. CareMATRIX Senior Living Navigators offer a free service with a completely personal approach:We get to know you and your loved ones needsThen we help identify a range of appropriate living and/or care arrangementsCareMATRIX coordinates and accompanies you on all toursAnd we follow up with you and the care staff to assure long-term success

Lisa Graham is Agemarks Director of Human Resources. A member of the Agemark family since 2013, Lisa focuses on hiring and developing an engaged workforce a key to providing top-notch care for seniors. She is in a unique position as both an employee of a senior living company and an adult child of a father who lives with Alzheimers Disease and resides at CountryHouse, an Agemark memory care community.I remember getting a call from my mom. She was crying and did not know where Dad was. He had left the house in the middle of the night. We found him, but it was terrifying. Even more so because my dad had been diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease. My mom worked hard as his caregiver but was having a difficult time keeping dad safe. So, in August of 2016, we made the difficult decision to move him to memory care at CountryHouse in Omaha.Luckily, he settled in very quickly at his new home. I am so grateful to have an amazing community and wonderful, loving care for my dad as we walk the path of this horrible disease. Here are some of the reasons Im grateful for memory care.Caregiving is toughMy mom was his caretaker, but she hadn't been sharing how difficult it was with us. She had been battling terminal cancer and could barely take care of herself, but she insisted on caring for dad as well. The worry and stress took an extra toll on her health. My brother and I had no idea it was affecting her so much because she hid it from us. I know many caregivers suffer from guilt and stress when taking care of someone with Alzheimers and my family was no exception. Moving his daily care off our plate helped our family focus on our own health. My brother and I were relieved and so was my mom.He's happy and busyWith two kids and a full-time job, I knew there was no way I could keep Dad happy and occupied, and truly give him the care he deserved. The team at CountryHouse is so good at keeping him busy with fun, meaningful activities but only if he chooses to. Sometimes he can be a bit stubborn! His caregivers are so patient, kind and encouraging.He's safeDads community is secure, with locked doors to ensure safety. But with long hallways, multiple common areas and a large outdoor space, theres plenty of room for him to walk and wander. Gone are the days of us worrying about him leaving home and getting lost.He has people to monitor his health each dayAbout a year ago, dad contracted a UTI and pneumonia two things that seniors are particularly susceptible to. The staff identified these problems right away and got him to the hospital for treatment. He ended up needing rehab to recover. His experience in rehab was not positive. He would no longer talk and he wouldnt eat. The rehab suggested we move him to skilled nursing. Instead, my brother and I chose to move him back to his home CountryHouse. He was designated as being on hospice, which can mean someone is near the end of life. However, in just 4 weeks he was walking on his own again! I am so grateful for the expert care he has in place and how quickly they helped him recover.Im even more relieved my dad is in a safe environment during the coronavirus crisis. Now more than ever, we know that he is ok and has great care. Because visitor limitations are in effect and we cannot see him in person, its a relief to know he is loved by all who work there and that he feels right at home. Seeing photos and videos sent by staff members ensures us that hes happy and healthy, and relieves some of the guilt we feel by not being able to be there by his side.My dad no longer likes to even leave CountryHouse its very much his home and his comfortable place. Although it was a very difficult decision to move him at the time, looking back, we are 100% positive it was the right one for our family.

Many adult children in the US live far away from their parents. Managing aging parents or in-law medical events can be a serious challenge without proper preparation and understanding of what your parents' wishes may or may not be, no matter where you live. Do you know what legal documentation your parents have in place regarding their medical care? Do they have advance directives that can help guide your medical decision-making process? Do you and your spouse openly discuss the situations of each other's parents?Medical advancements increase the longevity for aging Americans, even those with comorbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, and other health issues. Hospitals can typically fix non-life-threatening conditions easily enough, but what happens when a parent is released to return home? Are you prepared? Is there a plan? Many adult children tend to practice avoidance, denial, and wishful thinking regarding their aging parents potential medical crisis. It is advisable to organize and prepare for the health changes that inevitably come as your parents age.More than ever, seniors are choosing to live independently and with autonomy regarding their life decisions. Even if your parents are in a well-run continuing care retirement community, there will come a day when their health will force a change in their lifestyle and living arrangements. Many parents will resist "help," which they may view to be interference. Whether they believe they are being a burden to you or they decline a geriatric care manager's services due to cost concerns, most older people do not want others interfering in their private affairs. The goal is to find a way to help while still affording your parents the dignity and respect they want and deserve. To achieve a comprehensive plan on your parents' behalf, travel to them for an honest discussion. If this is not possible due to COVID-19 restrictions, then virtual meetings are best, followed by phone calls. Review what legal paperwork your parents have and make sure it is in order. Many documents have a signature from many years ago, and things may have changed. The main health care related documents that should be kept current are the health care power of attorney, HIPAA and an advance directive/living will. If these documents have not been reviewed in at least 10 years, it is recommended that you call our office to set up a free consultation.Create an up-to-date list of all your parents' doctors. The list should include medical contact information and all medicines (prescription or otherwise) that they take. Post-hospital fog and newly prescribed medications from an adverse health event can create confusion in an older parent. Ask about the parameters for health care intervention, such as dialysis and post-hospital during the time of COVID-19. Explain to your parents that being released from a hospital for a non-life-threatening, yet serious health episode is usually followed by the need for a care manager, at-home nursing care, or companion care. This additional care should not fall to a spouse if the parents live together. A spouse has their own unique role to fill as well as personal health challenges with which to contend. Heaping an increased responsibility for spousal health care upon them may be damaging to their own well-being.Before an unforeseen medical crisis can occur, identify several qualified agencies in your parents' hometown. Review each agency and candidate carefully. It is easier to integrate a suitable candidate at the outset than having the chaos of retaining and releasing multiple workers. Remember that a candidate who works for one parent may not be another parent's preference in the future. Maintain a strong relationship with the agency provider. They are an essential resource, and you will probably need them in the future.Take the time to learn the specifics of your parents' healthcare and living arrangements. Coordinating your plan of response is contingent upon whether your parents live independently, in assisted living, or in a retirement community. Wherever it is your parents live, their first desire will likely be to go home after an unexpected hospitalization. The desire to return home is a universal truth. Knowing the agencies that can quickly provide the type of care your parent needs in their home setting will go a long way towards a successful transition. The road to recovery may require a few weeks of nurse visits, physical or occupational therapists, or simply companionship. The faster you can meet the need, the easier it will be on your parent.If a full recovery is not possible, what will be your plan to address the new status of their normal? How much more medical oversight and assistance will they require? Know that in these instances, a parent can quickly spend through Medicare allotments afforded for temporary care. If they do not have long-term care, and many aging Americans do not, you will have to find ways to help them receive the care that they require.If there are multiple adult children, is there an expectation that all siblings share information and work on the problems at hand, or is one in charge? Is this designation formally documented? Managing sibling relationships is key to avoiding family conflict. Also, understand your parents' financial arrangements. It is likely that your parents will ask about the cost of any new healthcare service being arranged and decline using it. It is hard for a parent to spend down the money they worked their entire life to amass.Knowing your parents' aging strategies will not address every issue you might encounter because they may not have all the necessary decisions and documents in order. You can only work within the authority they choose to provide. As attorneys, we can help identify gaps in their planning and recommend ways to fill those gaps so everyone can have peace of mind.If youd like to discuss ways we can help, please dont hesitate to reach out.To discuss your estate planning and long-term care Medicaid planning options, call (402) 614-6400 today to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. Visit our website at www.ElderLawOmaha.com.