FirstLight Home Care

Caring for the people you love can be an honor, but it can quickly become an overwhelming task, too. It can be difficult to maintain your daily routine whether youre working, raising a family, or both while simultaneously caring for your aging parents. Its natural to want them to have the best possible care, and passing that responsibility to someone else can involve some hard decisions.Here are a few things to keep in mind while researching care for your parents:Assess their current needs:The first step to keep in mind is what your parents need physically and mentally. Think about the main tasks that seniors need help with: mobility, transportation, medications, personal care, and nutrition. Its not uncommon for seniors to require a little extra assistance for day-to-day tasks, but are they struggling more with a specific task? What about their mental health? Do you find that your parent is becoming forgetful, or maybe even lonely? There are multiple caregiving options available (personal care, memory care, companion care, travel care), so its important to take note of your parents needs before choosing a home care service. Once you have an idea of the type of care needed, you can delve into further research.Research financial aspects:A crucial step in the process of allowing your parents to age gracefully is to do your research on the financial commitment of senior care. There is no wrong way to finance home care; its just a matter of properly looking into each option. Consider exploring Medicare options, private pay, and government or community programs. If your loved one is a veteran, look into benefits they could potentially receive thanks to their service. Another option you could explore is a personal line of credit.A personal line of credit isa set amount of money from which you can borrow in a given time period, only paying interest on the amount that youve drawn. Knowing the different options available to you or whoever is funding the care is an essential part of the research process, so dont hesitate to get all the details on any financial option youre considering.Look for an extraordinary caregiver:It can be difficult to accept the fact that you need to find extra care for your parents because you cant do it all yourself. For many family members, it can be one of the toughest decisions to have to make. You want to find someone who will love and care for your parents the same way you do. This is arguably the most important part of the research process: dont settle for care thats anything short of extraordinary. This means that while researching care for your parents, take time to look for a caregiver who is patient, compassionate, detail-oriented, and present. Youll be able to rest easy knowing that the person you love the most is being taken care of by someone who has their best interest and wellbeing at the forefront. Remember that you know your loved ones and what their priorities are more than anyone else. Doing the proper research to ensure theyre taken care of physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially will help give you peace of mind in the future.

For many people, winter is full of family, friends and food. However, winter weather may make it more complicated to get out of the house, especially when an aging family member is the one driving. Seniors without traveling caregivers have to rely on their own vehicle for transportation, and they should be aware that driving in winter weather requires additional safety measures and extra care.Senior Travel Tips for Driving During the HolidaysWinterization Of VehiclesMake sure the brakes, headlights and windshield wipers are working properly. Also, check on the antifreeze levels, oil levels, gas tank levels and tires. It is important, especially for seniors, that the heater and defroster are fully functioning as seniors are more susceptible to the frigid winter temperatures.Avoid Road Closures and High Traffic TimesDuring heavy traffic periods, there are more people on the road and higher chances for traffic accidents. If the roads are bad, avoid using back roads and shortcuts. Many of these roads are less likely to be plowed or salted and may be more dangerous than well-traveled roads.Emergency PreparednessPut together an emergency kit to store in the trunk of the car, including:A blanketFood and waterA flashlight with extra batteriesA first-aid kitJumper cablesAn ice scraperSand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter to provide extra tire tractionExtra clothing, boots and glovesIf you are a family caregiver and dont feel comfortable with your family member driving in the winter weather, dont hesitate to ask for help. An elderly travel companion is the perfect plus-one to get your loved one from point A to point B safely.Family Caregiver Travel Tips There is no doubt the holidays can be demanding. For family caregivers, this time of year can be even more difficult due to less time and additional responsibilities. FirstLight Home Care has wrapped up some tips for traveling caregivers to help them make it through the holiday season with more joy and less stress.Establish ground rules.In advance of family arriving, make sure you communicate the physical and mental changes or abilities of the loved one in your care so there are no surprises. Its okay to plan for visits throughout the holidays but also plan for plenty of downtime for your loved and for you.Simplify.Ease the holiday chaos and burden by simplifying. Minimize holiday decorations in and around your loved ones home. Also, be aware that flashing lights can be frightening to some Alzheimers and dementia patients, while wires and decorative items can become tripping hazards.Plan ahead of time.The more you can do in advance of company arriving, the better it will be for you and the family member in your care.Encourage some of your family get-togethers to be potluck meals instead of cooking everything yourself.Stock up on groceries in the event of impromptu visits from friends and family.Purchase gift cards to have on hand for last-minute gift-giving needs.Hire a professional caregiver to help you with day-to-day activities around the home or with specific errands so that you have the time and energy to enjoy the holidays.Maintain routines.Keep your loved one on a regular routine as much as possible. Sticking with their daily habits of eating, sleeping and medication schedules will help with behavioral and emotional challenges, and it can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.Ask for assistance.Enlist the help of friends and family who may have time off during the holidays or who are in town visiting.Ask family members to help with grocery shopping.Have friends and family bring over meals that can be frozen in advance of upcoming gatherings.Ask a neighbor to help string up holiday lights.Ask family to help with wrapping gifts or take advantage of local gift-wrapping services.Hire traveling caregivers to come in and support you before, during and after the holidays.Remember self-care.The holidays can be a crazy time of year and it can be easy to let your own needs slip. However, it has been proven that when you take care of yourself, you take better care of others. Watch for these signs:Loss of motivation.Feelings of disconnection with your loved one, other relationships or work.Feeling depressed, irritable or hopeless.Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed.Hiring an elderly travel companion can help with burnout, in addition to reading a book, taking a long walk or having coffee with a friend.Benefits Of A Senior Travel CompanionElderly travel companions can be great during the winter months. Not only do they keep your loved ones awake and aware, but they can also help them navigate the slippery roads and get through heavy traffic. If your loved ones dont have someone to travel with in bad winter weather, make sure that you or someone else knows where theyre going, and they have a cell phone in case of an emergency.Firstlight Home Care Senior Travel Companion ServicesSenior travel can be merry with the help of traveling caregivers. Tis the holiday season! Its not just about surviving this time of the year its also about thriving. FirstLight offers a variety of services such as travel companionship to make visiting family and friends a breeze.

If youve ever considered a second career, now may be an ideal time to learn more about the career opportunities that are available in professional caregiving.Many adults who retire from their long-term jobs decide to embark on a second-act career. Caregiving as a second career can be extremely rewarding for individuals from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds.Caregivers for older adults are in great demand right now, and there are numerous openings for these positions across the nation.There is no denying the many rewards of caregivingIts fulfilling workIt provides the opportunity to build meaningful relationshipsYoull make an impact on the lives of people who need extra supportIt offers flexible schedulesYou dont need formal caregiving experienceYoull bring joy to othersAs a care professional with FirstLight Home Care, you get to do something that makes a difference in someones life. Our professional caregivers provide safety, comfort and companionship for the elderly and other adults who need support. But we do more than make a meal or help with mobility. We establish meaningful relationships built on trust and respect.Why youll love working for usWe have a caregivers-first mentality. Caregivers are the heart and soul of our company, and we do what it takes to show appreciation and recognition for their hard work.Ongoing support. Our local teams are very involved in the day-to-day of our clients and caregivers. We will be there to offer support any time, day or night.Communication is our priority.Caregiver training. Comprehensive training is provided in advance, and well match our caregivers with care recipients with which they are compatible.Flexible working hours and time off.Ongoing education opportunities. We offer a variety of free learning, development and recertification opportunities.Fair, competitive pay.Why youll be a great fit as a caregiverYou are service minded with a desire to help others have their best dayIts your nature to be empathetic, kind and trustworthyYou are a good listener with excellent communication skillsHappiness, laughter and having fun are important to youCaregiving is becoming a more common career choice for people looking for a second career or those who simply want to make a job change. We have seen that the following people make great caregivers:Senior citizensThose who have retired from a long-term careerSomeone with experience in customer serviceFormer restaurant employeesMilitary veterans

Many adults wonder when its time to find in-home care for a loved one. If you find yourself stopping over more often to check on your aging parents or other family members, now may be the time to look at senior home care options.During National Home Care and Family Caregivers Month, we want to recognize the more than 50 million family caregivers across America, according to AARP. Family caregivers investing their time is admirable and fulfilling. As your parents cared for and supported you, youre now returning the love youve received over the years. Eventually, you might begin to feel stress and frustration as youre spending more time with them while the rest of your life feels out of balance. Sadly, your loved one is probably also feeling the strain as they worry about their inability to live independently.If you notice that mom, dad or another at-risk family member requires more support than you can provide, what do you do?Signs It Might Be Time to Consider Senior Home Care & Caregiver ServicesWhen your loved ones needs have extended beyond a little bit of extra support, its a good time to consider in-home care. Here are some specific signs to look for as family caregivers:They Need Help with Personal Hygiene If youre noticing a change in your loved ones dressing or bathing habits, it could be an early sign of a decline in their health, particularly for those with dementia.Theyre Not Safe on Their OwnPotential safety issues are another warning sign its time to consider senior home care. Situations like multiple slips and falls, worsening health conditions, chronic forgetfulness or not eating regularly can be red flags that professional care is needed.Theyre Missing Doctors AppointmentsWith age, comes more visits to the doctor. If, however, your loved one is missing appointments because its not safe for them to drive, then consider an in-home care professional to help with transportation.Theyre Bored and LonelyChronic isolation has a negative impact on physical, emotional and mental health. If you struggle to carve out enough time in your day to keep your loved one engaged and in good company, its time to consider an in-home caregiver. Companion care can include visiting with your loved one, playing games or cards and having a meal together.Youre Seeing Changes in Their Personality If a loved one is acting differently or seems off, it could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. You might start to notice it in the form of erratic behavior, withdrawal from social conversation or trouble with basic housekeeping and maintenance.You Cant Keep UpThere are only so many hours in each day. Family caregivers have so much to balance. Its hard to keep up with your own family and home, as well as your loved ones. If its becoming increasingly difficult and exhausting to keep up with, consider hiring senior home care.Factors To Consider When Looking For A Home Care AgencyCaring for the people you love can be an honor, but it can quickly become an overwhelming task, too. Its natural to want your loved ones to have the best possible care and passing that responsibility to someone else can involve some hard decisions.Here are a few things to keep in mind while researching care for your parents:Assess their current needsThe first step to keep in mind is what your parents need physically and mentally. Its not uncommon for seniors to require a little extra assistance for day-to-day tasks, but are they struggling more with a specific task? What about their mental health? Do you find your parent is becoming forgetful, or maybe even lonely?There are multiple caregiving options available (personal care, memory care, companion care, travel care), so its important to take note of your parents needs before choosing a home care service.Look for an extraordinary caregiverIt can be difficult to accept the fact that you need to find extra care for your parents because you cant do it all yourself. While researching care for your parents, take time to look for a caregiver who is patient, compassionate, detail-oriented and present.How To Talk To Your Parents About Home Care      Because this is National Home Care and Family Caregivers Month, we want to highlight useful tips to help you to start the home care conversation with your loved ones:Do not wait for a crisis to start the conversation. Start talking about home care solutions now so that you can ask your loved one how they would like to address the issue when the time comes.Address your concerns.Be open and honest with your feelings and the challenges you have juggling your home life, career and their care. According to a recent study by Genworth, 55 percent of Americans say being a burden on their family is their biggest concern regarding long-term care issues. Take this into consideration when approaching your parent about accepting in-home help.Show Empathy.Change is scary. When talking with your parents, try to understand how they could be feeling. It is important to realize that this change may feel like they are losing control of their independence. By showing empathy and listening to them, it will allow for a conversation to occur where you can discuss alternatives that help them retain what control they have left.Focus on the advantages and benefits.Any conversation you have about caregiving should focus on why home care is a good thing. Instead of concentrating on why your loved one needs assistance, point out the benefits of having a caregiver there to support their personal needs and care.Explore home care options together.Include your aging parents in the process of finding the best solutions for them. Allow them to be a part of the decision-making process. Let them look at the options and even meet with the home care company prior to making any final decisions.Test the waters. Try hiring an outside caregiver for in-home help on a short-term basis for your respite care. This provides an opportunity to show your parents that having a caregiver is not something to fear and often leads to them being open to receiving ongoing care. FirstLight Home Care Senior Home Caregiver ServicesOut of the 50 million family caregivers in America, almost half are adult children helping their parents. While reflecting on National Family Caregivers Month, you may find this as good time to weigh your home care options. When youre ready to talk with your elderly parents or family members about the benefits of in-home support, FirstLight Home Care is here to support you. We will work with you to create a caregiving partnership that is built on trust, communication and a special understanding of your familys needs.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimers disease. Alzheimers is the most common form of dementia in the world and the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.It is projected that by 2050, the number of people living with the disease will rise to nearly 13 million as baby boomers continue to age and people are living longer overall. In fact, over the past decade, the average life expectancy has dramatically increased around the world. In the 1950s, the average global life expectancy was estimated to be 47 years. As of 2020, the global average life expectancy is 73 years, with the trend expected to grow to 77 years by 2050.Although the risk of Alzheimers disease increases with age, it is not a normal part of aging or something that should be expected in older people. We still have no cure for Alzheimers and it seems that our progress on developing medications and treatments for the disease has hit a standstill.Read more about the facts, Alzheimers research, and thedifficult path ahead for finding the cure

Having close friends and family is an important part of life. We spend years building the friendships and relationships that carry through our adult years. Social lives keep people happier and provide us with a safe haven from day-to-day stresses and challenges.But as people age, friends can start dropping away. People move on or their lives come to an end. It's also not out of the question to see formerly close friends and family members grow distant as caregiving eats into your time and energy.Caregiving can be stressful. But remember that friends are a precious resource.It's never too late to strengthen and maintain your support network, whether its fostering friendships, getting out of the house, or joining a family caregiver support group, you can start today.Read more about Nurturing Your Support Network on Todays Caregiver, which is where this article first appeared.