Is a loved one having trouble with dressing, bathing or mobility on their own, or are they missing doctors appointments? These arered flagsthat its time to consider in-home care.If in-home care is something you want to explore, you need to find a company you can trust. This certainly takes time and effort. However, it will be well worth it when you have access to experienced and compassionate caregivers who will treat your loved one like family. The caregiver(s) you choose will also meet your loved ones practical needs, whether its with meal preparation, mobility, housekeeping or in a range of other ways.The question is: where do you begin? Heres how to start the process of finding an in-home caregiver:Step 1: Identify Your Loved Ones In-Home Care NeedsBefore you reach out to an in-home care company or individual caregiver, make sure you know what your loved one needs. Are they relatively independent and simply require some help with light housekeeping, meals and companionship? Or do they need more extensive care and support?In addition, if they have health conditions, like dementiaor diabetes, youll want a caregiver who has specific experience with these diseases. Some common activities caregivers assist with include:Bathing and showeringPersonal hygiene and groomingDressingToileting and incontinenceMobilityEatingStep 2: Ask for Referrals for In-Home CareGetting recommendations from friends, family or your loved ones doctor is a great way to find in-home care you can trust. If someone you know has worked with a company or a caregiver who performed exceptionally well, youll know to put them on your list to consider. Likewise, if they had a negative experience, you can keep that in mind during your search.You can also use the federal governments free locator website, Eldercare Locator. Once you have a few options in mind, research them online so you can learn more about their services, experience and reputation.Step 3: Consider an In-Home Care Company Rather Than an IndividualWhen looking for in-home care, you can work with a company who employs professional caregivers. You can also find a caregiver on your own through a staffing agency or online.However, keep in mind, when you work with a company, theyll perform rigorous screening and background checks. Theyll also make sure caregivers are carefully trained and have the right experience to meet your loved ones needs. In addition, if your loved ones condition changes over time, a company will serve as a trusted partner who can help modify and adjust care as needed. You wont have to worry about finding additional or different caregivers with more specialized expertise.Step 4: Ask About Caregiver Screening and ExperienceOnce you are ready to talk with in-home care companies, ask about their screening and hiring process. Youll want to ensure they are performing a thorough background check, including checking driving records, criminal histories and references.Most companies will have a team member schedule an in-home visit at your loved ones home. During that time, youll be able to ask these and other questions, so you can determine if the caregiver can provide the kind of help you are seeking.Some additional questions to ask during this process include:What level of training and experience do your caregivers have?How will you ensure a good match between my loved one and their caregiver?When are they available and what are my scheduling options?What is the price for your services?If possible, make sure your loved one is part of this process. Theyll have their own questions to ask and will feel more comfortable in the long run when theyre involved in the selection of their caregiver.Step 5: Have a Trial Period with Your In-Home CaregiverOnce you have one or more caregivers in place to provide in-home care, consider a trial period. This will help you evaluate whether theyre a good fit for your loved one. It will also allow time to ensure the services being provided are at the right level and frequency.Make sure youre checking in with your loved one regularly to ask how the situation is going and to see if they have any concerns. Once the trial period is over, you can adjust care as needed.

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.

Its well-documented that caregivers often suffer from emotional and physical health problems because of their overwhelming caregiving duties. According to theMayo Clinic, caregiver stress is common. In fact, one in three American adults cares for a family member, and this figure is sure to rise.a caregiver, you might not realize you're facing caregiver burnout, but friends and family are often the first ones to notice that your behavior is different. Luckily, these folks can be your greatest supporters during the caregiving journey. Here are three factors that may indicate you're facing caregiver burnout. You have a short fuse. When we try to do too much and are feeling overwhelmed, we often lash out at those around us. If you find yourself being grumpy or snippy, having a short fuse or getting easily frustrated with people and life, you may be experiencing caregiver overload. To combat this behavior, take a deep breath and count to 10 before reacting to any situation. Those 10 seconds can give you a much-needed mental health break, and its a great way to start a meditation practice. Imagining you are in a happy place and breathing intentionally could help you be better prepared to handle stressful situations with grace.You are withdrawing from social gatherings. If you are feeling that you just don't have the energy or desire to attend family gatherings or meet up with friends, you may be experiencing caregiver burnout. Caregivers often take on way more responsibilities than they can handle, leaving them feeling that they have no time for themselves. This can lead to feelings of sadness and even depression. Self-care is not selfish. Your loved one may need you, but you also need to be healthy and happy to be the best caregiver you can be. That does not mean you have to be on 24/7. Take time for yourself by asking friends and family to take over caregiving duties one day a week, so you can attend an exercise class, take a hike, get a massage, read a book or just sleep in. The little things matter to caregivers and any help is appreciated. You are getting sick more often and not fully recovering. Burnout results in a lowered immune system, making you a target for illness. According to Health Central, long-term caregiving can shorten your life by about eight years. Thats a sobering statistic and one that needs to change. If you find yourself getting sick a lot or never fully feeling 100%, you may need to take some time off to regroup. The best caregiver is a healthy caregiver. If you are sick, you cant fully care for your loved one. And being sick around an older adult can pose a threat to them too. Its common for caregivers to put their loved ones above themselves, but that is a slippery slope and can backfire. Caregiving is not for the faint of heart. Its hard work and can be a rollercoaster of emotions. But you can handle it with a little self-care, and a little help from your friends and family.

Its no secret that caring for an aging family member can be a very stressful role. But that doesnt mean that caregivers and their loved ones cant spend a few moments of the day finding the humor in life. For caregivers, laughing can be a lifesaver. According to research by the Mayo Clinic, data suggests that laughter really is some of the best medicine out there. For caregivers, laughter is the best medicine. In the short term, laughter:Enhances your oxygen intake, which stimulates the heart, lungs and musclesIncreases the production of endorphins, which helps relieve stressSoothes tensions by stimulating circulation and muscle relaxation, which reduces the physical symptoms of stress.In the long term, laughing:Improves your immune system. Both positive and negative thoughts produce chemical reactions in the body. Replace that negative energy with the release of neuropeptides that fight stress and are released when the brain experiences positive energy, such as laughter.Relieves pain. As mentioned above, laughter releases endorphins. These hormones work as a natural pain reliever because they produce dopamine that helps us feel happy and stimulated.Improves your mood. Lets face it when you're laughing, bad thoughts get pushed out of your mind. Not only does it help you cope with the situation at hand, but laughter also improves your self-esteem.Medical research aside, anyone who has experienced prolonged laughter knows that it just feels good to giggle and joke with loved ones. To help you and your senior loved one manage the many activities involved in caregiving, here are some ways to introduce humor into your daily routine:Search for the funny. Whether you find funny anecdotes in articles to relate to your loved one, tell a joke or two, or watch comedies on television, set aside time during the day to simply enjoy one another's company.Get online. There are endless appropriate videos of funny events on YouTube and other video streaming services that you and your senior can enjoy. Ask your loved one to tell you funny stories. Your senior probably has some funny stories from their youth they would be happy to tell. Most people don't get through life without something hilarious happening along the way and reliving them can often be just as funny. Consider laughter yoga. Laughter yoga is a real practice where people laugh as a group. The laughter is forced, at first, but soon turns spontaneous. If you've heard the saying, Laugh and the world laughs with you then you can understand the motivations behind laughter yoga.Laugh at daily life. Don't be afraid to laugh when something funny happens during your daily routine. Caregiving can provide rich opportunities for the funny to simply happen and its not irreverent to laugh when it does. Just be careful to laugh with your loved one and not at them. Invite friends over. If you or your loved one has entertaining friends, feel free to have them over for lunch or dinner. Not only does having a new face break up the routine for a much-needed change but having a funny or entertaining exchange makes the visit that much more enjoyable. Get silly. Don't be afraid to mix it up. Try on funny wigs and outfits, dance around the room laugh out loud. Acting somewhat silly can often break up the monotony of daily life. And if it gets the people around you to laugh as well, then the more the merrier.For most caregivers, this chapter in their lives and in the lives of their senior is often the last moments in time they will be spending together. Joy can be found in simple things: a joke, a shared funny moment or time spent watching hilarious videos. The act of caregiving can often make you feel overwhelmed, anxious or even depressed. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects that are too often a part of caregiving, a good laugh can push those negative thoughts out of your mind and help you find the simple joy in caregiving.

For many older adults, the past year has been a difficult one filled with social isolation and loneliness. Its led to a more sedentary lifestyle and less time exercising, especially if their previous schedule involved going to a gym or working with a trainer. This, in turn, has triggered an overall decline in senior health, particularly in the areas of anxiety and depression.Exercise can be the key to healthy aging, especially during pandemic times. Beyond improving mental health, exercise is important when it comes to strengthening the immune system and lowering risks for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and issues with cognition and memory. Movement and exercise are also vital for those with joint issues, pain and arthritis.Another reason to get moving: Senior Health & Fitness Day is May 26, 2021The good news is that with the weather breaking and COVID-19 vaccine access on the rise, its a great time to start fresh with a senior fitness program. Plus, with National Senior Health and Fitness Day just around the corner on Wednesday, May 26th its yet another reason to get moving. Where do you begin?Start SmallWhen it comes to senior fitness, aim for around 30 minutes of physical activity per day to start. If thats too much at once, break it up into smaller chunks. For instance, go for one 15-minute walk in the morning and one 15-minute walk in the afternoon. Work on improving your endurance and build up to exercising in full 30-minute blocks.In addition, incorporate other activities into your day that add more motion and exercise. If youre watching TV, for instance, take breaks to get up and move by doing things like:Walking laps around your houseSimply stand up from a seated position several times during a commercial breakUse weights to do upper body exercises while watching TVOver time, youll build up strength and be able to perform more exercises over longer periods of time.Play MusicIf youre having a hard time getting started, turn the TV off and put on some upbeat music. This will give you the motivation you need to start moving, even if its simply stretching.Beyond serving as a source of motivation, music can also help cognitively since it relieves depression and anxiety. In fact, according to Harvard Health, bright, cheerful music can make people of all ages feel happy, energetic and alert, and music even has a role in lifting the mood of people with depressive illnesses.Music also helps those seniors with health conditions, like Alzheimers and dementia. Studies have shown music may reduce agitation and improve behavioral issues that are common in the middle-stages of the disease.Find a FriendAs social creatures, it makes sense to find a friend to exercise with. If you have both been vaccinated and its safe to socialize, get a workout in together. This will keep you both motivated to stick to a schedule and be consistent with your senior fitness routine. Your exercise time will also be more enjoyable and go by faster as youre chatting and socializing. As a result, your workout will not only boost your physical health, but your emotional and social well-being too.Practice BalanceEach year, approximately 2.5 million older adults are treated for fall injuries in the U.S. The good news is there are some exercises to prevent falls and improve balance.Standing on one foot or walking from heel to toe across a room are good options, as are leg raises. Strengthening the core can also help to improve overall balance. If youre concerned that a loved one is at risk for a fall, there aremedical alert systems to consider as well.Make Senior Fitness FunPart of the reason fitness and exercise can feel like a chore is because its not fun for many seniors. However, there are ways to incorporate enjoyable activities. For instance, take a walk to a park and have a picnic with a friend there. Attend a fitness class or join a local gym or community center. Having a professional by your side can help ensure exercises are performed properly, lowering the risk for injury.You can also participate in hobbies that are active, such as working in your garden. These keep you up and moving, while allowing you time to be outdoors and enjoy nature. Another option is to put on music and dance. This can be in a formal class or simply at home in your living room.Find Workouts OnlineIf you or a loved one is comfortable going online for senior fitness workouts, there are countless ones to choose from. These can replicate what its like to work with a trainer or attend a fitness class. Everything from YouTube to Instagram, as well as paid subscription options, are available online.Make sure when you use an online source for senior health and fitness, you stick with it and schedule it into your week. Its easy to get started with a class or two and then let exercise fall by the wayside. If you commit certain days and blocks of time to working out, youll have a better chance of meeting your goals. Once exercise becomes a habit and a regular part of your routine, its easier to keep up with it.Eat WellExercise and a healthy diet go hand in hand. While youre focused on adding movement into your daily routine, its also important to ensure youre eating a balanced diet.Talk to your doctor about a diet that will work well for you or turn to a nutritionist to design one that best supports your needs. There might be a specialized one if you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. However, in general, your diet should be filled with fruits and vegetables, lean meats and healthy grains.Staying active is a challenge at any age. As we get older, though, its even more important. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to many physical issues and trigger anxiety and depression. However, studies show that maintaining regular physical activity can prevent common diseases and boost immune function. Exercise also produces endorphins (the feel good hormone), which serve as a stress reliever.If youre concerned about a senior loved one and their physical health and activity, talk to their doctor about designing an exercise and nutrition program thats right for them. Its also a good time to perform a general health screening to check for any new issues and keep tabs on their overall health.

If you traveled home for the holidays and spent some time with your elderly parents, you may have noticed they need a little extra assistance at home. Although it can often be difficult to know when your loved one is no longer able to live independently, there are some tell-tale signs.Perhaps their home isn't as clean as it used to be. Or they have expired food in the fridge or pantry. Maybe their personal hygiene has gone by the wayside. Or they have some new dents and scratches on their car.We've collected a few of our most-read blog posts that we think are helpful for family caregivers who are considering hiring a professional caregiver for their aging parent. Many adult children wonder when its time to consider home care for a loved one. If you find yourself stopping over more often to check on your aging parents or asking a friend or neighbor to stop by, it might be the time to look at in-home care options.Learn some of the most common signs it might be time for home care. In-home care can provide vital support Maybe your parent needs short-term assistance. Temporary in-home care can help individuals who are recovering from illness, injury or surgery, as well as after a hospital stay. This short-term care can last anywhere from several weeks to a few months, and it is typically provided in someone's home. This care can provide a long-term boost to what your loved one needs most comfort, confidence and peace of mind.Learn how temporary home care can support your family.Find the best possible caregiverDoing the proper research to ensure your parents are taken care of as they age physically, emotionally and financially will help give you peace of mind in the future. 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.If you are a family caregiver, keep these in mind while researching home care for your parents.