While the holidays can be a wonderful time of the year for many people, they can also be lonely and anxiety-ridden for others. But what if we told you that your overall health will be better if you spend more time with friends and family (even your annoying uncle)? Research shows that people with strong ties to others live longer, happier and healthier lives. So, even if you are dreading the inevitable political conversation with your brother-in-law, that dialogue can actually be beneficial if you utilize some best practices. FirstLantic,the home care agency south Florida  has some tips for not only surviving, (but thriving) during the holiday season this year.   Positive communication is one of the keys to a happy celebration. It doesn’t mean [...]

Every day, we lose 294 WWII veterans. And with every veteran that passes, we often lose their story as well. Originally, FirstLantic planned to do a blog about inspirational vets but we quickly realized that there are literally thousands of amazing stories out there and we can’t possibly do the topic justice in one blog. As a result, we switched gears and decided to focus on four platforms that are dedicated to helping to tell as many of these stories as possible. Hearing the personal narratives of veterans not only allows us to experience history through their eyes, but it can be extremely healing for the veterans themselves. It also ensures that we never forget the men and women that were willing to sacrifice their [...]

Sometimes we can get bogged down so much in our own domestic drama that we forget there is a big wide world out there. While many Americans enjoy holidays like Saint Patrick’s Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving among others, cultures around the world have their own way of celebrating. So, in honor of the season, FirstLantic, Certified homecare of south Florida  tracked down ten of the most unusual holidays from a KFC dinner in Japan to a tomato fight in Spain!   La Befana – Italy Children in Italy don’t wait for Santa Clause to bring gifts on Christmas Eve. They stay up late on January 5th hoping to get a glimpse of a kindly old witch known as La Befana (the giver of gifts). And [...]

So, what exactly is a “boomster”? Seriously, you don’t know? Well, according to the urban dictionary, “It’s a baby boomer who is as cool as they can be, given the constraints of age”. That definition might be a little insulting to many of us, but the word essentially is a combination of the two words “boomer” and “hipster”. And what it really means is that the psychographics of many people in this generation is different from previous generations. They are not letting age define them and they want to stay relevant in a society that all too often dismisses people over 50.   Okay, now that we have that out of the way, why should you care? Well, if you’re a “boomster” (and you know [...]

Okay, so most grandparents don’t have a lot to complain about when it comes to their grandkids. After all, they are not the primary caregiver. They get to spoil the grandkids and then send them home. Or maybe they babysit the children once in a while or they pick them up from daycare or school once a week. However, there are some grandparents that are taking on a much bigger responsibility and are actually raising their grandkids. It is estimated by Generations United that there are about 2.6 million American children being raised by grandparents or relatives.   There are all sorts of reasons why this may happen. It could be that the parents are unable financially or emotionally to take care of their children. [...]

When are we going to cure cancer? For anyone who has suffered from breast cancer or has seen a loved one deal with the dreaded disease, the answer can’t come soon enough. Fortunately, although there is no cure yet, there is very promising research leading to new treatment options that are achieving higher success rates. In our blog this week, FirstLantic is highlighting some of the important work that is taking place. As a company made up of caring individuals, we want to support the pink fight in any way we can.   Radical surgery is not always the answer   It wasn’t that long ago that a woman with breast cancer was advised to immediately have a radical mastectomy. As Jacqueline Jeruss, M.D., Ph.D., [...]

Over the past 30 years, a woman’s odds of dying from breast cancer have decreased by one-third. There are now more than 3.3 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. And while we have come a long way, there is still much more work to be done so that every woman (and man) is safe from the dreaded disease. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, FirstLantic is devoting our blog this week to the possible causes and detection techniques. In our blog next week, we will tackle treatment options and what remains to be done in order to find a cure.   Causes of breast cancer   While there is still no definitive answer as to [...]

Did you know? • The "typical" U.S. caregiver is a 46-year-old woman who works outside the home and spends more than 20 hours per week providing unpaid care to her mother. • Most caregivers are married or living with a partner. • Most caregivers are employed. Among caregivers age 50-64 years old, an estimated 60% are balancing a full or part-time job along with their caregiving responsibilities.   You might already know this because you may be one of the millions of people that are living in this reality. And it’s not easy. In fact, it’s incredibly hard to watch someone that you love lose their ability to take care of themselves or to feel like you are switching roles with your parent. It also [...]

“Growing old is not for the faint of heart” as the saying goes. It’s certainly not easy to see yourself age but sometimes it can be even harder to watch your parent’s or other loved ones getting older. You want to help but you don’t know where to start. You don’t want to insult them or make them feel that you are taking on the role of their parent. You aren’t sure when to intervene or even how. Fortunately, FirstLantic has created this guide to help you navigate what is often a complex and emotional issue.   Recognizing the signs:   Whether we want to see the signs (or not) that someone needs help, they are often there. It could be simple things like your [...]

In honor of 16 year old Greta Thunberg who galvanized people all over the world to take part in the climate strike last week, FirstLantic, (home health care of Florida) is dedicating this blog to all the amazing kids that are making a difference. Whether they are demanding that governments do more to protect the environment or granting the wishes of nursing home residents, these young people are truly exceptional. Are you ready to be inspired?   Ruby Kate Chitsey is only 11 years old, but she has spent a lot of time in nursing homes. She often accompanies her mother, who is a nurse practitioner, to work. During her visits, she found that many of the residents were lonely and seldom received visitors or [...]