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The holiday season is a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. However, for seniors, it can also be a period of loneliness and stress. As the owner of First Coast Senior Care, I understand the importance of ensuring that our aging loved ones have a memorable and comfortable holiday season. Here are some tips on how to support seniors during this special time. 1. Plan Inclusive Gatherings If your elderly parents or loved ones are still living independently, consider hosting holiday gatherings at their homes or in environments familiar to them. This can reduce the stress of travel and make them feel more comfortable. Ensure that their home is safe and accessible for everyone. 2. Keep Traditions Alive Seniors often have cherished holiday traditions. Take the time to ask them about their favorite customs and make an effort to keep these alive. It can be as simple as preparing a beloved family recipe or decorating the house with familiar ornaments. 3. Connect Virtually In today's world, technology makes it easier than ever to connect with loved ones, even if they are far away. Arrange video calls or virtual gatherings to bring the family together, especially if your parents or loved ones can't be there in person. 4. Focus on Meaningful Gifts When choosing gifts for seniors, think about what would make their lives easier and more enjoyable. Consider practical items that enhance their daily living, like cozy blankets, puzzles, or books. Personalized gifts with sentimental value can also be very meaningful. 5. Offer Assistance The holiday season can be physically demanding. Offer to help with tasks like decorating, shopping, or meal preparation. Be sensitive to their energy levels and don't overwhelm them with too much to do. 6. Listen and Provide Emotional Support The holidays can bring up a mix of emotions for seniors, including nostalgia and even feelings of loss. Be there to listen and provide emotional support, creating a safe space for them to express their feelings. 7. Be Mindful of Dietary Restrictions If your seniors have dietary restrictions or health concerns, plan meals that accommodate their needs. This shows that you care about their well-being. 8. Create a Calm Environment Holidays can be hectic. Ensure that the environment is peaceful and not overly stimulating. Some seniors may have sensory sensitivities, so be mindful of loud noises or bright lights. 9. Encourage Social Activities Help your seniors stay socially active during the holiday season. Consider taking them to community events, senior centers, or even organizing small gatherings with their friends. 10. Maintain a Positive Attitude Your attitude sets the tone for the holidays. Stay positive, patient, and understanding. Your enthusiasm can be contagious and make the season more enjoyable for everyone. Remember that the holidays are about spending quality time with loved ones. Your efforts to support and include your seniors will make a significant difference in their experience. Let's make this holiday season a time of dignity, grace, and cherished memories for our aging loved ones. At First Coast Senior Care, we are dedicated to ensuring that seniors age in place with the care and respect they deserve. If you have any questions or need additional support, please don't hesitate to reach out. Wishing you and your family a warm and joyful holiday season. Warm regards, Chris Yancey Owner, First Coast Senior Care

As the owner of First Coast Senior Care, a board-certified geriatric specialist in physical therapy, and somebody who has worked exclusively with seniors for over 2 decades, I understand the unique challenges that come with supporting seniors, especially when you can't be physically present. Distance should never be a barrier to providing the care and attention your loved ones need. Here are some key topics for supporting a loved one from afar, and how First Coast Senior Care can be your trusted partner in this journey. 1. Maintain Frequent Communication Open and consistent communication is key to understanding your loved one's needs. Regular phone calls, video chats, and messages help bridge the gap and maintain a strong connection. 2. Arrange for Professional Assistance If your loved one is in Northeast Florida, First Coast Senior Care can provide the in-home assistance and companionship they need. We offer personalized care that ensures their well-being. 3. Leverage Technology Use technology to your advantage. Set up remote monitoring devices to keep an eye on their safety, and consider medical alert systems for emergencies. 4. Manage Medications Help your loved one manage their medications effectively. Many pharmacies will deliver pre-sorted medications in blister packs. Also, our caregivers can assist with medication reminders and ensure they take the right doses at the right times. 5. Coordinate Medical Care I can help bridge the gap between your loved one's medical needs and the healthcare community. With my background as a board-certified geriatric specialist in physical therapy, I am very well-versed with signs and symptoms in seniors that may require attention. We collaborate with healthcare professionals to ensure they receive the appropriate care and therapies they need. 6. Stay up to date on Financial and Legal Support Assist your loved one with financial and legal matters remotely. Ensure that their finances are well-managed, and legal documents are up-to-date to protect their interests. 7. Assess Home Safety Our team at First Coast Senior Care can perform home safety assessments to identify and address potential hazards. This helps ensure your loved one's home environment is safe and comfortable. We routinely will eliminate clutter and be vigilant of fall hazards. 8. Arrange Transportation Coordinating transportation for medical appointments or social outings can be tricky on your own. We can help with scheduling and providing reliable transportation when needed. 9. Stay Informed Stay well-informed about your loved one's health, including their medical conditions and any changes in their day-to-day well-being. Our team can provide regular updates and observations. 10. Provide Emotional Support Distance can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Offer emotional support and encourage them to engage in social activities and stay connected with friends and family. We understand that caregiving from afar can be challenging, but you're not alone. First Coast Senior Care is here to provide exceptional caregivers who will treat your loved one with the care and respect they deserve. Our mission is to enable seniors to age in place with dignity and grace. If you have any questions or would like to explore how our services can support your loved one, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're dedicated to providing peace of mind to families, no matter the distance. Warm regards, Chris Yancey Owner, First Coast Senior Care Board-Certified Geriatric Specialist in Physical Therapy

It’s 2020 and in some office spaces, calendars have not been flipped since March; clothing stores have their dressing rooms closed; groceries stores have one-way traffic and there are police check points to stop out-of-state drivers. The list of oddities is endless. Our seniors have undoubtedly been through some trying times during their decades on this planet, but let’s face it, this is bizarre! What can we do at First Coast R and R to assist during this challenging time? CONNECTIVITY BENEFITS First, we can help loved ones connect electronically. If a client does not have a computer or a smart phone, we do! Our caregivers are more than happy to assist by facilitating a video call from their personal phones to enable a client to see friends and family. Several of our seniors do have computers but are not informed on how to maximize their use, and our caregivers can show them how to create email, check Facebook, initiate a video call, etc. MENTAL STIMULATION BENEFITS Secondly, the caregivers can provide mental stimulation. Whether it be cards, dominos, puzzles, Yahtzee, (my favorite) Rumikub, or anything in between. Our caregivers are happy to participate in fun and games, and it is mental stimulation and a benefit for all involved. PHYSICAL STIMULATION BENEFITS In addition,we can provide physical stimulation. Perhaps it is unsafe for the client to walk alone but with somebody standing by, they can take a stroll….and this may be inside or outside of the home. If the client likes music, we can turn on music to encourage dancing (standing or sitting) …which will also lead to an improved mood, most likely and provide great benefits in positive mindsets. Or maybe a client is unable to fix a meal independently but with a caregiver there, prepping and moving the heavy kitchen items, opening the jars, etc., they can together prepare a meal. One thing that is evident is that seniors are becoming unconditioned due to a lack of activity from not being able to shop, see a doctor, go to church, or get their haircut (among other things). And yes, some things are open, but leaving home poses a risk. Let caregivers provide the benefit of having someone to assist in normal activities in this abnormal time. BENEFITS OF A CAREGIVER During this pandemic, we have had several calls from family members who report their loved one is suffering from decreased appetite and dehydration because of being isolated. Some clients are not able or interested in cooking and we can certainly oversee meal prep and planning. Nutrition and hydration are important for optimal health. Dehydration has a significant effect on mental status as well as balance, so hydration is very important and can be key in preventing falls. Overall, the social interaction benefits a caregiver brings can encourage laughter, connection, stimulation, positivity, and be a distraction from the news. Depression is on the rise due to not only isolation, but the state of the world brought on by this pandemic. Sometimes we need to turn off the TV and focus on other things, but when seniors are alone, the TV often serves as their companion. The benefit of a caregiver during this pandemic can literally be life changing for our loved ones. We would love the opportunity to assist you or your loved one during this trying time. Please contact us for a free consultation and be well! ~ Christine “Enabling seniors to age in place, with dignity and grace”

Contact Us Feel free to leave us your contact info below, call us directly, or self-schedule a call below. We are excited to hear from you and will respond within 24 hours of your inquiry! Let's Chat Phone 904 - 810 - 8097 Email connect@firstcoastseniorcare.com Social Media Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

Our Process Assessment A representative will contact you for an assessment interview so that we can determine your needs. Senior Care Plan Together we will make a plan, determine how many hours you need a companion, and discuss the cost of services. Goals and Direction We will discuss your goals and plans in order to understand your current ability to manage your activities of daily living. Caregiver Assessment We then determine which caregiver is most suited to your individual situation, and a competent, trusted caregiver(s) will be assigned. First Coast Senior Care Objective Our goal is to enable seniors to age in place with dignity and grace! Furthermore... At First Coast Senior Care, we know it may be difficult to allow people to assist you. We are here to support your independence and to enable you to live in your preferred environment as long as possible. Our caregivers have a passion for seniors and we anticipate a mutual connection and relationship will be established that will benefit everyone involved. You should know... We have no weekly minimum hours but each shift must be at least 4 consecutive hours. If you have any questions, are ready to schedule, or need more senior care service information, please contact us at (904) 810-8097 or connect@firstcoastseniorcare.com . Contact Us Last thing... At times we receive calls because of our wealth of knowledge and experience. We are here to help seniors and their families. First Coast Senior Care is not about onboarding as many clients as we can, but about assisting you with your decisions on the best senior care plan. Sometimes assisting in your care plan means acting as a referral source. Pleas e CONTACT US today if we can be of assistance. ​ … helping you age in place with dignity and grace

Terms & Conditions A legal disclaimer The explanations and information provided on this page are only general and high-level explanations and information on how to write your own document of Terms & Conditions. You should not rely on this article as legal advice or as recommendations regarding what you should actually do, because we cannot know in advance what are the specific terms you wish to establish between your business and your customers and visitors. We recommend that you seek legal advice to help you understand and to assist you in the creation of your own Terms & Conditions. Terms & Conditions - the basics Having said that, Terms and Conditions (“T&C”) are a set of legally binding terms defined by you, as the owner of this website. The T&C set forth the legal boundaries governing the activities of the website visitors, or your customers, while they visit or engage with this website. The T&C are meant to establish the legal relationship between the site visitors and you as the website owner. T&C should be defined according to the specific needs and nature of each website. For example, a website offering products to customers in e-commerce transactions requires T&C that are different from the T&C of a website only providing information (like a blog, a landing page, and so on). T&C provide you as the website owner the ability to protect yourself from potential legal exposure, but this may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, so make sure to receive local legal advice if you are trying to protect yourself from legal exposure. What to include in the T&C document Generally speaking, T&C often address these types of issues: Who is allowed to use the website; the possible payment methods; a declaration that the website owner may change his or her offering in the future; the types of warranties the website owner gives his or her customers; a reference to issues of intellectual property or copyrights, where relevant; the website owner’s right to suspend or cancel a member’s account; and much much more. To learn more about this, check out our article “Creating a Terms and Conditions Policy ”.