Posts from — July 2009

The worldwide web is filled with helpful tools, resources and information that can guide individuals with medical questions and equipment needs.  Prior to writing a blog, we gathered the best links that we could find and placed them in the Resource section of www.medicalhealthsupply.com.  Information is  updated regularly and is categorized alphabetically for ease of use.

One of the most insightful bits of information that we were given pertaining to the care of small wounds was “Don’t do anything  to a wound that you would not do to your eyeball. ” This statement was somewhat humorous, but also very true.  There a few basic rules to wound care.  They are; 1). Keep them clean, 2.) Keep them protected .  -In the case of a small wound, this means to put on a little antibiotic lotion for better protection and  faster healing, and 3.)   Cover a wound with a bandage for protection , cleanliness and safety purposes .

One should keep their hands off a wound. Placing a bandage on a wound is an excellent way to remind individuals not to touch them.  Touching a wound adds to the risk of infection.  The last piece of advice shared with us, by our favorite nurse, was to notice how a wound looks and feels. If  the  skin around a wound is  hot to the touch ,  red, inflamed, or  pussy,  one may be in need of some professional help. When cut or wound does not  feel or look right,  don’t wait. When in doubt,  always consult a professional.

“Stay healthy, and feel better when you wear compression.”

I am a big lover of compression knee high stockings and athletic socks.  If you travel on planes, sit for extended periods of time, or stand on your feet in retail, nursing or a manufacturing job, you should think about protecting your legs with compression socks.  The reason why is quite simple.  Compression hose improve circulation, and help aching legs feel better.  Any time you can do something to improve circulation and fight gravitational pull, you are just taking good care of yourself.  I started wearing them after the first leg stripping and was not told to continue wearing them.  After the veins popped out again, when I was standing on my feet all day, I tried them out again.  My legs have felt better ever since.

What should you buy or wear?  I love just plain looking socks or stockings.  As I do not have a serious diagnosis beyond the need to cover the blue tributaries running up and down my legs, and   some serious   resulting vanity issues wearing compression knee high socks is a luxury.  If you are like me, I would advise wearing light compression; lighter compression socks are labeled 8-15mmHg, or 15-20mmHg. 

The added benefit is that compression hose do not run or get holes in them as much as other hose and socks you buy at a drugstore.  Compression usually lasts 4-6 months.  (When compared with my normal hose, compression is a deal.  My regular hose are usually intact from the time I put them on to go to a wedding to the moment my toes poke out or put a run up my foot prior to the reception.)

I like to buy at least one pair to wear and one to wash to start out.  I try to get contrasting styles and colors so that I can wear them with different types of clothes and outfits.  I always buy one beige to go under pants and one athletic sock for around the house of for travel.  I love comfortable socks under boots.  Your style may be different. Wear a style that makes you look good and feel comfortable.

Product Care: Washing is easy.  I keep a bar of soap on the sink in my bathroom.  I rub the bar on the hose, gently rub and rinse.  On dry days they are ready for wear in the morning.  On rainy days they can take a few days to dry. You can throw them in the wash. I would advise using a lingerie bag if you do this.( I do not know about your washer, but my machine eats socks,  and gentle washables) Some people purchase Jolastic washing soap to clean their hose.  I love this product, but it is slightly more expensive than the bar of soap sitting on my sink.

Product Fit: If your compression rolls over at the top  use “It Stays” or try another fit.  Wearing poorly fitting compression hose, is as annoying as wearing knee socks that slide down your calves. Be sure to read the sizing charts offered you and measure your shoe size, your ankle and calf et. al. if required.  The right fit is important, so make sure that you have the right style and fit to suit your build and your individual  preferences. Compression hose are not returnable once the box has been opened. 

Be sure to not let your hose wrinkle and double up when wearing. Rolling socks is never good and are nearly always uncomfortable.  By rolling over the tops of compression socks, one is  increasing compression strength by doubling sock strength in areas where creasing and rolling is evident. This can be constrictive and constriction of blood flow is counter productive. For example a sock that is 8-15mmHg, can become a sock that has 16-30mmHg of strength when doubled over.  This may have the opposite affect of decreasing circulation.

Product Wear: Compliance is important for individuals with many diagnoses.  Some individuals wear compression all day every day.   In other cases, patients in hospitals (after certain procedures) wear anti-embolism hose through the night.  The trick is to find a product that is appropriate and comfortable. If you cannot find a product you like,  talk to your physician about products that you are willing to wear.  Sometimes compromises in style and strength can be discussed. In other situations,  donning  tools can be utilized to make putting on compression easier. There are also techniques that can be taught to make it easy to put on compression hose or socks. Getting compression hose on can be easy if you know what you are doing.

As always remember to Seek advice from a medical professional if you are having questions about donning, vascular issues, diagnoses or other problems.  Some diagnoses are very serious, and you may need to see a vascular specialist if your circulation is compromised or your legs have signs of  poor blood flow. Medical professionals are wonderful resources, and many of them are very knowledgeable about products and product alternatives. To order compression products visit http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com

Copyright 2008 Medical Health Supply, Inc.

Weight Bearing canes come in many sizes and shapes.  The canes that our great-grand-parents carried are the traditional candy-caned shaped.  The canes that people carry today can have fancy orthopedic grips and come in many colors and several different shaped bases. 

One of the most supportive canes is known as the Quad Cane.  Quad canes are canes with four pronged feet. The four prongs are known as a base.  Bases distribute weight evenly into four points..  The four pronged base is not as attractive to many individuals as the candy cane design.  But it is important to note that users with  more serious stability or equilibrium issues receive more  support and stability from the square quad base.

Quad canes are considered less restrictive than a walkers. Some physical therapists swear by quad canes, while others prefer their patients to utilize standard canes or walkers. Some people prefer Quad canes because they are self-standing, others are less compliant because they prefer other designs.  The chief consideration in selecting a cane product is to take into account specific user’s lifestyle and requirements. 

The quad cane can be accessorized with different bases to meet specific patient or user needs. They also can be easily adjusted to accommodate patients or users’ different height requirements.  Whereas, our grand-parents’ traditional wooden canes had to be sawed into position to create the right height.  Most Quad canes have a mechanism which can easily snap into place to accommodate most height differences.

In choosing a Quad cane, one should consider several questions. For example, – a caregiver or healthcare provider should consider whether a patient needs a large base, or a small. Larger bases add stability, smaller bases are easier to maneuver.  It is a trade-off  as to which feature most meets an individuals specific needs better.

Beyond choosing an appropriate base, one may consider a user’s commitment to fashion as important consideration in achieving compliance.  For example: If a patient is fashion conscious he /she more will be more likely to carry a cane when it is attractive, playful, or colorful.  Believe it or not, many people are more likely to carry a cane if it is attractive or reflective or their unique interests or lifestyle.  Many people today have cane collections.  Some canes are more formal like the opera cane whereas others like the standard quad-cane just make good functional sense.

Other Key Terms and Considerations

Bariatric canes: Generally speaking, bariatric canes should be used for individuals between 250 lbs and under 400 lbs. Quad canes generally can support more weight because of their pronged design.  Many Quad canes support up to 360 lbs.  Many more supportive weight bearing canes are made of heavier materials.

Cane accessories:  There are four main cane accessories; 1) Cane holders 2) Ice attachments 3) Replacement tips and 4) Cane lights.  Although cane accessories are nice, only one accessory is absolutely recommended at time of purchase. The accessory, which is highly recommended for quad canes are replacement tips.  Cane tips are notorious for wearing out, and no one likes to see their wooden floors scratched.

To learn more about products and services at Medical Health Supply, Inc. visit us at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com

If everyone were the same size, physical capability, and held the same interests and tastes, there would be one cane style to suit all people. There is, however, an enormous variety of styles, designs and handles to choose from when purchasing a cane or walking stick. Some people prefer color and character when carrying a cane, while others merely want the most supportive practical products to meet their needs. Fortunately, canes come in all shapes and sizes and a wide variety of weight bearing canes and walking sticks are available to you. 

One of the most popular items seems to be the fashionable walking stick. This item, although attractive and fun, is not always the most appropriate product for individuals with mobility and equilibrium issues. Walking sticks are not designed to take an individuals full weight. Walking sticks are intended to offer some support for people who need to steady themselves while walking. Many times people with equilibrium challenges see the walking stick as less restrictive and stylish, however it is always appropriate for users to utilize the tools that most meet their individual needs. Physical therapists, doctors, trainers, pharmacists and other medical supply of equipment knowledgeable people  can help advise individuals about available options.

Standard weight bearing canes are more supportive than walking sticks. Standard canes are designed to accommodate users weighing less than 250 pounds. They come with various types of grips, and can be purchased with a variety of tips or bases. Some people prefer a standard cane, while others require Quad canes with small or larger bases for balance. Individual taste and needs are important factors in selecting a product. Shape, grip and color are all important in selecting the appropriate cane for a user.  Physical therapists, doctors, trainers, pharmacists and other medical supply of equipment knowledgeable people  can help advise individuals about available options.

Safety Tip: It is not recommended that users over 250 pounds use standard canes. Bariatric canes should be used for individuals heaver in stature. They are much sturdier and designed to handle additional weight.

From the type of bed one has to the accessibility of technology such as a phone, or TV all aspects of bedroom living are important to the individual with mobility issues or disabilities. For some individuals getting into and out of bed or a chair is a struggle, while others have difficulty with dressing and accessing technology.  In this section, some of the more popular bedroom aids will be discussed.

Beds come in various  shapes and sizes, beyond this, there are a myraid of products and aids one can be utilized to make one’s sleep more enjoyable. For caretakers and  individuals with disabilities or mobility issues the right  beds and simple products and setup can make life more enjoyable and  a lot easier.  The major categories of bed types include low beds, for individuals who are at risk for falling.  There are semi-electric and fully electric hospital beds for  those with  severe struggles.  For the less infirmed individuals with less complicated daily challenges,  one can  accessorize a  normal bed to accommodate individual needs easily.

The normal bed can be accessorizing with bed rails for safety concerns, and disposable or reusable pads for people with mobility issues or  incontinence. Tray tables, comfort pillows, reachable lights and  a bed stand stocked  with a phone, intercom access, books or a channel changer may be important accessories to some people.  A pitcher of  cold water on a bed stand can assist a person with mobility issues by helping them avoid having to get up in the dark to get a drink. Also one should note that having a place to put mobility aids within  reach for easy access in a hurry is also important.

A  chair to facilitate dressing in the bedroom is also important. Stylistically, a sturdy  bench is always a convenient accessory at the foot of a bed. In addition, some people like lift chairs to pop them out of their seats. An inexpensive alternative to purchasing a lift chair is to purchase  a mechanical lifting devise, and to place it on almost any standard bedroom chair to help lift individuals up and out of their seats. Helpful hint: Mechanical lifting devices cost somewhere in the range of $300.00, and they can be moved from place to place to provide for scenery changes and additional mobility.

Sock aids are helpful to those needing to don compression stockings and socks, hip kits are important to those who have hip surgery or flexibility issues.  Hip kits include things like extra long shoe horns to help one don shoes , and dressing sticks and reachers to help individuals reach places and items that would be normally beyond their grasp.   

The important thing about making an environment healthy and friendly to those with special needs, mobility issues, or post-surgery challenges, is to make everyday activities and items accessible.  In doing this, one may have rearranged a room or remove clutter from pathways.  Adding items like liftchairs, bed rails and tray tables may make a bedroom safer and more accommodating. Putting personal thought into your environment and the use of key bedroom items and personal product preferences that meet individual needs will translate into improving one’s healthy lifestyle and independent living needs. 

To learn more about medical supplies and bedroom and bathroom safety item,  visit us at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com and http://blog.medicalhealthsupply.com

Copyright 2007 Medical Health Supply, Inc.  For individual Use Only.

Mobility issues can make bathroom duties difficult.  In Particular, in the bathroom, one should add grab bars or shower chairs to bathing areas to make bathing easier for people with some mobility challenges.  Other individuals, find standing for a longtime difficult or impossible.  This is where additions of such items as moveable shower heads, lower placement of shelves and countertops, shower chairs and hand-held sprayers may be important.  Many people find that living with raised toilet seats, or commodes with armrests are an important part of daily functioning.

Other convenient bath aids may include the easy to reach soap on the rope, or the ever-popular sponge or scrubber on a stick to reach in those hard-to-reach places in the center of one’s back. The long handle on a scrubber or sponge may be a must for easy access to those difficult to reach spots on ones back or feet.  This is particularly helpful for those who loose flexibility or have difficulty with reaching due to surgery.

Details in life and appropriate products are important to the bather with mobility challenges. In the previous paragraph we briefly discussed products, or necessity and bathroom convenience.   On a larger scale, one has to ask questions like is an individual’s bathroom large enough to accommodate persons needing to fit a walker in front of a raised toilet seat or a commode?  Other considerations such as wheelchair accessibility to bathing  or toileting areas may be important to considerations to those wishing to maintain independence in the home.

To learn more about bedroom and bathroom safety products and equipment visit us at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com and http://blog.medicalhealthsupply.com

Copyright 2007 Medical Health Supply, Inc.  For individual Use Only.

Back up to the bed utilizing the walker or rollator (if utilizing a rollator, be sure that the breaks are in locked position) until your legs are gently touching the mattress at the center  point in the bed.  The center point refers to the point between the head and foot of the bed.

Reaching back with one or both arms, gently lower yourself and sit down at the edge of the bed.  Push walker or rollator to the side so that you can slide your legs around into sleep position. Keep walker or rollator within reach, so that it is available when you need it.

Helpful Hints: You may want to wear silken pajamas to make sliding easier.  Silky sheets are also helpful to make sliding into  resting position easier.

To learn more about bedroom and bathroom safety and using medical supplies and equipment, visit us at http://blog.medicalhealthsupply.com .  All equipment discussed herein can be ordered at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com

Copyright 2007 Medical Health Supply, Inc.  For individual Use Only.

To properly use a raised toilet seat, an individual should utilize his or her walker or mobility aids to get to the bathroom.  When in front of the commode, individuals are often  advised to gently turn  (not pivot)  until they are facing away from the toilet to sit.  When the back of the legs are gently touching the toilet, individuals are advised to take small steps to back up into commode position.  In other words, when you feel the back of your legs gently touching the back of the toilet, you should be properly positioned in front of a commode.

 When using a commode with armrests, reach back and place hands firmly on the armrests to gently lower yourself on the toilet seat.  Balance is important, so you may have to utilize your walker in front of the commode to gently balance and get into position if you do not have a raised toilet seat with armrests.

**If appropriate, be sure to straighten or slide your injured leg or knee out in front while lowering and siting.**

When finished, securely place hands on commode armrests, or walker to gently raise or push up from the commode. If you do not have armrests on your commode, you may have to push up from the seat or counter to raise your body.

To learn more about medical supplies and equipment, visit us at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com or http://blog.medicalhealthsupply.com.

 or http://blog.medicalhealthsupply.com

Copyright 2007 Medical Health Supply, Inc.  For individual Use Only.

Raised toilet seats or three-in-one bedside commodes are often recommended for individuals who have various surgeries including knee replacement, back or hip surgeries.  One sample guideline is that after knee surgery, a patient can be advised to utilize a raised toilet seat for a minimum of 12 weeks, or more.  In each specific case or condition, all persons having mobility challenges should discuss usage of products with their surgeon and  or consult with their primary care coordinator and/or  physical therapist regularly.

To learn more about bedroom and bathroom safety,  visit us at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com or http://blog.medicalhealthsupply.com

Copyright 2007 Medical Health Supply, Inc.  For individual Use Only.