As a person gets older their hearing and vision may start to weaken. It is a common occurrence among seniors, and it does not make life easy, particularly if that person has always been independent. Diminished hearing and vision could tug at pride and may be quite depressing. Seniors may try to deny that their hearing […]
One of the challenges faced by people who are elderly or debilitated is getting up from or sitting down in a chair; using lift chairs can help them overcome this challenge. Lift chairs are like recliners, with the major difference being that lift chairs have an electrical mechanism to tilt the chair forward or backward. This makes it easier for the user to stand up or sit down. For lift chairs to function effectively, they should be well-maintained. Follow these tips...
Bedridden or immobile patients are at risk of developing many different complications, including highly dreaded pressure sores. If developed, they can severely diminish the quality of life of the affected patient. The development of pressure sores also leads to an increase in patient care needed, as well as an increase in medical costs. It is estimated that the cost of treating pressure ulcers range from $9 billion to $12 billion annually. Pressure sores, also known as pressure ulcers, develop when...
What is a hernia? A hernia is a condition in which a portion of organ or soft tissue pushes through a hole or weak spot in a muscle or surrounding connective tissue that lines your abdomen or groin. It can be caused by an action that puts pressure or strain on an organ in that weak spot. Sometimes you can see the hernia, depending on its location and size. Certain activities can worsen the condition, like bending over or lifting heavy objects....
When your body is healing, it is important that your muscular movements have the pressure strength to pump fluids in a constructive, rehabilitating manner. When your body stores excess fluid, it can slow down the healing process. In contrast, it is still important to retain blood flow and movement for steady circulation to the injured area. Compression therapy with aids like wraps, sleeves, stockings, and slippers can help the injured area function properly and improve your recovery rate in the following...
Home-based patient care is markedly different than hospital-based or healthcare facility-based medical care. In a healthcare facility, there is usually extra personnel on hand to assist patients and other staff, making it easy to offer optimal care. Furthermore, there is plenty of specialized equipment in hospitals that help caregivers assist patients. Care of a patient at home usually involves a single caregiver; there is usually no extra personnel to assist him or her. As such, home-based patient care can become challenging...
ALS Awareness Month What is ALS? ALS is an abbreviation for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It is a chronic degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in both the brain and spinal cord. It is also commonly known as Lou Gerhig’s disease after the legendary baseball player who eventually succumbed to the illness. The term “amyotrophic” comes from the Greek language and translates to “no muscle nourishment,” referring to the deterioration of muscle control that occurs with ASL. Nerve transmission follows a path from...
For patients with restricted mobility, wheelchairs and scooters are tickets to freedom. These devices offer a way to get about and travel outside the house or care facility. The right wheelchair or scooter can take them anywhere they want to go: work, school, the grocery store, visiting friends, or maybe catching a concert from their favorite band. Assistive devices and equipment are designed to give people with limited mobility their lives and independence back. Be sure to choose the device...
It's important to take care of your power wheelchair and accessories: it’s an investment and, most importantly, it provides you mobile freedom, getting you wherever you need to go whenever you need. Here are five tips for maintaining your power wheelchair to ensure it operates and runs smoothly.
Head wounds can seem worse than they actually are. They bleed heavily because the scalp and face have many blood vessels sitting close to the skin surface, and the intense bleeding can be alarming to some people. Fortunately, most injuries are not severe and bleeding can be brought under control with simple treatment. Use the right tools and supplies to keep you safe and the wound secure, providing a better chance to heal properly.
