Allowing a loved one to remain in the comfort of a familiar environment is an option many are choosing as opposed to placement in care facilities.  Often in home care proves to be more cost effective with better outcomes.  Home care plans are often built around the lives of the patient and family and can enhance the experience for everyone involved.  With the proper care team and support in place it can be a very manageable and positive experience.

Below are just a few ways home health care can offer support.

1. Assistance with Daily Living Activities– In-home service staff can help with personal hygiene, dressing, medication management and many other things. Allowing non-family members to take on these roles is an excellent way to preserve a patient’s dignity.
2. Companionship – Stress on families can be greatly decreased just by knowing that their loved one is not alone. Caregivers in the home are able to be the eyes and ears for long distance family as well.  Accidents can be avoided, and possible health issues identified that might otherwise go unnoticed.
3. Skilled Nursing – Often complex medical needs require hospitalization or placement in a facility. Skilled nursing visits make it possible to manage many of these in the home.  Dressing changes, ostomy care, IV therapy and medication management can keep in individual at home and in comfort.
4. Physical and Occupational Therapy – Many patients are opting for home therapy as opposed to rehabilitation in a facility.  These therapists are able to evaluate what an individual’s needs are in relation to their specific home environment.  Recommendations for adaptive equipment or medical supplies can be given directly to the patient and the family.

The growth of the home health care industry has made it possible for more people to convalesce at home without placing added stress to the people they love.  The options for providers and levels of care make it possible to manage daily living while keeping those closest to happy and healthy.

The post Benefits of Home Health Care appeared first on KC Home Medical.

Equip Yourself

It’s even more challenging to stick to a new program if you don’t have the right equipment to do exercises correctly. Follow your therapist’s guidelines and recommendations, and get the essential tools to help you get the most out of your program. Equipment like exercise bands and hand exercisers are small and inexpensive, but they can give you the challenge you need to improve things like strength to speed up your recovery.

In some cases, you might need hot and cold therapy. It’s much easier to grab a reusable cold pack than it is to fill a plastic bag with ice every time (especially since it may start to leak as it melts!). If something’s easier, you’re much more likely to actually do it! Make it easy on yourself by arming yourself with the necessary equipment beforehand.

Ask for Help

Ask your spouse, children, or neighbor to help hold you accountable. You still must put in the work, of course, but they can remind you or even scold you a bit if you don’t follow the plan! They might even be willing to do your routine with you or keep you company while you do it. The program is important to your health, and your loved ones will be glad to help.

Set a Schedule and Develop Habit

Plan to do your therapy at the same time every day. Write it on your calendar the same way you would a doctor’s appointment or lunch with a friend. As it gets routine, completing your physical therapy can help you develop an ongoing habit of movement and exercise! After your therapy is officially complete, you might choose to continue doing the exercises or use your scheduled therapy time for new exercises that best suit your physical abilities and needs. The equipment that was useful during therapy, like exercise bands or stretching straps, can be used for a wide variety of other exercises. Talk to your therapist about an ongoing program devoted to your strength and flexibility.

KC Home Medical Supply has everything you need to help you complete your at-home physical therapy program. Contact us for more information about our wide variety of products and how we can help you in returning ability and capability to life.

The post Complete Physical Therapy as Instructed at Home appeared first on KC Home Medical.

What happens in the body to cause bladder control problems? The body stores urine in the bladder. During urination, muscles in the bladder tighten to move urine into a tube called the urethra. At the same time, the muscles around the urethra relax and let the urine pass out of the body. When the muscles in and around the bladder don’t work the way they should, urine can leak. The loss of bladder control, or leaking urine, is called urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence is not a disease. It is a symptom of many conditions. Causes may differ for men and women. But it is not hereditary. And it is not just a normal part of aging

There are different types of incontinence:

• Stress incontinence occurs when urine leaks as pressure is put on the bladder, for example, during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects. It’s the most common type of bladder control problem in younger and middle-age women. It may begin around the time of menopause.
• Urge incontinence happens when people have a sudden need to urinate and cannot hold their urine long enough to get to the toilet. It may be a problem for people who have diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke.
• Overflow incontinence happens when small amounts of urine leak from a bladder that is always full. A man can have trouble emptying his bladder if an enlarged prostate is blocking the urethra. Diabetes and spinal cord injuries can also cause this type of incontinence.
• Functional incontinence occurs in many older people who have normal bladder control. They just have a problem getting to the toilet because of arthritis or other disorders that make it hard to move quickly.

There are many products and devices that can help men and women of all ages manage urinary incontinence.

• Disposable briefs and underwear
• Pads and liners
• Reusable and disposable under-pads for beds and chairs
• Catheters
  • External
  • Intermittent
  • Indwelling

Kansas City Home Medical Supply offers a wide variety of incontinence products.

The post Urinary Incontinence appeared first on KC Home Medical.

Pressure sores, also known as pressure ulcers, develop when patients who are ill and immobile stay in a fixed position for a long period of time. When this happens, blood supply to the skin over the area is reduced. Ultimately, the skin and underlying tissue become damaged and may become infected. This infection may then spread throughout the body, thereby worsening the patient’s condition and delaying recovery. Pressure sores typically develop on bony body areas, such as heels, hips, elbows, and more.

One way to prevent pressure ulcers is to ensure that patients are repositioned frequently. The current recommendation is that patients should be repositioned every two hours. In a home setting, accessories can also be used to shift body weight and alleviate pressure around the bony areas, thereby minimizing the risk of developing pressure sores. Some accessories that can be used in a home setting include:

• Feet Elevators: Heels and ankles are highly susceptible to pressure ulcers in immobile patients. Feet elevators serve to keep feet raised up, so that the heels and ankles are not in direct contact with the bed.
• Heel/Elbow Protectors and Heel Pillows: Protectors provide extra soft padding for the bony joints, thereby minimizing pressure over these areas.
• Alternating Pressure Mattresses: The special mattress offers control over the bubble cells to change pressure to suit the user to prevent soreness and skin breakdown. This mattress relieves pressure on the skin by alternating the pressure every 10 minutes on any portion of the body coming in contact with the bed, providing great comfort for a bedridden patient.

Prevention of pressure sores is essential to the comfort and recovery of an ill patient. At KC Home Medical Supply, we have various accessories that can be used to minimize the risk of pressure sore development. Contact us today to learn more about our products and to find which would best meet your home care needs.

The post Prevent Pressure Sores to Expedite Patient Recovery appeared first on KC Home Medical.

Allowing a loved one to remain in the comfort of a familiar environment is an option many are choosing as opposed to placement in care facilities.  Often in home care proves to be more cost effective with better outcomes.  Home care plans are often built around the lives of the patient and family and can enhance the experience for everyone involved.  With the proper care team and support in place it can be a very manageable and positive experience.

Below are just a few ways home health care can offer support.

1. Assistance with Daily Living Activities– In-home service staff can help with personal hygiene, dressing, medication management and many other things. Allowing non-family members to take on these roles is an excellent way to preserve a patient’s dignity.
2. Companionship – Stress on families can be greatly decreased just by knowing that their loved one is not alone. Caregivers in the home are able to be the eyes and ears for long distance family as well.  Accidents can be avoided, and possible health issues identified that might otherwise go unnoticed.
3. Skilled Nursing – Often complex medical needs require hospitalization or placement in a facility. Skilled nursing visits make it possible to manage many of these in the home.  Dressing changes, ostomy care, IV therapy and medication management can keep in individual at home and in comfort.
4. Physical and Occupational Therapy – Many patients are opting for home therapy as opposed to rehabilitation in a facility.  These therapists are able to evaluate what an individual’s needs are in relation to their specific home environment.  Recommendations for adaptive equipment or medical supplies can be given directly to the patient and the family.

The growth of the home health care industry has made it possible for more people to convalesce at home without placing added stress to the people they love.  The options for providers and levels of care make it possible to manage daily living while keeping those closest to happy and healthy.

The post Benefits of Home Health Care appeared first on KC Home Medical.

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. Hernia’s can be very painful and disrupt your daily activities.

There are several types of hernias:
• Inguinal. This groin hernia involves a portion of intestine or bladder protruding. It is the most common type of hernia and far more common in men than women.
• Femoral. In this type of groin hernia, the intestine pushes through tissue near where the femoral vein enters the upper thigh. These affect women more often than men, but they are uncommon.
• Umbilical. A hernia at the belly button, or naval, is common in infants, as well as women who are obese or have had several children. There is a natural weakness in that area. It is where the muscles and tissues come together.
• Hiatal. This hernia occurs when the upper stomach squeezes through the hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus passes through.
• Incisional. These hernias happen at the site of a surgical incision.

Signs that you might have a hernia include:
• A visible bulge in the affected area.
• Discomfort in the groin area that gets worse when you bend or lift something.
• Heaviness in the groin or abdomen.
• Pain or discomfort during a bowel movement or urination.
• Other symptoms that have been reported are bloating, heartburn, and constipation.

Treatment options depend on the type of hernia you have and your state of health. At first, your doctor may suggest monitoring your condition for changes. If the hernia does not improve or worsens, your doctor may discuss surgery. KC Home Medical Supply carries hernia belts, or trusses as well as abdominal binders. A physician may suggest these in place of surgical treatment or to ease symptoms until surgery can be done. Our staff can help you choose which product best suits your condition.

The post Hernia Awareness appeared first on KC Home Medical.

• Reduce Edema – Excess fluid can build up around the injury and block helpful nutrients from reaching the site for effective healing. If the injury is near a joint, that excess fluid can also minimize your range of motion, which will impact your body’s natural way of pumping and moving your muscles to enable healing. Wearing a compression device along with elevating the injury can reduce this excess fluid.
• Minimize Swelling – Swelling and inflammation can negatively impact your healing process and reduce mobility. Using cold therapy in combination with compression, the body will help your injury site feel more comfortable.
• Increase Oxygen – The more blood that the injury site receives, the more oxygen can be delivered to help with body repair. If the area is swollen and blocked, oxygen levels are reduced. Using a compression aid will help to keep blood flow moving more freely.
• Assist Lymph Fluids – Lymph fluids help in healing by carrying nutrients to the damaged tissues around the injury and removing waste from body tissue to create a clear field for tissue regeneration. Compression devices help circulate these fluids for improved healing.
• Add Warmth – Wearing a compression aid can also help to keep the area warm, promoting the flow of helpful fluids and maintaining good comfort and care overall.

KC Home Medical Supply carries a wide variety of compression therapy options. Choose from a wide selection that fits you and your particular situation and injury for faster recovery. For more details on compression therapy, sizing assistance, or for more details on our other medical supply products, contact us today!

The post The Importance of Compression in your Healing Process appeared first on KC Home Medical.

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 the brain, to the spinal cord and then to muscles throughout the body.  However, as the disease progresses the motor neurons carrying signals from the brain die, causing loss of muscle control. Those afflicted may lose the ability over time to walk, use their arms, speak, eat, and even breath.  The life expectancy of those suffering from the disease is variable but typically ranges from 3-5 years.

How does a person get ALS? 

    The exact cause of the disease has not been determined but research efforts continue in search of answers. We do know that ALS is not contagious and that only 5-10% of ALS cases are deemed familial or genetic. The majority of cases are sporadic, or without a hereditary cause.  The most common age at diagnosis is greater than 40 years. The rate of diagnosis is higher in men than in women. Military veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS than the rest of the population, the reason for which is still unknown. There are approximately 16,000 people living with the disease in the US at any given time.

Is there a cure for ALS?

    Unfortunately, there is no cure for ALS. The FDA has approved the use of several medications to manage the symptoms of the disease. Research is ongoing in hopes of more effective treatments and ultimately a cure.  Visit http://www.alsa.org/  for more information or to make a donation.

How can we help?

KC Home Medical Supply staff realize the obstacles that daily life can present for people living with ALS. Our staff are compassionate individuals trained to identify how adaptive products can improve the quality of life for patients and caregivers alike. We would be happy to talk about your specific issues or needs and find the product that best suits you. Please call or stop by one of our three locations for more information.

The post ALS Awareness Month appeared first on KC Home Medical.

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 for both the patient and caregiver. However, these bed accessories are available to ease the burden of meeting the needs of a patient at home.

Trapeze

Patients often face bedsores when bed-bound. It is recommended that patients are repositioned every two hours to prevent risks of developing this complication. With a trapeze attached to the head of the bed, patients can self-reposition with or without assistance from the caregiver. The trapeze also helps the caregiver, because patients can assist in holding and moving their own body weight during bed baths or when sheets are changed.

Eggcrate Bed Pad

This pad is an overlay placed on the patient’s bed, so the patient is not in contact with the hard mattress constantly. This serves to reduce pressure on the patient’s skin, especially in areas prone to skin breakdown. These pads also minimize the risk of bedsores.

Overbed Table

The overbed table is positioned over the patient’s bed for feeding and for any other tasks the patient may wish to perform. This eases the burden on the caregiver of having to get the patient out of bed during mealtimes.

Bed Rails

These are attached securely to the sides of the patient’s bed. With bed rails, both the patient and caregiver can rest assured knowing there is no risk of the patient rolling about and accidentally falling out of the bed.

At KC Home Medical Supply, we supply bed accessories that make taking care of your patients and loved ones easier. We offer different kinds of tools and products to accommodate a wide array of home-based care needs. For more information, contact us today.

The post Benefits of Bed Accessories in Home-Based Patient Care appeared first on KC Home Medical.

The equipment you select for safety will be based on the specific needs of the individual. Safety equipment include grab-bars, shower chairs, shower wheelchairs, transfer devices, and more. These not only ensure the safety of the patient, but also allows caregivers to properly bathe individuals or provide the opportunity for individuals to bathe themselves without supervision. Be on the lookout for these safety areas.

• Lighting in the bathroom is crucial, especially for those that have poor vision. Improve visibility by adding additional lighting, painting walls a light color, and using a clear shower curtain.
• “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” Keep all items for bathing stored properly and within reach. This avoids overexertion if the individual is bathing themselves, and caregivers can avoid leaving the patient unattended. Properly stored accessories don’t become trip hazards, keeping walkways and floors safe.
• Use a handheld shower device to reach various parts of the body without needing to move or reposition.
• Prevent slipping inside the tub by applying tread strips or using a large bath mat.
• Prevent slipping outside the tub by installing grab-bars and adding a thin carpeting or a slip-resistant rug on the floor. Many types of flooring become very slippery when wet, so extra leverage, support, or friction can help prevent falls.
• Install an anti-scald device to keep water temperatures from getting too hot.
• Fixtures should be recessed or have rounded edges to decrease injuries from a fall.

Evaluate the accessibility of the shower or tub according to the individual’s needs and how the caregiver may be impacted; then adjust accordingly. If you need assistance in determining what shower equipment you need to keep bathing safe for both individuals and caregivers, please contact us today.

The post Creating a Safe Bathing Environment appeared first on KC Home Medical.