Electric Mobility Scooters

Immobility can make even the most basic everyday tasks a challenge. For people recovering from an injury it is necessary to rehab slowly, gradually increasing the amount of weight-bearing activities. Elderly or disabled persons often need an apparatus that aids in standing, moving and that makes living at home safer.

A patient lift is a remarkable tool to help the caregiver and patient in moving and other routine practices. For an inexpensive model, try a manual lift that is completely operated by the caregiver. More expensive electrical options don’t require any physical exertion and give the patient some power to operate functions as well.

As I was growing up I loved watching game shows with my Grandma. Whenever I would stay home from school sick we would watch the daytime classics like Press Your Luck and Pyramid. My favorite, however, was always the long-running Price is Right with Bob Barker.

 There are many iconic staples from the show, such as Barker’s Beauties and the culminating Show Case Showdowns. One thing that anyone who watches the show will notice is the target market in the advertisements. The commercial breaks are filled with plugs for Sea-Bond and government subsidized power chairs, which always made me feel a little out of place being five-years-old.

 Our bodily function changes as we age. Eating problems caused by the decline of physiological functions are common among the elderly. This can result in an imbalanced diet that may subsequently affect nutritional status. With proper dietary modifications, these eating problems can be resolved.

1. Chewing difficulties

·         Cut food into smaller pieces by chopping or grinding, modify food texture by pureeing with blenders before eating, cook food thoroughly until tender, or add sauces.

·         Visit dentists regularly and wear well-fitted dentures.

2. Reduced taste

·         Encourage chewing and ensure proper dental hygiene.

·         Avoid cigarette smoking.

3. Dry mouth

·         Ensure adequate fluid intake.

·         Provide food with sauces, gravies or clear soup, or soften bread or crackers with milk or soup.

·         Drink some water to moisten the mouth before meals or chew on some pickles or fresh lemon slices to stimulate saliva secretion.

4. Poor appetite

·         Have small, frequent meals supplemented with nutrient dense snacks

·         Eating utensils, that are lightweight that will aide in the ability to eat

·         Food bumpers can be used to prevent spills

Persons enrolled in the Ohio Home Care Waiver Program are now allowed to choose their caregivers from various sources. Independent Provider Nurses are among the list of approved caregivers. If you are aware of a child or adult consumer who is in need of a home care nurse, and is currently enrolled in the Ohio Home Care Waiver Program, there is a list of available nurses at the Ohio Independent Provider Network. The Ohio Independent Provider Network is not a home care agency. However, they are a network of Ohio nurses who have been approved by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to provide skilled nursing services to disabled individuals. There are RNs and LPNs available throughout Ohio to help families restore balance to their lives, and help their loved ones remain at home.

Studies have shown that almost 40% of Alzheimer’s patients experience significant weight loss. A study out of Boston University suggests that the weight loss is due in part to the loss of the ability to distinguish contrast between colors.

It is a known fact, people with Alzheimer’s are not able to distinguish light colored food and drink on or in typically light colored tableware. When using tableware that offered a high contrast to the food and drink (i.e.: bright red and bright blue), researchers noticed that the participants in the study increased their food intake by 24% and liquid intake by 84% (1). 40% of Alzheimer’s patients experience significant weight loss. More than 60% of people with Alzheimer’s Disease have a decrease in visual capacity(2). Up to 50% of the fluctuations in the ability of someone with Alzheimer’s Disease to perform activities of daily living can be attributed to deficits in visual capacity (2) Research indicates that people with Alzheimer’s Disease experienced a 24% increase in food intake and 84% increase in liquid intake when eating and drinking with tableware that offers a high contrast color (1) The human eye has more receptors in the retina to see red than to see any other color. Alzheimer’s patients show greater deficits in their ability to see colors in the blue-violet range.

Sources: 1 Dunne TE, Neargardener SA, Cipollini, PB, Cronin-Golomb A. Visual contrast enhances food and liquid intake in advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical Nutrition 2004; 23:533-538. 2 Rosa-Brady J, Dunne, T. Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts Chapter Newsletter 1999; 17:3.