Archive for March, 2009
When grandpa fell down getting out of the shower and was having trouble getting around, my wife and I decided it was time to have him move in with us. We wanted to ensure that our household was as safe as possible and that he was comfortable getting around. While we didn’t need to make a lot of changes to the guest room, we did need to address the bathroom he would be using. We installed railings in the shower and bath, bought a bath seat, and placed a bath mat in the shower to prevent slippage.
When grandpa arrived at the house he told us that we didn’t need to renovate the bathroom like we did, but I know he appreciated it. He’s lived with us for almost a year now, and he’s never had an issue with safety in the bathroom.
Abbreviated DVT, Deep Vein Thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body. The leg is the most common origin. DVT is a serious condition. If fragments of a deep vein thrombosis break loose, they can be carried to the lungs, in doing so, they could block the flow of blood. This is called a pulmonary embolism; which can be fatal.
Common Symptoms - Leg pain is one of the symptoms; but DVT can and often does occur without any symptoms. This attributes to DVT being called a “silent killer.”
The contraction of leg muscles facilitates the re-circulation of blood back to your heart. Although it is working against gravity, this process keeps the blood in your legs from clotting. Keeping your legs inert for long periods of time denies your body this circulation boost and can lead to a thrombus. In 2008 more than 2,000 Americans died from travel-related DVT strokes.
Inheriting a blood-clotting disorder.
Unfortunately, some people inherit a disorder that makes their blood clot more easily. This inherited condition is more likely to cause problems when combined with one or more other risk factors.
Surgery or Injury
Prolonged bedrest or hospital stay
Pregnancy increases the pressure in the veins in your legs and pelvis. In which case, women with an inherited clotting disorder are especially at risk. The risk of blood clots from pregnancy can continue for up to six weeks after you give birth.
Smoking affects blood cell reproduction, blood clotting and circulation.
Overweight or obesity.
Being overweight increases the pressure in the veins in your legs and pelvis.
Ways to help prevent DVT
Stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol beverages, and take hourly breaks from sitting by walking around, where applicable. The extra legroom of an aisle or business-class seat may help with occasionally stretching legs. For those at a higher risk, below-the-knee compression stockings or medication may be needed. There are well-established guidelines for preventing DVT in many medical situations, particularly after surgery. Consult your physician. Making lifestyle changes may also be helpful:
Losing weight if you’re obese may help reduce your risk of DVT. 
When you’re a person who gets around with a power chair or electric scooter, it’s important to keep an extra battery on hand at all times. It’s also important to ensure that your extra electric scooter battery is charged and ready to go when you need it. There’s nothing worse than running out of power when you want to go somewhere, or even worse, in case of an emergency. In general it’s a good idea to have one battery charging while the other is being used in your electric scooter or power chair.
Each scooter or power chair uses a different battery, so it’s a good idea to purchase an extra battery at the time of purchasing the scooter or power chair. In addition, some scooters and power chairs come with an extra battery, making the whole process much easier. But all batteries wear down over time, and eventually will not be able to hold a charge.
Get ready! If you enjoy fishing, you now have an easier way to hold your cane pole or rod. This clamp-on fishing pole holder keeps a good grip on the pole while it makes the reel available for one-handed operation. Not to worry. When you get a “bite”, the pole can be easily and quickly removed from the holder for reeling in the big fish! A clamp with a large wing nut makes it adaptable to any tubular wheelchair bar. Also, the holder is also a perfect fit for use on lawn chairs or beach chairs.
This is a two-in-one space saving bedrail organizer. It installs on both sides of the bed, up to queen size. Especially helpful when a person uses either side of the bed or in the case of couples where both need added assistance. The roomy pockets turn an ordinary bed into a convenient storage area to help organize items you want to keep at the bedside, while providing support for getting in and out of bed. Comfortable to grasp non-metal handles are warm to the touch and can be used for repositioning and turning in bed. Easy to install, rails slide between mattress and box spring. No hardware needed! It is adjustable and fits twin, full and queen size beds.
Although it may seem carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition from long hours working on a computer keyboard, carpal tunnel syndrome actually has numerous causes.
Bound by bones and ligaments, the carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway — about as big around as your thumb — located on the palm side of your wrist. This tunnel protects a main nerve to your hand and nine tendons that bend your fingers. Pressure placed on the nerve produces the numbness, pain and, eventually, hand weakness that characterize carpal tunnel syndrome.
Fortunately, for most people who develop carpal tunnel syndrome, proper treatment usually can relieve the pain and numbness and restore normal use of their wrists and hands.
Carpal tunnel syndrome typically starts gradually with a vague aching in your wrist that can extend to your hand or forearm
Some people with mild symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can ease their discomfort by taking more-frequent breaks to rest their hands and applying cold packs to reduce occasional swelling. If these techniques don’t offer relief, carpal tunnel syndrome treatment options include wrist splinting, medications and surgery.
Yoga and other relaxation techniques may help with chronic pain that occurs with some muscle and joint conditions. Yoga postures designed for strengthening, stretching and balancing each joint in the upper body, as well as the upper body itself, may help reduce the pain and improve the grip strength of people with carpal tunnel syndrome.
You may have to experiment to find a treatment that works for you. Still, always check with your doctor before trying any complementary or alternative treatment.
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