Author Archives: Jeanne Lowry

Unusual Ways to Relieve Stress

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 7, 2014 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Sure, everyone would love to be less stressed. But we’ve all read the lists of ways to reduce those stresses and either taken them to heart or thought “I don’t have time for that!” So here are some quick, easy and unusual ways to try and keep all that stress at bay. Comment with any uncommon ways of your own!

Paint the house blue
Blue has been shown to have relaxing effects on the mind and helps with focus. Now, you might say, “I have enough on my hands, I’m not going to repaint all the rooms in my house.” Of course. But even purchasing a light blue poster board and hanging it up behind the computer or above a TV can be helpful.

Bake something
A lot of sites recommend blowing up a balloon to make you breathe deeply, and breathing deeply is supposed to be relaxing. But blowing up a balloon can make you lightheaded. What else could I do that would make me breathe deeply? Good aromas! So really, you don’t even need to bake something, you could just grab a scented candle and give it a few good sniffs. Then light it: even more relaxing!

Get a mouth guard
Stress causes us to not only clench our jaw, it can make us grind our teeth at night. Dentist prescribed night guards are ideal, but can be quite expensive without dental insurance. If you’re experiencing tooth or jaw pain, see your dentist. But in the meantime, a store-bought one might help, and be a solution to some headaches as well.

Light a match
Write down five things that really stress you out or annoy you. Fold up the paper and burn it in a safe place, as a symbol of letting things go that you can’t control 100%. Or better yet, tuck it in to some charcoal in your BBQ, fire it up and have a tasty end to a long day!

Set up recurring shipments
This one is less unusual, and more just super helpful! At TotalHomeCareSupplies.com, you can set up recurring shipments of all the incontinence, ostomy or other supplies you need. Check out these three easy steps to setting up our EZ ship program.

Product Reviews – Thanks!

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 6, 2014 under BladderMatters, Ostomy Care, Very Urological | Read the First Comment

We think we carry the best possible incontinence, ostomy and urological products out there.

But you don’t have to take OUR word for it.

We love it when our customers review our products. It lets their fellow customers know specifics of the product and first-hand accounts of using them. We thought we’d highlight a few of these reviews in today’s post. When you finish, please feel free to write some reviews of your own!

Review of First Quality Prevail Adult Briefs:
“I have used this particular brand of briefs for many years and I highly recommend them. They’re absorbent and not too bulky. They’re comfortable and really are the best brief out there.”

Review of Hollister New Image 2pc Flextend Skin Barrier CTF:
“I love these flanges this inside portion is protected by what appears to be plastic covering over the barrier. The ease of use and the outer sticky tape helps hold the flange and barrier are in place. Rarely does it become un-sticky even in the shower. I would recommend them and I’ve tried many types.”

Review of Dale Foley Tube Catheter Leg Band:
“This is the best way to hold a cath tube in place. Have used many and found nothing better.”

While we of course love positive reviews, we want to hear about all the types of experiences that our customers have with our products. We use these reviews when considering which products and product lines we should sell, and will sometimes pass on the comments to the manufacturer. Our goal is your satisfaction with everything we sell.

For instance, this review of ConvaTec Aloe Vesta Perineal Skin Cleanser helps us know that there’s another product out there that a customer would like us to carry:
“Great product although it’s hard to spray[,] a foaming product would be better. Hospitals carry the liquid foaming that is what I really was looking for.”
(That cleansing foam can be found here.)

So if you have an opinion on a product you’re using, it’d be great if you’d head over to TotalHomeCareSupplies.com and write it up! Thanks in advance!

Caregiving Blogs – August Highlight

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

At the start of the new month, we’d like to take some time to highlight some caregiver bloggers. These bloggers are raising awareness of the difficulties their loved ones live with and helping others to know they’re not alone.

http://www.robertssister.com/

Trish Hughes Kreis is the primary caregiver to her brother, who lives with intractable epilepsy. He was also recently diagnosed with Cumulative Traumatic Encephameylopathy. Trish kept her readers aware and informed throughout the process of getting the diagnosis. Trish also participates in a live chat once a month with Denise Brown of caregiving.com to discuss all things related to caregiving.

http://www.lovethatmax.com/

Ellen Seidman’s son, Max, had a stroke shortly after he was born and developed cerebral palsy. (It’s true, babies can have strokes.) Now Max is doing all sorts of things that the doctors told Ellen weren’t going to happen for her son. Reading about Max’s improvements is a joyful thing, and his younger sister is a ton of fun as well.

http://www.insidedementia.com/blog/

Martha Stettinius was a caregiver to her mother with Alzheimer’s for eight years, before her mom passed away. Now she continues to advocate and write for caregivers, sharing her experiences and what she wished she knew then. She also wrote a book, titled Inside the Dementia Epidemic: A Daughter’s Memoir, which we have pinned to our Pinterest board of Caregiver Books.

Do you write a blog or know of one that you’d like TotalHomeCareSupplies.com to highlight? Please provide us with a link in the comments. And if you’re a regular reader of any of these blogs, let us know and give them a shout out!

Why Buy American

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 4, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

When it comes to incontinence supplies, you need the most trustworthy product out there. That’s the number one priority. But what if there are other factors in purchasing these products that can make you feel good about helping out not only your country, but also the environment?

Enter Prevail, by First Quality. Not only are their products designed with comfort in mind, they’re designed with the country and the environment in mind. All their products are engineered and assembled in the US. Why is that so important? Because it means that by purchasing their products, you’re helping create and keep jobs here in the US. These are jobs that are safe and fair to the employees.

In addition, every time you buy a Prevail product instead of one that has to be shipped in from another country, you’re helping the environment. That item doesn’t need to be brought across an ocean, using up more oil than necessary. And not only that, Prevail themselves are committed to sustainability initiatives. During the process of manufacturing their products, only 1% becomes landfill waste.

And when you get your incontinence supplies shipped to you, you also save gas by not taking that extra trip to the drug store in the middle of the night. It’s convenient for you and better for the country. Many delivery services now use trucks that run on alternative-fuel, including those utilized by TotalHomeCareSuppplies.com. UPS just expanded its fleet of alternative fuel trucks, and last year, OnTrac was named one of SDCE 2013 Green Supply Chain Award Winners.

We are proud to be working with companies whose efforts are keeping both American jobs and the global environment in mind.

Camping Checklist

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 1, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Anyone going camping during this last month or so of summer? If you are, and you need incontinence supplies, there are some some extra items to add to the checklist. Here are a few items that are either essential or helpful. First up, something that everyone should have whenever heading out of the house for the tent life:

1) Bath Wipes
These unscented, hypoallergenic wipes are extra large, so you’ll only need one for each person each day (initially, at least, as they will also come in handy after meals to clean faces and hands). Each washcloth has more than enough moisture to cleanse thoroughly. They come eight to a pack, but they’re so inexpensive, two packs might be a good choice even for a short trip.

2) Flashlights, Paper Towels, Can Openers
There are many other convenient items that you could probably get away with forgetting, but these three are pretty much the most essential, besides the tent. Pack these items a few days beforehand to make sure they don’t get lost in the shuffle of last minute packing.

3) Underpads
A wonderful accessory when camping and experiencing incontinence issues. If you have been employing reusable underpads at home, get a pack of disposable underpads for the trip. While reusable underpads are less expensive in the long run and better for the environment, the convenience of disposable is great for camping. They’ll make the mornings so much easier and with Prevail underpads, you only need one layer at a time.

4) Games
Chatting by the campfire is ideal, but you want to make sure you have a back-up option in case the talk starts to slow. Take some card games, but nothing large or that requires a board. Then you’ll know that you’re ready to provide the outdoor entertainment once the sun goes down.

5) Extra Incontinence Supplies
That may sound bulky, but it doesn’t need to be. Just be smart about it. Pack everything you may need (extra briefs, wipes, gloves, creams, washes and disposable bags) into one bag, like a small gym bag. Have a really large tube of cream? Just take what you need by putting some into a travel sized bottle. Keep in mind that because your schedule and activity amount may change during your vacation, your supply needs might change as well.

Having everything securely packed will make you able to relax and appreciate your vacation. Last tip: if you have multiple bags, during packing time, note which item was place in which bag. Then take that list with you. It will save time later and you’ll know exactly what you packed. Enjoy your trip!

What Is An Ostomy?

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on July 30, 2014 under Ostomy Care | Be the First to Comment

On June 21^st, 2014 the charity organization Crohn’s and Colitis UK posted a picture of one Bethany Townsend. As of this writing, the post has received nearly 250,000 likes, easily catapulting it to the status of viral. What was Townsend wearing in this popular photo? A bikini, an ostomy bag and a stoma cap.

Other sites, including Huffington Post picked up on the photo and the short article about Townsend, but failed to go into an explanation of what these items she’s wearing are and what they’re for. This led to a huge uptick in searches online for the word “ostomy” as people strove to understand why it was that Townsend needed bags to survive.

So here’s the short and sweet explanation: Ostomy bags are the term for any bag placed over a surgical opening on a body, generally in the abdomen region (you can see some examples of new bags here). The uses for these bags are to help with the work of organs that aren’t functioning properly or have been removed, such as all or part of the large intestine or the bladder. In cases such as Crohn’s disease, colitis, cancer or other issues, a surgeon will create a direct connection from the working parts to the outside of the body – creating a stoma (aka opening). Waste from the small intestine (or part of the large intestine or bladder) is dispelled through that opening, generally into a bag.

Ms. Townsend appears to be wearing an ostomy bag, and a stoma cap. The ostomy bag is there to capture the contents being emptied from her small intestine. The stoma cap, the smaller of the two items, is likely there to capture any small output from that particular stoma. As that stoma likely doesn’t produce waste on a consistent basis, it doesn’t need a full-sized bag. This is an assumption, of course, and everyone’s experience with stomas differs, but that’s a basic explanation of bags and caps.

It’s great to see such a positive response to Townsend’s photo, and to see so many people reply with proud pictures of themselves sporting ostomy bags.

Being Smart About Incontinence

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on July 29, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Living with incontinence can be inconvenient, and can even have the potential for embarrassment. But! With the right knowledge, supplies and attitude, everything runs more smoothly and the feeling of any embarrassment becomes a thing of the past. Those who are incontinent can take action so that life can be lived on their terms.

Finding the cause:
Of course, many times, just because the cause of incontinence is known, that doesn’t mean that there’s a cure. But knowing the reason for one’s incontinence is helpful, even if only in a mental capacity. It can also help with determining what type of protection is necessary. Once the type is known, one may be able to predict the level of protection needed. A list of the types of incontinence can be found here. Getting educated: ✓

Leaks, crinkles and unsightly lines:
Most adult diaper leaks are caused by one of three things: the size is too large, a proper leg seal hasn’t been established, or the wrong type of insert has been placed in the diaper. You can find more information about these leaks and how to prevent them here. The crinkle-factor can be minimized by purchasing the right fit, and purchasing items with the words “cloth-like outer fabric,” like it says on these Prevail Per-Fit Adult Protective Underwear. The less plastic on the outside of the diaper, the less likely the wearer is to hear anything while moving. And the cloth outer fabric diapers are just as absorbent and leak-proof as plastic backed diapers. Panty lines can be minimized by wearing more organic fabrics, and experimenting with different types of diapers. Mess and fuss: ✓

Buying adult diapers and accessories:
Many people do not enjoy the stigma that comes with purchasing adult diapers in person, whether or not they are for themselves. Ease that concern by getting all needed supplies shipped directly to your home in a discreet box. This solution is not only subtle, it’s convenient. This is a service TotalHomeCareSupplies.com offers for all customers, and all orders over $40 receive free shipping. Plus, be sure to check out our promotions page for any coupons we currently offer. Purchasing: ✓

It’s easy to be fully prepared when presented with all the facts. When you’re informed and equipped, a full life is still easily in reach.

My Own Experiences as a Temporary Caregiver

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on July 28, 2014 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Hello there! My name’s Jeanne and I recently started at TotalHomeCareSupplies. I thought a good way to introduce myself would be to tell about when I was a temporary caregiver.

A few years ago, my mom and I visited my grandfather, who lived on his own in a two bedroom apartment in a different state than us. On this particular visit, upon arrival, we found him on the floor, alert and unhurt, but confused. He’d fallen, and a visit to the doctor told us he had pneumonia. He had to be checked into the hospital for a few days, and during this ordeal, decided a move to a nursing home might be prudent (he had tried living with my parents before, but found the altitude did not suit him).

After my grandfather checked out of the hospital, my mom needed to head back to work. My job at the time was more flexible, so I stayed to help him finish getting over the pneumonia, find him an acceptable nursing home and move him in.

We looked at three homes, and the last one had space for my grandfather and was acceptable to him. He would be able to move in after a week. In the meantime, I had to pack his apartment, get him to all his doctor appointments, work as much as possible at his friend’s houses or McDonald’s (since I needed the Internet, and he didn’t have a connection) and keep us both fed and relatively happy. And I had to do all this without a car, since the rental car was due back at the airport.

Somehow I pulled it off. I didn’t do it alone. His church friends helped him move, the town shuttle took us to appointments and the pharmacy, and his friends would stay with my grandfather when I needed to work. Still, it was exhausting. And there were upsetting things every day: new doctor appointments that meant I couldn’t spend those two hours working instead, my grandfather’s refusal to take recommended vitamins or just not getting as much done in one day as I would have liked. But in the end, his pneumonia cleared up and we moved him in. He was fairly happy there and we visited often.

My grandfather died, likely of pneumonia, about a year and a half later. It was sad, but I feel confident he was ready to go. Although those two weeks caring for him were stressful, I’m glad I was able to spend that time with him. I learned a lot, not only about him, but about myself.

Working at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com has reminded me of these experiences, and they give me a healthy respect for those caregivers that are not at all temporary. I’m looking forward to helping those that help others!

Prevail Per-Fit for Women and Men

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on July 24, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Prevail is announcing something new in the world of adult diapers. They know that those individuals who wear protective underwear would ideally wear something that’s as close to possible as a regular pair of underpants. That’s why they’re now offering their Per-Fit products, for women and men.

These underwear are gender specific – the women’s come in a lovely light lavender color, while the men’s come in white with classic grey lines on the band. And both are created from a cloth-like material, meaning they look and feel closer to regular underwear.

Other great features of these underpants include Odor Guard® protection, which means each style has targeted absorbency zones that will whisk moisture from the skin before locking it away and neutralizing any ammonia odor.

Customers will also find these adult pull-ups more breathable. Between the specifically ventilated and breathable waist area and the higher cut on the legs, air is more able to freely migrate on the wearer.

Both the protective underwear for the women and the men are available in medium, large and extra large. Each product page provides a sizing chart so our customers can make informed decisions on what will be the best fit for them.

For those experiencing LOBC (loss of bladder control), many may find that their unique shape is better served with a pair of Per-Fit protective underwear.

At TotalHomeCareSupplies.com, shipping is completely free on all orders over $40. Orders come packaged in discreet, unmarked boxes for customer security.