Dancing Improves Overall Health: Senior Edition

Posted by on June 26, 2013 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Dance Provides Health Benefits for all AgesTotalHomeCareSupplies

” …there is relatively strong evidence that dancing can significantly improve the aerobic power, muscle endurance, strength, and flexibility of the lower body; static and dynamic balance/agility; and gait speed of older adults. “
– Keogh, J.W.L, et al., Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

Whether you think you have rhythm or not, getting up and moving your feet to your favorite song may prove to be more beneficial than you thought. Dance is a form of expression that can bring forth laughter, smiles and happiness. Dance brings people together and encourages social support while encouraging physical activity. The health benefits of dance are undeniable. According to Carol Cummings, BSN, RN, Certified Wellness Coach, there are numerous benefits of dance, including lessening the effects of some chronic diseases:

    • Improved Posture
    • Stronger bones and muscles
    • Reduced Stress, increased joy
    • Confidence

RELATED: Cognitive Decline at 45? Six Ways To Protect Your Aging Brain

Here are some types of dance that my elicit different health benefits:

Ballroom dancing. While dancing is fun and a time to let loose, ballroom dancing takes a certain amount of concentration to remember each step and prevent you from stepping on your partners toes. This experience lessens the risk of dementia in old age by keeping the mind active and focused.

Argentine Tango. This specialized form of partner dance reaps numerous benefits. The tango is a fast paced, intricate dance that includes many sharp movements. These details have proven to show improvements in Parkinson’s disease patients by increasing mobility and balance. Read more here: Washington University in St. Louis.

Waltz. According to a study conducted by the American Heart Association, those with chronic heart disease who participated in dance for exercise showed dramatic increases in functionality and quality of life. The patients were more likely to participate in physical activity because it was fun, which in turn increased their arterial capacity.

Total Home Care Supplies

 

 

 

Boost Your Health with These 10 Fruits and Vegetables

Posted by on June 24, 2013 under Resources | Read the First Comment

SaladThere’s no better vitamin manufacturer than mother nature! While some fruits and vegetables can be found year-round, many locally-grown fruits and vegetables can only be enjoyed during their seasonal months. Why not support your community and liven up your diet with some healthy choices at the same time? Here’s a list of delicious fruits and vegetables that are enriched with vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy,energized and satisfied:

  1. Avocados. Avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid.  One common misconception of this delicious, creamy fruit is that their high fat content makes them them bad for you. While it is true they are high in fat, it is important to note that they are good fats. Avocados are high in monounsaturated fatty acids which help lower bad cholesterol.  In moderation, avocados can help lower your chances of heart disease. Start making that guacamole!
  2. Cucumbers. With only 16 calories in a cup, a cucumber is a great addition to any meal. This versatile vegetable has a high nutrient content, especially in fiber, potassium, and vitamin K.  Its numerous health benefits include increasing bone density and reducing blood pressure, constipation and risk of colon cancers, . Make sure to keep the cucumber’s skin and seeds for the greatest health benefit.
  3. Squash.  With so many different ways to prepare it, this versatile fall vegetable satisfies many dietary needs. With its blood sugar and insulin regulating qualities, squash can help protect against type 2 diabetes.  B-vitamins are plentiful in squash, and high levels of fiber, vitamin A and calcium make it a healthy choice in virtually any season.
  4. Swiss Chard. All greens are beneficial, but why not change it up and try something a little less common?  Swiss chard is a nutritional powerhouse: an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C, as well as a good source of magnesium, potassium, iron, and fiber. The antioxidants in Swiss chard provide an anti-inflamatory benefit.  Additionally, this vegetable is extremely beneficial for those with diabetes due to its sugar-regulating factors.
  5. blueberriesBlueberries. This popular berry is not only tasty, but those who enjoy it will also reap numerous health benefits, including strengthening the immune system. Blueberries are among the highest anti-oxidant value fruits, and are linked to improved memory as well as a reduced risk of cancers, degenerative diseases and infections. Blueberries prevent cellular damage and protect DNA. It is recommended to eat the berry raw for the best taste and also for the best effects.  RELATED: Food Spotlight: Blueberries and Your Brain
  6. Peppers. Peppers of all colors are full of vitamins and nutrients, especially vitamins C, A, B6 and B9 (folate). This flavorful vegetable is linked to preventing both cancer and heart disease. Research from the University of Illinois has also shown that peppers can decrease brain inflammation,  assisting in Alzheimers prevention. For only 28 calories a cup, peppers  go well with almost any meal.
  7. Watermelon. Stay hydrated with this vitamin-rich, fun-colored summer fruit. Watermelon is an excellent source of Vitamin A and C, as well as Vitamins B1 and B6. Watermelon is also full of antioxidants such as Lycopene and Beta Carotene, and can help reduce complications with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and arthritis.
  8. Tomatoes. From flavorful Italian sauces to fresh, spicy salsa, you can’t go wrong with tomatoes! These red powerhouse veggies provide a huge amount nutrients, including Vitamins C, A and K , potassium and dietary fiber.  Tomatoes are an excellent source of the antioxidant Lycopene, which has been shown to prevent skin damage from ultra-violet (UV) rays and offer protection from skin cancer. Tomatoes also support bone health, reduction in cardivascular disease risk, and diabetes.
  9. Peaches. If you are craving something sweet that won’t hurt your waistline, bite into a juicy peach. Low in calories and high in flavor, these delicious fruits will satisfy and support any diet with their 0% fat content.  Peaches are moderate sources of Vitamins C, A and Beta Carotene, and are rich in many vital minerals such as potassium, fluoride and iron.  If you’re looking to satisfy that sweet tooth, peaches are a healthy summer choice to keep weight gain out of the picture.
  10. Eggplant. An often overlooked part of the vegetable family, eggplant provides numerous health benefits essential to any diet.  Low in both calories and fats while being extremely high in fiber, this vegetable enhances easy digestion, regulates blood sugar levels, and ensures a healthy cholesterol level.  The dark skins of some eggplant varieties are an excellent source of antioxidants, and its pulpy fruit is a good source of minerals such as manganese, copper, iron and potassium.

RELATED: 5 Health Benefits of Drinking Water in the Morning

mixed veggies

Total Home Care Supplies

Retirement: Start saving now!

Posted by on June 20, 2013 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Are you ready for retirement?

As we approach late adulthood, many of us avoid thinking about the future. However, retirement takes many years of preparation in order to ensure that you and your loved ones remain financially stable into your golden years.  It’s never too early to start thinking about retirement!  Most people do not save enough to ensure a stable retirement. According to Charles Schwab, the majority of Americans between the ages of 55-70 confidently estimate that they have adequately prepared for their post-work years. However, many people who are as little as 5 years away from retirement have not yet begun to implement a plan. Overconfidence on this topic can be detrimental to a happy and healthy retirement.

If you haven’t started planning, don’t get discouraged. It is never too late to jump start a plan for your future! The goal is to set aside the right percentage of funds so that you can live as comfortably as you do now on a smaller income. However, with old age comes declining health and a bucket list that may include some expensive stops along the way. Here are a few points to help you set up a plan that will work for you:

Consider healthcare costs. Unfortunately with age comes a physical and cognitive decline. This is something imperative for people to think about when forming a retirement plan. Healthcare needs can be unpredictable regardless of how healthy a lifestyle you live. The possibilty of moving into a nursing facility after retirement is not farfetched, and definitely not cheap.Enjoy Your Retirement

Examine current resources. In order to maintain a stable quality of life in retirement, you’ll need annual income equivalent to at least 80% of your pre-retirement income. With so many ‘baby boomers’ approaching retirement, government resources will be divided among the aging population more than ever before. Some who plan to retire know that they will have to have at least a part time job to support themselves, but for others that is not an ideal option. It is important to rely only on yourself to provide the funds for an enjoyable retirement.

Prepare for the lifestyle.   When most people dream about retirement, they may picture themselves attending the nearby country club, or embarking on a  European adventure. In order to fulfill those dreams, you must allot that money early on. Other simple lifestyle factors may also dwindle your funds unexpectedly, such as eating out more and spoiling grandchildren. The considerations for retirement go deeper than simply providing a roof over your head and food on the table.  Part of adequately preparing for retirement means understanding your spending habits and accurately budgeting for how much income you’ll need.  If you don’t have a retirement plan in place, it’s time to prepare now.

This advice was brought to you by:

Total Home Care Supplies

More Than Back Pain: The Hidden Dangers of Sitting

Posted by on June 18, 2013 under Resources | 2 Comments to Read

How Sitting For Too Long Affects the Body

Sitting for extended periods of time causes more than just back pain; from blood clots to colon cancer, sitting can be seriously detrimental to your health.  Scientists have linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health complications, including poor circulation, blood clots, increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, assorted aches and pains and increased obesity, among others.   Research indicates that sitting for extended periods reduces lifespan, and increases your overall risk of death by nearly 50%.  Sitting also increases risk of cardiovascular disease by 125%, and doubles the likelihood of developing various cancers, including colorectal cancers.

Could you be sitting for too long?  See these 7 sitting-related health risks, and how to avoid them:

How Sitting Affects the Body

For more health information and useful tips, visit our Resources and Tools Blog on  TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.  To shop for incontinence, ostomy, urological or wound supplies, visit our Total Home Care Supplies web store.

Care More.  Spend Less.  Save Now.

Prevail Boxers for Men

Posted by on June 17, 2013 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Prevail Boxers for Men

Prevail Boxers for Men on sale at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

Not a tighty-whities kind of guy?  Prevail Boxers for Men offer the look and feel of regular boxer-style underwear while providing maximum incontinence protection.  These popular boxers for men are highly absorbent and conveniently disposable, featuring a diamond-printed, cloth-like outer fabric.  Prevail Boxers use a patented Advanced Zoning System to provide incontinence protection right where men need it most.

Premium Features:

  • Soft, Cloth-Like Outer Fabric
  • Premium Diamond Print looks like conventional boxer-style underwear
  • Advanced Zoning System® provides protection where men need it most
  • Extended Use Absorbent core for Moderate to Heavy Incontinence

Total Home Care Supplies offers Prevail Boxers for Men in two stretchable sizes:

  1. FQ PBM-512       Medium (28″-40″ waist)       48/Case
  2. FQ PBM-513       Large/X-Large (38″-64″ waist)       40/Case

For more incontinence supplies for men, visit TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.  All orders come packaged in discreet, unmarked boxes for customer privacy, and shipping is completely free for all orders over $40.  Never worry about running out of incontinence supplies again with EZ ship; schedule easy, automatic deliveries of your preferred incontinence products.

Care More.  Spend Less.  Save Now.

June Promo Code for Discount Home Care Supplies

Posted by on under Promotions | Be the First to Comment

June Coupon for Adult Diapers and Briefs, Adult Pull Ups, Prevail DiapersDepend Diapers & More…

June Promo Code for Total Home Care Supplies

From now until June 30th, take $5.00 off any order over $90 with promo code 5June on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com. Enjoy free shipping on all orders over $40!

This June coupon is good for all name brand incontinence supplies, including best-selling products by First Quality, Prevail, Depends, Tena, Poise, Tranquility and many more. All home care supplies are shipped in discreet, unmarked packages right to your doorstep.  Most products ship the same business day that you place your order, and are mailed from the closest distribution center.

Here’s how to use this discount:

  1. Add all your items to the shopping cart and select “Secure Checkout”
  2. Enter your Billing and Shipping Information, and click “Save”
  3. Enter promo code: 5June and click “Apply”
  4. Is your order over $40? Enjoy Free Shipping!

Thank you for being a loyal customer. We know you have many options when you shop, and we appreciate your business.

Care More. Spend Less. Save now at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

ConvaTec ActiveLife 1 Piece Drainable Pouch

Posted by on June 13, 2013 under Ostomy Care | Be the First to Comment

Popular ConvaTec Ostomy Bags on Sale Now

Activelife 1 Piece Drainable Pouch CTF

Activelife 1 Piece Drainable Pouch on sale now at TotalHomeCareSupplies

ConvaTec‘s ActiveLife® One-Piece Drainable Pouch is a lightweight, flexible, one-piece system that patients and nurses have trusted for over two decades.  This easy-to-use one-piece ostomy system combines both skin barrier and pouch into one simple, lightweight unit.  The popular ActiveLife® one-piece drainable pouch is designed for maximum comfort and extended wear time.

ActiveLife ostomy bags are offered in both opaque and transparent colors, with either a pre-cut or cut-to-fit skin barrier.  Its durable comfort panel is odor-proof and rustle-free for maximum discretion.  This drainable pouch is available with a traditional tail clip, and its built-in convex barrier provides extra protection for people recessed, retracted or flat stomas.  The ActiveLife One-Piece Drainable Pouch also comes with the option of either a “standard wear” Stomahesive Skin Barrier or an “extended wear” Durahesive Plus Skin Barrier.  For more Activelife one-piece drainable pouch options, click here.

Cut-to-Fit ActiveLife one-piece drainable ostomy bags are sold in boxes of ten:

  • SQ 022771       3/4 TO 2 1/2 inches       10/Box       $38.03

We offer reliable, fast, discreet shipping on all orders, with free shipping on all orders over $40.  For more ConvaTec products and additional ostomy supplies, visit the TotalHomeCareSupplies web store.  For additional information and lifestyle resources, please visit our Ostomy Care blog on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.

Care More.  Spend Less.  Save Now.

Have You Seen Our Pinterest Page?

Posted by on June 11, 2013 under Promotions | Read the First Comment

It's official!  Total Home Care Supplies is now on Pinterest!

It’s official – TotalHomeCareSupplies is now on Pinterest! We’ve posted our first boards on Top-Rated Incontinence Supplies and Ostomy Supplies, as well as health news, inspirational quotes, our favorite pet photos and more.

We’ll soon be adding new pins and boards filled with more health news and nutritional advice, favorite customer products and much more.  Do you use Pinterest?  Please tell us in the comments section below what boards and pictures you’re hoping to see from us.

We look forward to seeing you there.  Happy Pinning!

Pinterest Thumbnails

ConvaTec Aquacel Ag Wound Dressing with lonic Silver

Posted by on May 28, 2013 under Promotions | Be the First to Comment

Aquacel Ag Hydrofiber Dressing with Ionic Silver

Aquacel Ag Hydrofiber Dressing with Ionic Silver on sale at TotalHomeCareSupplies

Aquacel Ag Hydrofiber Wound Dressing with Ionic Silver is a versatile, antimicrobial wound care product designed by ConvaTec and popular with medical professionals everywhere.

Aquacel Ag dressing combines the gelling characteristics of Hydrofiber Technology with the broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties of ionic silver (Ag+). This primary dressing is ideal for moderate to highly exuding wounds where there is either an infection present, or the wound is at an increased risk of infection.  Aquacel Ag Wound Dressing conforms to the area of infection, and is soft for added comfort.

Aquacel Ag is indicated for use on acute and chronic wounds, including:

  • Partial-thickness burns (2nd degree burns) on children and adults
  • Surgical wounds
  • Skin graft and donor sites
  • Pressure ulcers
  • Diabetic foot ulcers
  • Leg ulcers and more

Aquacel Ag Hydrofiber Wound Dressing with Ionic Silver is sold on TotalHomeCareSupplies in ribbon form, with stichbonding for added strength:

  • SQ 403771       2cm X 45cm       5 Dressings/Box       $110.80

All orders come packaged in discreet, unmarked boxes for customer privacy, and shipping is completely free on all orders over $40.  Read about our Fast, Free, Discreet shipping policy here.  For more high-quality, low-cost wound care supplies, visit TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.

Care More.  Spend Less.  Save Now.

Hidden Summer Dangers: 7 Tips for Senior Safety in the Sun

Posted by on May 24, 2013 under Resources | Read the First Comment

200275541-001Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy outdoor activities with loved ones!  Whether it’s a baseball game, a barbecue or a trip to the beach, warm summer weather provides plenty of opportunities to relax and connect with family and friends.

Summer weather also hides additional dangers for older adults, who are more susceptible to heat-related illness.  Seniors are less likely to feel thirst,  and often take medications that could cause heightened sensitivity to the sun, making them more vulnerable to sunburn, dehydration and heatstroke.   With a few simple precautions, you can reduce these risks, so be sure to follow these 7 important tips for senior sun safety:

  1. Drink plenty of fluids.  Seniors are less likely to feel thirsty, which means dehydration can come on without warning and quickly become dangerous.  Try to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, and increase your water intake if you plan on doing any physical activity or if the weather is extra hot.
  2. Wear the right clothing.  The best clothing for sun protection should be lightweight, breathable, and provide full coverage.  Choose long-sleeved, breathable fabrics such as cotton, and wear wide-brimmed hats for additional sun protection.
  3. Apply sunscreen early and often.  Sunscreen needs time to work, so don’t wait until you’re out in the sun to use it.  Try to apply sunscreen 30 to 60 minutes before you head outside, and be sure to reapply it every two hours.  Choose a sunscreen over 30spf that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation.
  4. Stay indoors during the hottest hours.  The sun is most intense during the middle part of the day.  If you like to golf or garden, try to arrange these activities for the early morning or evening, when the weather is cooler.  Try to stay indoors when the sun is at its peak.
  5. Protect your eyes.  Seniors have very sensitive eyes.  Wearing full-coverage sunglasses that protect against both UVA and UVB radiation can help reduce eye problems from cumulative damage, such as age-related macular degeneration or cataracts.
  6. Check your medications.  Some medications can cause increased sensitivity to the sun.  Take the time to look through your medications for sun-related warnings, and talk to your doctor about any concerns or questions you have.
  7. Signs of HeatstrokeKnow the signs the heat stroke.  Adults over 65 are more susceptible to heat-related illness.  Knowing the signs of heat stroke can save the life of you or a loved one.  If you’re spending time in the sun and notice a flushed face, high body temperature, headache, nausea, rapid pulse, dizziness, or lack of sweating despite the heat,  take immediate action!  Move quickly by drinking water, applying an ice pack to the back of the neck and moving out of the sun.

For more health information and useful tips, visit our Resources Blog on Total Home Care Supplies.  To shop for incontinenceostomyurological or wound supplies, visit our TotalHomeCareSupplies.com web store.

Care More.  Spend Less.  Save Now.