Conflicts in Caregiving: In-Laws

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on July 30, 2015 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Today is actually National Father-In-Law Day. Do you have father-in-law that you love? Are you currently caring for one of your parents-in-law? Helping to care for the person or persons who raised your spouse, welcomed you into their family and have been a wonderful grandparents can be the perfect way to give back and help. But sometimes conflicts can arise from helping those outside of your immediate family.

Oftentimes, a married couple will be a team, helping to take care of one or another’s parents. But depending on careers, personalities and traditional roles, the wife can be the one more likely to end up caring for her husband’s parents. And that in turn can lead to resentment. What can be done to help with couples make the best of these situations?

All caregivers should know that some people take to caregiving better than others. Caregiving is not for everyone. Each spouse needs to be aware of this and try to determine if they are capable of providing care for an elderly parent. If they discover that the work is more than hard (all caregivers, even if they love their role, find the work hard) but is making them miserable for a variety of reasons, they need to have an open discussion about that with their spouse, and the other spouse needs to respect their feelings on providing care.

If one spouse is determined to be able to care better for the elderly parents, and agrees to do so, the other spouse needs to be extremely supportive to them. Keep this mantra in mind: If you can’t BE a caregiver, SUPPORT a caregiver.

Incontinence Products vs. Feminine Products

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on July 28, 2015 under BladderMatters | Read the First Comment

Original post written for LiveConfidently.com

For women, bladder control issues can occur at various stages of life. Light bladder leakage is most commonly experienced during pregnancy, after childbirth, and throughout menopause. When these symptoms of incontinence arise, many women use feminine hygiene products for protection due to convenience or their level of comfort selecting and purchasing these products in the store. However, not all absorbent products are equal, and using feminine hygiene products for incontinence needs can lead to issues with odor and leakage.

Consider this example. While pantiliners for feminine hygiene and incontinence needs appear similar at a glance, there are important product differences. Pantiliners for feminine hygiene are designed to absorb small amounts of occasional discharge, while pantiliners for incontinence protection are designed to rapidly absorb and lock away urine flow. Incontinence protection products for women are also available for a multitude of absorbency needs, ranging from very light liners to more absorbent pads. In general, these products are designed to lock fluid away so an active person doesn’t have to worry about leakage during normal daily activities.

Many modern incontinence protection products also include odor control systems that neutralize the creation of odors caused by urine. This means that the products actually prevent odors from forming instead of attempting to conceal odors by masking them with a fragrance. To find out which incontinence protection products are available for your needs, take a look at our incontinence product selector tool.

On occasion, women are embarrassed to purchase incontinence products and instead buy feminine hygiene products for their light bladder leakage needs. This occurs because feminine care products are considered a normal part of women’s protection needs, while incontinence may be viewed as a medical issue or problem. Increasingly, incontinence products are being designed to look and feel like feminine hygiene pads and pantiliners to reinforce a sense of normalcy when purchasing or using these products. In addition to retail store locations, products are available through online retailers for worry-free shipping and convenience. You may want to refer to our product retailer locator for a list of stores and websites that sell incontinence protection products.

What factors do you take into consideration when purchasing products for light bladder leakage? Let us know on our female incontinence forum!

You can find the original article here.

Social Wellness Month

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on July 16, 2015 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

July is Social Wellness Month, a month where everyone is encouraged to nurture their relationships with friends and focus on taking care of themselves.

So what does this mean for busy caregivers, who can barely find time as it is? Here are some tips for sneaking in some time for yourself and time to spend with friends, among all the demands on your time:

Buy some plants and water them while doing other things
Plants can bring new life into a house and make things a little more vibrant. But watering them can be a pain to remember. Try combining two activities, like watering in the morning while brushing your teeth. This way you can watch the plants grow during the couple minutes of brushing time.
Chat during dinner
The speaker mode on your phone can be a life-changer. Assuming you’re not eating anything too crunchy or slurpy, a very good friend likely won’t mind if you chat with them over a meal. Hopefully they’ll just be thankful that you found a few minutes to catch up with them.
Include your friends in your caregiving duties
Do you take a stroll everyday with your caree, either walking or with them in a wheelchair? If not, you may want to try to add that to your routine – it can do wonders for both of you. And if you do, could you invite one of your friends to join you on that walk? And maybe stick around for an afternoon cup of coffee? Even if you only have time for a half-hour visit, don’t be afraid to ask a friend to drop by. They probably have been hoping they could, but don’t want to impose.

Even if you’re not able to fit these ideas into your busy schedule, try and focus on the fact that you need time for yourself and you are worth it. Even entertaining fantasies of doing things alone or with friends is better than getting stuck in the idea that everyday is crazy.

What will you be doing for Social Wellness Month?

Caregiver Blogs – July Highlight

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on July 9, 2015 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Wow! We’re already well into summer, but before it passes us by, we’d like to take another moment to highlight a few caregiver blogs that we’ve really been enjoying lately.

The Cute Syndrome
Hillary Savoy decided to call her blog “The Cute Syndrome” because while she was discussing her daughter’s un-diagnosed genetic disorders and various syndromes with a friend, the friend commented, “yeah, she has a syndrome. A cute syndrome.” And the pictures of Esme on this blog are really very cute. Hilary has also written a book about her journey with Esme through the world of genetic testing that is available through her site.

The Purple Jacket
This blog is written by Chris MacLellan, AKA, The Bow Tie Guy. Chris was a caregiver of his partner, Richard, until Richard passed away in 2014. Now Chris helps advocate for caregivers. The story of him caring for Richard during his last days was told in the Sun Sentinel newspaper and has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

Chasing Rainbows
Kate Leong’s tale is one of both sadness and hope. Her first child, Gavin, was born with some disabilities, exacerbated by bouts with both Botulism and Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) while he was still under six months of age. Kate continued to write about Gavin and the therapy he received for his special needs, along with his younger brother, Brian – until Gavin’s death in 2013. Since then, Kate’s blog has focused on the grief and happiness that has come with her son’s death, and her new daughter Hope. While her current story is just as compelling as her past, her older blog posts about Gavin’s therapy may be helpful for those with special needs children of their own.

Hollister Adapt Paste: 79300

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on June 25, 2015 under Ostomy Care | Read the First Comment

Welcome back to our series about ostomy items available here on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com. Today we’re going to take a look an ostomy accessory item, paste. Paste is used by those with ostomies to fill in (or caulk) the uneven skin that may exist in the stoma area, in order to create a better seal for the bag. A flat skin surface is ideal for a great flange seal, and the paste can be used to prevent any output drainage from getting under the pouch seal.

On Total Home Care Supplies, we sell a two ounce tube of Adapt paste, which should last most ostomates at least a couple of months (depending on how much paste they use during each bag change and how often they change their bag).

The paste can be used on the skin barrier or on the skin itself, or both. It’s up to the individual to determine how best the paste can be utilized. Some people find that the paste works best when it’s been allowed to “set” for a few minutes, so you can either apply it to your new skin barrier piece before you remove your old pouch, or, if applying to your skin, you can put it on first thing after cleaning your skin and have it on while allowing your skin some drying time. Make sure you clean and dry your skin well before applying the paste or other ostomy products.

Please keep in mind that the paste does not have any adhesive properties to it, and too much paste may affect the seal. Also, the paste does contain alcohol, which may sting to irritated skin. Please alert your health care professional to any irritated skin you may have, as it is not normal to have that skin issue.

What are the best uses you’ve found for the Hollister Adapt Paste? Tell us in the comments!

National Aphasia Awareness Month

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on June 4, 2015 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

June is National Aphasia Awareness Month! What is aphasia, you might ask? As defined by Aphasia.org:

Aphasia is an impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write. Aphasia is always due to injury to the brain-most commonly from a stroke, particularly in older individuals. But brain injuries resulting in aphasia may also arise from head trauma, from brain tumors, or from infections.

Reasons for someone developing aphasia also include other neurological causes, such as dementia. There are two different types: expressive aphasia is when the subject has lost the ability to speak and write and receptive aphasia, where the individual cannot always understand spoken or written words. It’s essentially a disconnect between the parts of the brain that process language (spoken or written) and the mouth, eyes or ears.

In 2007, the comic strip For Better or For Worse began a story line wherein the main character’s elderly father has a stroke and, as he begins to recover, he struggles with aphasia.

You can find all of the For Better or For Worse comics relating to this stroke/aphasia story line here.

Cover image originally from National Stroke Association’s website, where you can also find suggestions for how to support those with aphasia and work towards ending preventable strokes. Tell us how you recognize National Aphasia Awareness Month!

Closer Look: Pads and Liners

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on May 21, 2015 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Often people jump straight to the assumption that those with incontinence must wear adult diapers or pull-us. But there’s a world of discreet pads and liners that help many people with incontinence, especially if only experiencing light bladder leakage (LBL). Let’s take a look at the different types of pads and liners that we sell here on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.

Some pads and liners are created specifically for each gender. There are pads for men, sometimes called guards, available that are shaped differently to help cater to a man’s anatomy. Some pads are especially designed for men with light to moderate urinary incontinence or those with post-prostate surgery incontinence.

Pads and liners for women are generally shaped like an hourglass to cater to a woman’s anatomy. Women should keep in mind that pads and liners that are used for menstrual periods are not as effective at containing urine as items that are specifically manufactured for incontinence. Some incontinence pads have stay-dry strip that wicks liquid away quickly, eliminating odor concerns. Some incontinence liners guarantee that will they stay three-times drier than leading period-only liners.

Most pads and liners are held in place by an adhesive strip, some that are full-length for security. If you’re allergic to latex, it’s easy to find pads that are latex free. It’s also helpful to keep in mind that pads an liners come in different lengths, so you can experiment and find which length works best for you. It’s easy to do this when ordering samples, which you can find on our site here.

Please let us know if you have any questions about incontinence pads and liners – we’re here to help!

Shout Out to Nursing Homes

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on May 12, 2015 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

People have varied feelings about nursing homes. Part of how they feel about them depends on their age. Part depends on what nursing homes they’ve experienced in person or through the media. Part of it depends on whether or not they can picture themselves in a nursing home or if they would rather age in place for as long as possible. But no matter how people feel about them, there are nursing homes out there where the residents are well cared for and enjoying their lives.

When a decision is made by an individual, or their family, to move into a nursing home, several positive changes can take place. These changes include allowing a former family caregiver to go from being a caretaker back to being a family member. Or giving the elder the ability to interact with their peers. Or the family being able to feel secure in the knowledge that the elder’s complex medical needs will be handled by professionals.

Additionally, there are different types of nursing homes available, depending on what level of care an individual needs. Even homes that provide a lot of skilled nursing can still also provide social activities.

One thing that is important to remember is that a nursing home decision should ideally be made before a crisis creates an immediate need for a move into such a facility. But even if a family is in the middle of a care crisis, many nursing homes are very accommodating and flexible.

What experiences have you had with nursing homes? We’d love to hear some experiences our readers have had!

Seniors and Hoarding

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on April 30, 2015 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

While hoarding is definitely not a problem that solely affects seniors, it can become an issue for elderly adults for several reasons. A lifetime of hanging onto precious items can eventually result in simply having too much stuff. A move to a smaller home can bring about an initial clean-out, but later the person may be used to purchasing or keeping more than the new home can hold. There are also the mental reasons people hoard, which can become more pronounced with the onset of dementia or other diseases. The underlying mental reasons of why people hoard can be varied, but what can be done about the problem?

If there is just some clutter here and there, or it’s more stuff than you feel comfortable with, but the senior is happy – ask yourself if it’s important. If the items give them joy and only make their place feel messy, maybe it’s not worth the anguish of trying to get them to throw things out. But when it becomes a safety issue, either from the amount of dust that’s accumulating (especially if they or consistent visitors are allergic) or from the clutter impeding pathways, it’s time to start talking about the issue. The number one cause of falls for seniors is when they’re on the way to the bathroom, so if the pathway is not clear for any reason, that needs to solved.

When it becomes time to confront the problem, be sure to keep the senior involved as much as possible. Sending them out for the day for them to return to a cleaned out house can be devastating for them. So start slow: make short, accomplishable lists and play music while you clean. If they’re resisting and you have permission to speak to their doctor, don’t hesitate to mention the issue.

There are qualified personal that help people pare down their items to a manageable and safe level. A quick Internet search should give you results and reviews. If you have any suggestions for those types of businesses and individuals, please let us know in the comments below. And good luck!

Good Incontinence Hygiene Practices

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on April 15, 2015 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Original post by Dr. Diane Newman for LiveConfidently.com

Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in the body? It is often referred to as a “mirror of the body.” Your skin covers 3,000 square inches of surface area, accounts for about 15% of your body weight, and weighs 6 to 12 lbs. It receives one-third of the blood that is circulating in your body.

The skin is constantly renewing itself by shedding dead cells. As you age, the skin gets thinner and can tear more easily. The skin is very important to your health, as it’s your body’s first line of defense against toxins and bacteria. The skin provides a waterproof covering that retains fluids in the body.

If you cannot control your bladder or bowels, it is important that you practice good skin care and incontinence hygiene each day so you do not develop rashes or infections. Wetness from sweat, urine, and feces can damage your skin. If the wetness stays on your skin and/or in the folds of your skin, your skin has a difficult time keeping a barrier of protection and will start to break down. Once the skin is open, bacteria can enter your skin and cause a rash called perineal dermatitis. Perineal dermatitis is an inflammatory condition of the skin in the perineal area, which is the upper part of the thigh and buttocks that is commonly associated with incontinence. It is manifested by various degrees of skin injury, ranging from redness to areas of denuded skin.

It is vital to cleanse your skin daily—especially the genital area. The genital area is the anus (opening of your rectum where the stool comes out), the penis and scrotum in men, and the outside of the vagina and the opening to the urethra in women.

You can clean this part of your body when you shower or bathe, using regular mild soap and water. You should always clean around your anus after having a bowel movement. Wiping urine or feces away with a washcloth or disposable wipes is also fine. Always clean from front to back. After you are done, pat dry the skin. Don’t rub it dry, as rubbing can cause the skin to break open.

It is important to change a soiled incontinence pad or brief as soon as possible, as you want to minimize the amount of time the wet pad is against your skin.

If you have several bladder and bowel episodes each day or experience nighttime incontinence, you may want to consider putting a “barrier skin product” on the genital area after you clean it. These are skin products made specifically for adults, as the ingredients provide better skin protection than skin products found in diaper rash ointments. Your pharmacist can help you find these products.

When choosing the correct incontinence product, keep the following best practices in mind:

Avoid traditional products made with plastic materials that can be harmful and irritating to your skin.
Look for breathable incontinence products with ventilated areas. They allow air to freely migrate to maintain skin wellness, provide comfort, and reduce heat buildup.
Check for clothlike, hypoallergenic fabrics. Some are even available with skin-soothing ingredients such as aloe, chamomile, and vitamin E.

There are also things you should not do, as they can be harmful to your skin:

Do not shave your pubic hair. Doing so can cause a rash or infection. If the length of the hair in this area bothers you, carefully trim it.
Women should not douche, as this can cause changes in and outside of the vagina, making this area more susceptible to infection.
Avoid sitting in a bathtub full of water. Bathing with a shower is a better option.
Women should avoid using perfumed soaps and lotions that can be irritating to the genital area.

Have any tips to add? Head over to our living with incontinence forum and join the conversation about good incontinence hygiene practices.

You can find the original article here.