Tag Archives: incontinence supplies

Prevail StretchFit Comfort Supreme Diapers

Posted by Brooke Phillips on April 18, 2013 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Prevail StretchFit Comfort Supreme Diaper Coming Soon to Total Home Care Supplies!

Total Home Care Supplies will soon be selling the new Prevail Stretchfit Comfort Supreme Diaper! The Stretchfit Comfort Supreme Diaper is an upgrade to the Prevail Stretchfit Brief. It comes with several new “Comfort Supreme” premium feature upgrades, including:

Hypoallergenic SkinSmart Fabric containing Aloe, Chamomile and Vitamin E for skin wellness.
Odor Guard Technology that helps prevent and lock away odors before they happen.
Easy Read Wetness Indicator with new, fast-acting technology that gives a clear indication when the brief is wet.
Premium Diamond Pattern to give the look and feel of true underwear.
Discreet Color/Sizing Coding indicates the size of the diaper by pattern color, for quick, easy identification.

In addition to these premium comfort upgrades, the StretchFit Comfort Supreme Diaper is made from a new, softer stretchy material that has greater stretch. This means that StretchFit Comfort Supreme Diaper Size B will now fit up to 70 inches around the waist.

Total Home Care Supplies will sell the new Stretchfit Comfort Supremes in the following sizes:

FQ SF-A SIZE A (fits a 32-54 inch waist) 96/CS $77.28
FQ SF-B SIZE B (fits a 49-68 inch waist) 96/CS $77.28

We offer reliable, fast, discreet shipping on all orders – and orders over $40 ship completely free, guaranteed! Never worry about running out of incontinence supplies again: sign up for EZ ship, and schedule easy, automatic deliveries of your preferred incontinence products. For more incontinence supplies, visit TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.

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Top 10 Health Benefits of Laughter

Posted by Brooke Phillips on April 16, 2013 under Resources | Read the First Comment

Can a laugh a day keep the doctor away? Laughing is not only fun, but it also has a measurable impact on our health! See these amazing top 10 health benefits of laughter:

Laughter reduces stress and combats depression. During a hearty fit of laughter, stress hormones cortisone, dopamine, and adrenaline are replaced by positive endorphins and neurotransmitters. This flood of positive hormones reduces stress and fights depression at the same time.
Laughter invigorates the immune system. Laughter activates your body’s release of antihistamines, T-cells and natural antibodies. In other words, laughter actually helps fight infections and strengthens your immune system.
Laughter improves learning and memory. It’s pretty straightforward: we WANT to remember things we enjoy! Did you have a favorite teacher growing up? Did they make you laugh, and make learning fun? Laughter improves both learning and information retention.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughing can be a cardiovascular workout. It increases blood flow and raises blood oxygen levels. This reduces the risk of heart attack, improves your cardiovascular health, and reduces blood pressure.
Laughter’s a great workout. Did you know that 100-200 belly laughs a day are the equivalent of a high impact workout? You can burn up to 500 calories a day with some serious gut-wrenching guffaws! Looks like there’s more than one way to build a six pack…
Laughter improves sleep quality. When we’re dealing with high levels of stress and anxiety, our sleep suffers. Reducing stress hormones with daily doses of laughter not only creates a more positive attitude – it also reduces insomnia and improves the quality of your sleep.
Laughter relieves pain. Think of laughter like a healthy painkiller, but without the side effects. Laughter distracts the mind from pain, and rewards it with positive endorphins.
Laughter gets the creative juices flowing. How often do you wrestle with a problem for days, only to find that as soon as you relax and do something fun, the solution comes to you? Laughter helps to break you out of your thought cycle, getting the creative juices flowing.
Laughter renews energy. When you laugh, your body and mind relax and recharge. Have you ever noticed a renewed burst of energy after laughing with friends? That’s because laughter is a muscle relaxant. While your stomach muscles contract, the rest of your muscles relax. Laugh, relax, and refresh your energy naturally!
Laughter is a relationship saver. Sharing a sense of humor tends to bring people together. Laughing together can smooth over awkward social interactions and lighten the mood. Whether it’s friendship or love, lots of laughter is a sign of a healthy relationship.

For more health information and useful tools, please visit our Resources Blog on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com. For brand-name incontinence, ostomy, urological or wound supplies, visit our Total Home Care Supplies web store! Fast, Free, Discreet shipping on all orders over $40.

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Walk Your Way to Better Health! Walking Tips and Tidbits

Posted by Brooke Phillips on April 8, 2013 under Resources | Read the First Comment

Walking 101

Walking as a fitness activity is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s low-risk and easy to start, it has proven and measurable health benefits, and it’s completely free! Among other benefits, a regular walking program can:

Read more on our Six Week Walking Challenge!

Improve your cholesterol profile
Boost your bone strength
Lower blood pressure
Prevent weight gain
Increase your energy and stamina

How Much Should I Walk?

Experts at the American Heart Association recommend that every American adult engage in 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity daily, a minimum of 2½ hours per week. You can do that by walking two miles briskly (about four miles an hour). If this is too fast, or if you’re a beginner walker, choose a more comfortable pace.

Get Ready!

It’s simple to start a walking program! All you need are comfortable clothes and supportive shoes. Wear layers of loose clothing, keeping in mind that brisk exercise elevates the body’s temperature. Choose supportive, properly fitting footwear; shoes specifically designed for walking or running are best. Make sure you have a little wiggle room (½”) between your longest toe and the end of your shoe.

Technique

Begin with short distances. Start with a walk that feels comfortable (5–10 min) and gradually increase your time or distance each week. If it’s easier on your joints (or your schedule) to take several shorter walks instead of one long walk each day, that’s fine, too!
Focus on posture. Keep your head lifted, stomach pulled in and shoulders relaxed. Swing your arms naturally. Select a comfortable, natural step length, and don’t overstride. If you want to move faster, try to pull your back leg through to take the next step more quickly.
Breathe deeply. If you can’t talk or catch your breath while walking, slow down. Speed isn’t important at first — just focus on establishing the walking habit.

Intensity

To warm up, walk at an easy pace for the first few minutes, then gradually increase your speed to a purposeful pace. You can incorporate some brisk intervals to add variety, such as: walking one block briskly, then two blocks more slowly, and repeating several times. As your strength increases, gradually add more fast intervals with shorter recovery periods
Walking hills is a great way to tone your legs and increase your workout! Treadmill walking is also a good option during inclement weather.
The end of your walk is an ideal time to stretch since your body is warmed up. Stretch your hamstrings and calves gently (important walking muscles) as well as your chest, shoulders and back. Hold each stretch for 15–30 seconds, but never stretch to the point of pain.
Track your progress. Experts recommend that you walk at least 30 minutes a day. If walking is part of your weight-loss plan, then walking 45-60 minutes a day at brisk intervals will help you burn more calories. If you don’t have that much time, fit walking into your schedule whenever you can – even if it means three 10-minute walks over the course of a day. The best schedule is one that keeps you walking and keeps you fit!

Safety

Feel free to listen to lively music while you walk to energize your workout. But if you wear headphones, keep the volume down and watch out for traffic.
Wear light colors or reflective clothing and carry a flashlight or glow stick when visibility is low, so that you can be easily seen by motorists.
Stick to sidewalks when you can, and choose streets with lower speed limits. On faster streets, motorists are less likely to see pedestrians and can’t stop as quickly.
Know your area. Which businesses are open? Where are emergency telephones located? Walk on well-traveled streets rather than taking shortcuts in alleys or parking lots. Be self-assured and walk purposefully to lower your chances of becoming a victim.
Two heads are better than one. Walking with a partner or in groups discourages crime and may help alert you to dangers such as speeding motorists or unleashed dogs.
If you have foot, knee, hip or back pain when walking, STOP and check with your doctor. You may need special exercises or different shoes. If you have osteoarthritis, and have increased joint pain that lasts an hour or two after walking, your doctor may suggest another activity like stationary cycling or water exercise. Don’t stop exercising altogether!

This walking program was developed by the American Council on Exercise in collaboration with the American Heart Association. ©2011 American Council on Exercise, all rights reserved. For more information on the health benefits of walking, or for additional health and nutrition information, please visit our Resources and Tools blog on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.

To shop for incontinence,ostomy, urological or wound supplies, please visit our Total Home Care Supplies web store. Fast, Free, Discreet shipping on all orders over $40.

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What is a HCPCS Code?

Posted by Brooke Phillips on April 4, 2013 under Resources | Be the First to Comment

What are HCPCS Codes?

HCPCS, or “hic-pics”, stands for “Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System” numbers. These codes are used by Medicare and Medicaid to standardize and monitor healthcare procedures and medical supplies. HCPCS Codes are assigned to every service a medical practitioner provides you, from a flu vaccination (90658) to a routine physical (99214) to surgery! These are called HCPCS Level I codes, and are usually a series of five numbers. HCPCS Level I codes may also be referred to as CPT codes, since they’re based on the CPT Codes (Current Procedural Technology codes) developed by the American Medical Association.

HCPCS codes are also assigned to non-physician medical services (such as an ambulance ride), and medical items and supplies. These are called HCPCS Level II codes, and are also five digits – although these codes are alphanumeric, and usually begin with a letter followed by four numbers. The letter at the beginning of the HCPCS Level II codes refers to a specific medical grouping, such as “V2020” (vision and hearing services) or “T1000” (codes used by the state Medicaid agency).

As a patient, you can find find HCPCS / CPT Codes in a number of places. You might receive a piece of paper after an appointment with your doctor that reviews your visit, with a long list of HCPCS codes (possible services your doctor provided) – and some of them circled. Or if your appointment requires additional billing from your doctor or your health insurance, HCPCS codes should be on those bills. If you receive a bill from either your doctor or your health insurance without these codes, you have every right to contact the sender and request a statement that includes the codes. A savvy healthcare consumer can keep an eye on these codes to make sure that your insurance (and your co-pays and co-insurances) are paying only for the services you received!

At this time, Total Home Care Supplies does not courtesy bill insurance, but by clicking on your order history, you can see the HCPCS codes of all the products that you use.

To shop for home health care supplies, visit TotalHomeCareSupplies.com. We know you have many options when you shop, and we work hard to offer you the newest brand-name incontinence, ostomy, urological and wound products at affordable prices.

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First Quality Prevail Bariatric Briefs

Posted by Brooke Phillips on April 3, 2013 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

First Quality Prevail Bariatric Adult Briefs on sale at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

If you’re looking for premium quality bariatric diapers at affordable prices, look no further than First Quality Prevail Bariatric Briefs! First Quality incontinence products offer superior performance and features at surprisingly affordable prices.

Prevail Bariatric Adult Briefs provide moderate to heavy incontinence protection with soft, stretchy side panels for a more secure and comfortable fit. These bariatric-sized adult diapers feature a cloth-like outer fabric for comfort. Prevail’s patented Advanced Zoning System increases protection just where you need it most, and fecal containment zones reduce the potential for leakage and improve odor control.

These Prevail diapers come in two sizes: Bariatric A (2XL) and Bariatric B (largest size). This largest size adult brief available accomodates hip measurements up to 94 inches. It also features Dual Refastening Strips for strong, secure closure that will stay in place even under stress. QUICK WICK technology pulls moisture away from the skin, increasing comfort and protecting skin, while Odor Guard technology helps prevent odors before they start.

Best-Selling Features:

Wide, soft, stretch side panels for a more secure comfortable fit
Dual refastening strips for strong closure that will stay in place even under stress
Cloth-like outer fabric
QUICK WICK™
Advanced Zoning System® (AZS®)
Odor Guard™ that helps prevent odors before they start

Available sizes:

FQ PV017 Bariatric A/2XL (62-73 inch waist) 48/Case $59.00
FQ PV094 Bariatric B (Up to 94 inch waist) 40/Case $72.99

At Total Home Care Supplies, all orders over $40 ship completely free, guaranteed! Never worry about running out of incontinence supplies again: sign up for EZ ship, and schedule easy, automatic deliveries of your preferred incontinence products. For more incontinence supplies, visit TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.

First Quality Nu-Fit Adult Diapers

Posted by Brooke Phillips on April 1, 2013 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

For comfort, quality and superior protection, customers love First Quality Nu-Fit Adult Briefs!

First Quality Nu-Fit Adult Briefs on sale at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

These comfortable adult diapers provide protection for moderate to heavy incontinence . The Nu-Fit brief features First Quality’s Advanced Zoning System, which provides added protection where you need it most and ensures maximum leakage protection. The adult diaper’s patented QUICK WICK layer pulls moisture away from the skin for added comfort and to promote skin dryness. Its soft, cloth-like outer fabric is comfortable against fragile skin, and breathable zones allow air to circulate freely, reducing heat build-up and helping maintain skin wellness. Easy-Lock Fastener (ELF) reattaching tabs securely grip and hold anywhere on the diaper, and will reattach over and over again without being sticky.

First Quality Nu-Fit Adult Diapers come in three sizes:

FQ NU012 Medium (32-44 inch waist) 96/Case $47.70
FQ NU013 Large (45-58 inch waist) 72/Case $47.68
FQ NU014 Extra Large (59-64 inch waist) 60/Case $39.76

First Quality Prevail Adult Briefs – Customer Favorite!

Posted by Brooke Phillips on March 28, 2013 under BladderMatters | Read the First Comment

First Quality Prevail Adult Briefs on sale at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

A long-time customer favorite, First Quality Prevail IB Adult Briefs are designed for moderate to heavy incontinence protection. Designed to fit and feel more like typical underwear, Prevail IB Adult Diapers have extended fluff in both the front and back panels to create enhanced security and comfort for the wearer. These soft, full-mat briefs also feature an Advanced Zoning System to increase protection where you need it most, ensuring maximum leakage protection and promoting skin dryness.

Best-Selling Features:

Soft, full-fitting absorbent mat with complete coverage for confidence and security
Wetness indicators that change color when brief is wet
Multi-strand leg elastic ensures a snug, comfortable fit
Ultra-absorbent core for superior incontinence management and skin dryness
Bonded construction that resists tearing and clumping
100% Latex-free

First Quality Prevail Adult Diapers are offered in three sizes:

FQ IB012 Medium (32-44 inch waist) 96/CS $48.00
FQ IB013 Large (45-58 inch waist) 72/CS $45.00
FQ IB014 Extra-Large (59-64 inch waist) 64/CS $42.00

Prevail Breezers Adult Diapers

Posted by Brooke Phillips on March 26, 2013 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Prevail Breezers Adult Briefs on sale at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

Looking for an adult diaper that provides maximum protection, yet is comfortable to wear? Prevail Breezers Adult Briefs are ideal for maximum plus incontinence protection with outstanding performance and comfort-enhancing features! Prevail Breezers are made with a soft, cloth-like outer fabric to increase wearer comfort and to reduce the risk of skin irritation. The hypoallergenic fabric contains Aloe, Chamomile and Vitamin E for skin wellness.

Breezers Adult Diapers have wick-away cores with superior softness and maximum absorption, while odor guard technology helps prevent odors from forming for added discretion. Breathable zones allow air to flow freely, maintaining skin wellness and reducing heat build-up. And for a custom fit, Easy Lock Fasteners seal and reseal without ever sticking to the skin.

Outstanding Performance Features:

Skin Smart Fabric

Odor Guard Technology
Breathable Zones
Soft, Cloth-Like Outer Fabric
Easy-Lock Fastener (ELF)Tabs
Maximum Plus Absorbancy QUICK WICK core with MaxSoft
Easy Read Wetness Indicator
100% Latex-free

Breezers adult diapers are offered in three sizes:

FQ PVB-012 Medium (32- 44 inch waist) 96/Case $64.02
FQ PVB-013 Large (45-58 inch waist) 72/Case $64.00
FQ PVB-014 Extra Large (59-64 inch waist) 60/Case $60.80

First Quality Per-Fit Adult Pull-Ups

Posted by Brooke Phillips on under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Customers love First Quality Per-Fit Adult Protective Underwear! These adult pull-ups provide moderate to maximum leakage protection and comfort. Per-Fit Adult Protective Underwear have an extremely soft, comfortable, cloth-like outer fabric to reduce noise for wearer discretion. Ventilated waist panels improve skin health and comfort by reducing heat build-up. Why spend more on name-brand products when you can find the same quality pull-ups for less? Per-Fit pull-ups offer the same features and performance of your favorite drug store brand at an economical price.

Per-Fit Adult Protective Underwear on sale at Total Home Care Supplies

Per-Fit adult pull ups are rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, and 92% of respondents would recommend them to a friend. Read some of what our reviewers have to say:

“Very satisfied. I regularly order these for my mom. She prefers Per-Fit because they have a more comfortable fit and are less bulky than other brands she has used. They don’t tear when pulled off and on.”

“We will buy this product again and again. My wife uses this product for total protection from leakage…the fit is great and the underwear is comfortable to wear. Also the service from THCS is the best…love that I can order and know that our order will be here on time…and to know that they will correct any problem quickly. Thank you THCS!”

“The price is right. I was buying the same product from a local drugstore and spending $5.00 more, they just lost a customer.”

“This product is just what we needed. This company is “Johnny on the spot”! We received the items within a couple of days after ordering. Another company I ordered the same product from took weeks to deliver. I actually had to ask for my money back before they even shipped the order. I am very pleased with Total Home Care Supplies, the products, and their service.”

Per-Fit Adult Protective Underwear come in three sizes:

FQ PF-512 Medium (34-44 inch waist) 80/Case $42.00
FQ PF-513 Large (44-58 inch waist) 72/Case $49.00
FQ PF-514 Extra Large (58-68 inch waist) 56/Case $38.00

Fad or Fruitful? The Benefits of a Balanced pH Diet

Posted by Brooke Phillips on March 18, 2013 under Resources | Read the First Comment

You may have heard about the Alkaline Diet – a mostly vegetarian diet that’s centered around the pH balance of the foods we eat. If you’re like us, you may be wondering if there’s any value to it – so we did a little research for you!

Everything around us registers on the pH spectrum, from completely acidic (0) to completely alkaline (14). Even our own bodies maintain a pH balance; we require a blood pH value between 7.35 and 7.45 and a stomach pH of 1.35-3.5 in order to function properly. The Alkaline Diet believes that one of the best ways to help our bodies maintain a proper pH balance is by consuming a balance of the right foods. Ideally, our diets should have a healthy balance of acidic and alkaline foods . Where does your diet fall?

Foods and Beverages on the pH Spectrum

The pH balance our body requires is a narrow window, and any time we slip outside of that window, our bodies work to bring it back into that zone. Don’t worry – regardless of the foods we eat, that’s what our bodies are designed to do. You’ll notice that in the infographic above, there are lots of healthy foods pictured in the “Alkaline” section, and some not-so-healthy (but tasty!) foods pictured in the “Acidic” section. However in the text below the image, you can see that there are plenty of healthy food choices that fall into the “Acidic” section as well. Doctors have found no evidence that our blood pH is affected by the foods we eat – however, research proves it does affect the pH balance of our urine.

What does this mean? Highly acidic diets can lower urine pH and raise the risk for kidney stones, as well as irritate the bladder and erode teeth enamel. Eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables, like the alkaline diet, can raise urine pH and reduce the risk for kidney stones – and it’s more gentle on the bladder, teeth and gums.

Remember, in a pH-balanced diet, the point is not to eliminate acid- or alkaline-forming foods, but to maintain healthy balance. A diet that’s healthy for your heart, weight, blood-pressure and colon will most likely be pH-balanced as well. Highly-processed foods tend to be more acidic after digestion than minimally-processed foods. Many of the chemicals in highly-processed or mass-produced foods (such as pesticides) tend to be acid-forming. This means simply choosing organic or locally-grown produce – and thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables before you eat them – can potentially reduce the acid in your diet.

See these food charts by degree of Alkallinity or Acidity:

If your blood pH is outside of the zone, it’s most likely a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as kidney failure – and not the foods you eat. For questions or concerns about your blood pH, consult with your primary care doctor.

For more health and nutrition information, or for incontinence, ostomy, urological and wound home care supplies, visit our resources blog on totalhomecaresupplies.com.

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