Tag Archives: ostomy supplies

Hollister m9 Deodorizer Drops

Posted by Brooke Phillips on April 30, 2013 under Ostomy Care | Be the First to Comment

Hollister m9 Deodorizer Drops on sale at Total Home Care Supplies

Concerned about ostomy odor? Quick and discreet, Hollister m9 Deodorizer Drops are highly effective in eliminating odors from your ostomy bag. M9 odor eliminator drops are safe and convenient to use. Simply place a few drops of m9 into your clean ostomy pouch, then apply. A few drops per wearing is adequate to eliminate odor.

Highly effective in eliminating odors
Safe and convenient to use; add drops of m9 to pouch before applying
Economical; a few drops per wearing is adequate to eliminate odor

A user review of Hollister m9 deodorizer drops gives it 5 out of 5 stars: ‘This product does exactly what it is meant to do. I started by using the maximum recommended amount of 12 drops and found out that you need just a little (about 4 drops) to do the job. The odor was eliminated completely!’

Hollister m9 Deodorizer Drops are available in an 8oz bottle at Total Home Care Supplies:

HS 7717 8 ounce bottle $20.02

For more Hollister colostomy products and ostomy supplies, visit TotalHomeCareSupplies.com. We offer reliable, fast, discreet shipping on all orders – and orders over $40 ship completely free, guaranteed! For ostomy resources and assistance, please visit our Ostomy Care blog on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.

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Fitting Fitness Into a Busy Schedule

Posted by Brooke Phillips on April 26, 2013 under Resources | Read the First Comment

Image courtesy of the American Council on Exercise

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard that exercise is good for you – and that regular exercise is best. What’s the best time to exercise? Anytime! Of course for most of us, actually finding time to exercise is a workout by itself. With days crammed full of work, family and errands, personal activities like exercise tend to be the first on the chopping block.

Enter: walking. Even with a busy schedule, you can find creative ways to fit in a couple of quick 10-minute walking sessions, and presto! You’re on an exercise program. The US Department of Health and Human Services, the American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine have all agreed that two 10-minute walking sessions will benefit us almost as much as one 20-minute session. You just need to fit in a total of 2½ hours over the course of a week (that’s about 20 minutes a day). What are the health benefits of walking? Surprisingly, just walking daily improves cholesterol, boosts bone strength, lowers blood pressure, helps prevent weight gain and increases energy and stamina. It also reduces glaucoma risk, halves your odds of catching a cold, and even reduces your risk for Alzheimer’s and colon cancer, among other benefits.

You can squeeze in those 10–15 minute sessions by stretching your legs around the neighborhood after work, walking to a lunch spot that’s 10 minutes away or heading to the corner store for a few items. Instead of trying to find the closest parking spot when you’re going to the store or out to meet friends, park a little further away and use the extra time you would have spent searching for a close spot to walk there. If you take the bus, get off a stop early. Here are a few more creative scheduling suggestions:

During the work day, take the long way to the copier or restroom. Walk over to talk to someone instead of calling. Instead of a coffee break, take a 10-minute walk break! You’ll burn a few extra calories and help prevent the muscle stiffness that comes from sitting in a chair all day.
To catch up with an old friend, schedule a walk together. It’s a great way to get some exercise and fresh air while you’re enjoying each other’s company. Chances are that you’ll be so focused on the conversation that you’ll walk farther than you planned.
Discuss business plans with colleagues while going for a short walk instead of sitting at a desk. See if you can develop a new corporate culture of “walking meetings.”
On weekends, take a family walk and reconnect with your family members. If the kids want to go to the park or a friend’s house, great! Walk together to get there.
Turn shopping into an aerobic activity. Shopping is walking, so don’t stop for 10 minutes straight and before you know it, you’ve worked in one of your daily sessions. Check with your local mall for mall walker programs, and you’ll have company.

Have any other creative walking suggestions? We’d love to hear them!

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

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

Posted by Brooke Phillips on April 25, 2013 under Resources | Read the First Comment

It’s no surprise to any of us that our memory and comprehension skills deteriorate as we age. However, surprising new research reports that mental decline may start much earlier than was previously believed – possibly as early as age 45! With so many of us working longer and living longer, preventing cognitive decline is increasingly important. Fortunately, what’s good for our hearts is often good for our brains. Read on for six easy ways to protect your aging brain:

Education. Keep mentally active! Our brains produce twice the number of neurons they’ll will need in childhood, but only neurons that are reinforced with use will remain. Take a class in something new, read a book on something that intrigues you, or take a few minutes for a morning crossword puzzle over coffee. Constantly learning and challenging your brain will help you retain neurons and fight age-related cognitive decline.
Exercise. People who suffer from one or more risk factors for heart disease – including obesity, high blood pressure or high cholesterol – are not only at an increased risk for heart attack and stroke, but their risk of dementia skyrockets, too. Just walking regularly for 30-45 minutes 3-5 times a week can protect both your heart and your brain. Now that’s an investment with high returns! See this article on the health benefits of walking, and for a 6 week beginner walking plan.
Rest. Sleep deprivation early in life is linked to memory loss as we age. And losing just two hours of sleep a night – sleeping 6 hours instead of 8 – will hinder your thinking and memory the next day. Sleep deprivation is also linked to higher risks of heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Make adequate, restful sleep a priority! 8 hours a night may help prevent memory loss in both the immediate and long term.
Healthy Diet. Just like with exercise, what benefits the body also benefits the brain. Eat a healthy diet, keep indulgences within moderation, maintain healthy cholesterol levels and your memory will thank you! New research is showing that certain foods boost cognitive function, too – see this article on the 5 best foods for your brain.
Reduce Stress. Chronic stress drives our bodies to release corticosteroids (stress hormones). Over time, or in large quantities, these hormones will wear away the neurons in the hippocampus as well as weaken our immune systems. So if you’re managing chronic stress, it’s not only affecting your health – it’s also potentially damaging your memory and increasing your rate of cognitive decline. Take stress seriously! Here are 23 scientifically-backed ways to reduce chronic stress.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure). As we age, our brains actually lose weight and begin to shrink; most of the weight lost is water. (Unfortunately, drinking more water won’t change this – although drinking water has powerful health benefits.) That brain shrinkage usually leads to worsened cognitive abilities, which is partly why the older we get, the more our memories fail. Hypertension actually speeds up normal brain shrinkage, increasing the rate of cognitive decline. Fortunately, everything that’s recommended above will also work to reduce hypertension: a healthy diet, exercise, reducing stress, getting adequate rest and so on. For some people, medication is also necessary to help reduce their blood pressure. If you have questions about medication, talk to your primary care physician.

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.

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Walking Tips & Tidbits: How to Warm Up, Stretch and Cool Down

Posted by Brooke Phillips on April 19, 2013 under Resources | Be the First to Comment

Image courtesy of the American Council on Exercise

Are you walking your way to better health? Just like with any exercise program, warming up and cooling down with gentle stretches is important. You can prevent injury, improve circulation and range of motion, and speed the healing of sore muscles simply by gently stretching the muscles you use for walking. Here are some key warm ups, cool downs and stretching exercises recommended by the American Council on Exercise and the American Heart Association:

Warm Up

Begin with low-intensity aerobic activity that warms up the muscles you will be using during your workout. If you’re a walker, this simply means you should walk at an easy pace for the first few minutes of your walk. Once your muscles start to feel warm and loose, gradually increase your pace. The duration of your warm-up should depend on the intensity of your walk and your fitness level.

Stretching

Flexibility exercises may be included after your warm-up, or, even better, at the end of your walk. Stretching muscles after warming them up with low-intensity aerobic activity will produce a better stretch since the rise in muscle temperature and circulation increases muscle elasticity, making them more pliable. Be sure to choose flexibility exercises that stretch the primary muscles you will be using during your workout. Great stretches for walking include: hamstrings, Achilles tendons and calves, hip flexors, abductors, as well as upper body stretches such as opening the chest and stretching the low back. (Never stretch until the point of pain! Gently stretch until you feel resistance, and hold the stretch there.)

Stretches for Walking:

Hamstring Stretch: Prop one foot up on a low secure bench or stair step. Stand tall. Keeping your chest high, hips square and tailbone lifted, bend forward from your hips. Feel a stretch in the back of your thigh or knee. Hold 20–30 seconds on each leg.
Calf Stretch: Stand facing a wall with both hands on it. Position one foot forward (knee bent) and the other leg back with the leg straight, toes pointing at the wall. With your stomach tight, lean in toward the wall until you feel a stretch in the lower part of the back leg. Hold 20–30 seconds on each leg.
Shoulder Rolls: Lift your shoulders up toward your ears, then down and backwards in a circular motion. Repeat 5–10 times. Perform with both shoulders simultaneously or alternate right and left.
Hip Flexor Stretch: Lunge forward with one leg, knee bent. The back leg can stay straight or bend slightly. Push your hips forward until you feel a stretch in front of your back thigh near the groin. Keep your torso upright and your front knee behind your toes. Hold 20–30 seconds on each leg.
Abductor (inner thigh) stretch: Keeping your torso upright, lunge to one side with a bent knee over the toe. Keep your other leg straight. Push your weight to the “bent knee” side until you feel a stretch in the inner thigh of your straight leg. Hold 20–30 seconds on each leg.
Chest stretch: Place your fingertips lightly on the back of your head. Push your elbows back while squeezing with your upper back until you feel a stretch in your chest near your underarms. Hold for 20-30 seconds. Another option is to stand in a corner with one hand or elbow on each wall. Your feet should be 1½–2 feet away from the corner in a split stance. Keeping your back straight and tummy pulled in, lean into the wall until you feel a stretch in your chest near your underarms. Hold for 20–30 seconds.

Cool Down

The purpose of a cool-down is to lower the heart rate and metabolism slowly, which helps to avoid blood pooling, cramping or stiffness after a workout. By cooling down, you ensure circulation is maintained to vital organs so you’re less likely to become lightheaded or dizzy. The heart is also protected by cooling down because it reduces high concentrations of hormones, like adrenaline. A great way to cool down after walking is to go at a slower pace and to stretch the muscles that you just worked.

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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.

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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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Hollister Adapt Barrier Rings

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

Total Home Care Supplies proudly offers Hollister ostomy supplies at discount prices! If you’re looking for a sting-free alternative to paste, we recommend Hollister Adapt Barrier Rings.

Hollister Adapt Barrier Rings on sale at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

Hollister Adapt Barrier Rings are ideal for individuals with sensitive skin or limited dexterity. The shape of ring can be stretched or molded to fit the shape of your stoma. They can also be cut, bent, or stacked together to improve the fit of the skin barrier. Adapt Barrier Rings create a smooth skin surface so that the ostomy appliance fits more securely, prolonging skin barrier wear time. Hollister Barrier Rings help protect sensitive skin by create a tighter seal and preventing irritating discharge from getting under the barrier.

Best-Selling Features:

Sting-free alternative to paste
Stretchable and moldable to create custom shapes
Can be cut, bent, and stacked to improve the fit of the skin barrier
Ideal for individuals with sensitive skin or limited dexterity
Prolongs skin barrier wear time

Total Home Care Supplies offers Hollister Adapt Barrier rings in two stretchable sizes:

HS 7805 2 inch (48mm) Outer Diameter 10/Box $49.32
HS 7806 4 inch (98mm) Outer Diameter 10/Box $49.32

For more Hollister products and ostomy supplies, visit TotalHomeCareSupplies.com. We offer reliable, fast, discreet shipping on all orders – and orders over $40 ship completely free, guaranteed! For ostomy resources and assistance, please visit our Ostomy Care blog on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.

What is a HCPCS Code?

Posted by Brooke Phillips on 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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Hollister New Image 2pc Flextend Skin Barrier Cut-to-Fit

Posted by Brooke Phillips on April 2, 2013 under Ostomy Care | Be the First to Comment

Top Rated Hollister Ostomy Skin Barriers

Looking for Hollister ostomy supplies? For tender, post-operative abdomens and utmost security, customers prefer the Hollister New Image 2pc Flextend Skin Barrier Cut-to-Fit!

Hollister New Image 2pc Flextend Skin Barrier CTF

Hollister New Image 2pc Flextend Skin Barrier Cut-to-Fit on sale at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

These Hollister ostomy skin barriers with built-in convexity provide added security and skin protection for recessed, retracted and flush stomas. The patented “Floating Flange” locking system allows fingers to slide under the flange for support while attaching the pouch to the barrier, eliminating pressure on tender, post-operative abdomens.

The Flextend skin barrier is an extended wear, synthetic skin barrier that provides skin protection from irritating discharge for an extended wear time, and its tapered edges eliminates the need for tape. Cut-to-fit openings make these barriers easily customizable for uniquely shaped stomas.

Features:

• Flextend (extended wear) Skin Barrier protects sensitive skin from discharge
• Cut-to-Fit for uniquely shaped stomas
• Avoid adhesive sensitivities with the No-Tape Border
• Floating Flange for tender, post-operative abdomens

These Cut-to-Fit Hollister New Image 2pc Flextend Skin Barriers are part of a 2-piece ostomy system. Total Home Care Supplies sells these barriers in four sizes:

HS 14602 1 3/4 (44MM)FLG 5/BX $30.06
HS 14603 2 1/4 FLANGE 5/BX $30.06
HS 14606 4″FLANGE 2PC 5/BX $53.30
HS 14604 2 3/4″ FLANGE 5/BX $30.06

For more Hollister ostomy products and all ostomy supplies, visit Total Home Care Supplies. We offer reliable, fast, discreet shipping on all orders – and orders over $40 ship completely free, guaranteed!

For additional ostomy resources and assistance, please visit our Ostomy Care blog on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.

Coloplast Brava Protective Sheets

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

Total Home Care Supplies is proud to stock Coloplast Brava ostomy supplies! For outstanding skin protection and comfort, try Coloplast Brava Protective Sheets.

Coloplast Brava Protective Sheets on sale at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

The Brava Protective Sheet is a hydrocolloid skin barrier that protects peristomal skin and provides a ready surface for your ostomy appliance. Made of a soft, moldable material, this flexible skin barrier conforms to body contours and movements without leaking. With 3-way stretch technology, Coloplast Brava skin barriers provide total skin protection around stomas, draining wounds, and other areas subject to skin irritation or breakdown.

Coloplast Brava Protective Sheets are easy to apply around the stoma, and are latex-free. These skin barriers may be used to protect both calm and irritated skin from stoma output.

Brava Skin Barrier Features:

Soft, moldable material
Extremely flexible to follow body contours
Balanced adhesive holds firmly but is easily removed
Ideal for use around stomas, draining wounds or any area subject to skin irritation

TotalHomeCareSupplies.com offers Coloplast Brava Protective Sheets in three sizes:

CT 32205 8 x 8 inches (20 x 20 CM) 5/Box $62.10
CT 32105 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 CM) 1/Each $3.53
CT 32155 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 CM) 5/Box $36.05

For more Brava products and ostomy supplies, visit TotalHomeCareSupplies.com. We offer reliable, fast, discreet shipping on all orders – and orders over $40 ship completely free, guaranteed! For ostomy resources and assistance, please visit our Ostomy Care blog on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.