Tag Archives: TotalHomeCareSupplies

Links for the Caregiving Community

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 31, 2016 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with AARP “More than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one.” That’s a lot of people! The caregiving community needs all the support it can get, and with that we’d like to offer up some helpful links:

A Place for Mom – Senior Living Blog

A Place for Mom “Connects Families to Senior Care” but their blog is full of articles that anyone living wtih, caring for or even just interacting with a senior will find helpful.

Caregiver Action Network

From their About Us: “CAN (formerly the National Family Caregivers Association) is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.”

Family Caregiver Alliance

“Family Caregiver Alliance is first and foremost a public voice for caregivers. Founded in the late 1970s, we were the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care for loved ones at home. We illuminate the caregivers’ daily challenges to better the lives of caregivers nationally, provide them the assistance they need and deserve, and champion their cause through education, services, research and advocacy.”

National Alliance for Caregiving

“Established in 1996, the National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on advancing family caregiving through research, innovation, and advocacy. The Alliance conducts research, does policy analysis, develops national best-practice programs, and works to increase public awareness of family caregiving issues.”

Our Parents – Care Topics

Our Parents is “a free and unbiased service focused on helping families with aging parents find the best senior care solution that meets their loved one’s unique needs, be it an in-home caregiver, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home.” Their Care Topics page contains many great articles about senior care, along with links to the #ElderCareChat on Twitter.

Today’s Caregiver Magazine

This magazine operates as both a print magazine and an informative website. Today’s Caregiver is “a leading provider of information, support and guidance for family and professional caregivers.”

Links for the Incontinence Community

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 3, 2016 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over half of seniors in the United States are afflicted with incontinence. Of course, it’s not just seniors who experience incontinence. People of all ages can be affected, due to a large number of factors. Whatever the reason you or the person you care for may find for being incontinent, we’d like to help with these great resources for both urinary and fecal incontinence:

Simon Foundation for Continence

The mission of the Simon Foundation is to: “Bring the topic of incontinence out into the open, remove the stigma surrounding incontinence, and provide help and hope to people with incontinence, their families and the health professionals who provide their care.”

National Association for Incontinence

From their About Us: “National Association for Continence is a national, private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with incontinence, voiding dysfunction, and related pelvic floor disorders. NAFC’s purpose is to be the leading source for public education and advocacy about the causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatments, and management alternatives for incontinence.”

Urology Care Foundation

“The Urology Care Foundation advances urologic research and education. We work with health care providers, researchers, patients and caregivers to improve patients’ lives. The Urology Care Foundation is the official foundation of the American Urological Association.”

Medline Plus – Urinary Incontinence

This government site has a basic explanation of the condition, resources to learn more, videos, research, and patient handouts.

Health in Aging

This site was created by the American Geriatrics Society’s Health in Aging Foundation, to “provide consumers and caregivers with up-to-date information on health and aging.”

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases – Fecal Incontinence Article

“The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) conducts, supports, and coordinates research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health. The Institute supports clinical research on the diseases of internal medicine and related subspecialty fields, as well as many basic science disciplines.”

Fruits and Veggies – More Matters Month 2015

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 3, 2015 under Caregiver Corner, Resources | Be the First to Comment

September is bountiful month, full of fresh produce arriving to your local grocery store. It is beautiful to look at, but can be a lot to take in. Which fruits and vegetables are in season? How many produce items should I buy or not buy so they don’t go bad? What should I do with these things? And possibly even – what is this?

This Fruits and Veggies – More Matters Month is the perfect time to learn more about those tasty foods we should be eating more. Did you know over 90% of all adults and children in the US do not eat the recommended amount of fruits and veggies? That means if you do, you’re in an elite (and healthy!) minority.

All of us are busy, and caregivers even more so. So what are some easy tips and tricks to get more of that produce on your plate?

For one thing, keep in mind that ALL forms of fruit and veggies count towards your daily recommended amount, so anything canned, frozen, dried or juice that says 100% on the label contains the same goodness as fresh.

With that in mind, smoothies become so much easier! You can have everything ready to go and not have to worry about anything going bad after just a week. Frozen blueberries, yogurt, milk, OJ, leftover kale, canned peaches: toss any or all of it into a smoothie. Smoothies are incredibly forgiving. If you have some spinach that’s about to go bad, you can toss it in with some soy milk, honey, juice, an almost moldy nectarine and even some old cupcakes (believe me, I’ve tried). As long as you have enough liquid and enough sweetness (honey, agave syrup or cocoa powder work great) you can get away with practically any smoothie ingredient.

If you’re wanting to fill your cart with fruit and vegetables but can’t remember while at the grocery store what is in season, print out a pocket-sized guide (your best bet is to find what works for your region, so search for your state and then add “fruits and veggies in season chart”), or download an app onto your smart phone.

Good luck! And if you need more advice, recipes and ideas, be sure to head to The Fruits and Veggies More Matters site, where we found much of the above information!

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?

A Comprehensive Look at Prevail Products

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on November 12, 2014 under BladderMatters, Resources | Be the First to Comment

Prevail is a line of diaper and related products by First Quality. We here at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com are proud to offer a large amount of Prevail products. The variety of these products is impressive and includes adult briefs and diapers, bariatric products, youth briefs, baby diapers, protective underwear, adult pull-ups, underpads, liners, pads and wipes. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular and products that offer the best coverage and exclusive features.

Our most popular Prevail product is the Extra Adult Pull-Up. It is the perfect product for those that want the look and feel of underwear with great absorbency and protection. These pull-ups also feature Skin Smart™ Fabric, Odor Guard™ and a Stay-Dry strip. This product, and other Prevail items, can be ordered as a sample to find the perfect fit.

Another great and unique Prevail product are the Boxers for Men. These boxers are similar to regular pairs, but are absorbent and disposable. Perfect for those who miss the air-flow provided by boxers, these items feature a built-in pad designed for maximum absorbency.

Prevail’s Breezers are different because of their breathable, cloth-like outer fabric. More air-flow to the area is idea for keeping skin healthy and happy. And the Easy Lock Fastening Strips create a custom fit that conforms to your body.

One of the newer Prevail items are the Per-Fits for Men and Women. Each of these is specifically designed for each gender. The men’s have a printed waistband and male-specific dimensions that make for a more comfortable and discreet fit. The women’s has, of course, female-specific dimensions and a light lavender color.

Do you have a particular favorite Prevail product? Or is there a certain feature you’re looking for? Feel free to comment below.

How to Dispose of Incontinence Products

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on October 17, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Knowing how dispose of incontinence products is useful in your own home and when you’re out and about. Odor is a concern for both situations. And being discreet can be a thought when leaving the house for a few hours. So how can you solve these two issues and have good diaper etiquette?

Let’s start with inside the privacy of your own home. Many incontinence products, including those from Prevail, have odor control, but after a few days, the odor reducing components may start to break down. And taking out the trash everyday can be a pain. The best path is to get a diaper pail, like the ones made for children’s diapers, but larger. Having each incontinence product wrapped in its own plastic bubble helps immensely with odor. There are several companies that offer such products, including Akord.

On the go, it’s recommended that, along with extra incontinence items, you take a couple of disposable plastic bags. The type you receive your groceries in at the supermarket are not recommended. They can be easily ripped on the trip home from the store and even a small hole can release odor. Try the smallest garbage bags at the store and tie them shut with twisty-ties. These are often opaque and can be thrown away while out and about. Or if you’d rather not throw them in a foreign garbage can, you can always use regular plastic baggies that zip closed. These are generally see-through, but if you’re keeping your items in your purse, that won’t matter. If you’d prefer a scented bag, Heaven Scent makes perfumed bags specifically for incontinence product disposal.

With these tips, you should be able to eliminate odor issues and discreetly dispose of your diapers and pads. If you know of more tips to help solve these problems, please let us know in the comments!

Shout Out to Ostomy Nurses

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on October 16, 2014 under Ostomy Care | Read the First Comment

Ostomy nurses are generally associated with a larger group called WOC Nurses (Wound, Ostomy and Continence). Originally, ostomy nurses started out as something called Enterostomal Therapists in the 1960s. The first association of these types of nurses went through some turbulent times before eventually becoming the WOCN Society.

Because ostomy nurses spent so much time learning about how to care for ostomies, they learned a lot about wound care. And incontinence and ostomy nurses have a great amount of knowledge about how the bladder and intestines work. But each of these nurses has their own specialty.

Ostomy nurses often meet their patients before the surgery takes place. They are the ones with the answers and make the time to discuss the life changes with the patient and their family. Oftentimes, they’re the ones that make recommendations on where the stoma should be placed, after discussing the placement with the patient and watching how that person sits. They also walk the patient through their feelings about the stoma, and may recommend discussing the upcoming surgery with someone who has already experienced it.

After the surgery, ostomy nurses are there to show patients how to use their ostomy pouches and answer more questions. They still may be helping the patient to emotionally deal with the impact of their new stoma.

Many nurses, of all types, may connect deeply with their patients. And many patients also connect with and remember their nurses. But ostomy nurses are there during such a huge and often positive life-changing event, they deserve a special shout out. So thank you, WOC Nurses! You are appreciated.

Group Vacations

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 27, 2014 under BladderMatters, Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Summer vacations are coming to a close, but the fall is a great time to travel as well. Lower temperatures and fewer travelers can mean better deals and better experiences.

As a caregiver, you may find yourself longing for a vacation, but wondering how it’s possible to leave your charge. Or, perhaps your charge (your parents, child, sibling or other) has been asking to take a trip. How can you pull off taking a vacation with so many care issues to think about?

One option is to create a group to go on vacation with you. If there are more people than just you to help take care of your charge, there’s less for you to worry about. Are there siblings that can help out with your elderly parents? Can your parents help out with your special needs child? Coordinating times and destinations can be tough, but with the right planning, all parties can find enjoyable activities and alone time.

Another option is to participate in a pre-planned trip. Cruises have always been popular, but these days they are catering more and more to the aging population. Some cruises now provide help to their elderly passengers. Such a trip can provide the perfect setting: you as the caregiver get to make sure your parents’ care needs are being met, and there are opportunities to relax. And leaving the country isn’t necessary: river cruises mean less travel time to the boat and more scenery while on the ship.

Whether you decide on a private or group vacation, make sure to pack all supplies your charge needs in advance. TotalHomeCareSupplies.com has all the incontinence products you need for a great trip! Bon voyage!

Back to School

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 13, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Back to school is a significant time, even for those without kids (more traffic on the roads!). But for parents and especially Sandwich Caregivers out there, it can be both a time of relief and of added on stress.

The return to school can mean a more predictable schedule. Your child/children are at a place until a certain time every day, meaning you can plan for when to be at work or caregiving for parents. Many parents celebrate this time of year, and we can bet you’re probably one of them.

But with a new school year can come with new friends and new challenges. If you’re living at home with both your children and your parent or parents, children may be reluctant to bring friends over. Try and understand where this embarrassment is coming from. Talk with them, and, if possible, be around when and if those friends do come to visit.

Additionally, new friends might mean a sleepover. And if your child has any bladder issues, dealing with any kind of protective underwear can be a potential nightmare. Luckily, nighttime pullups have come a long way. Sleep Overs provide discreet protection for children weighing between 45 and 145 pounds. Their cloth-like outer fabric means no suspicious rustling. If you’d like to try before you buy, you can find samples here.

Congrats from TotalHomeCareSupplies.com on getting through the hot summer. And good luck with a productive, fun and safe new school year!

Unusual Ways to Relieve Stress

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

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

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

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

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

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

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