Canes: which one should I choose?

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You deserve a beautiful cane that supports your needs. Here's how you'll find the right one for you at Alpine Home Medical:

1. Assess how much help you need. Canes are the lightest walking aid, and transfer weight to your wrist or forearm. They are generally used to aid light injuries or to improve balance. A cane cannot and should not sustain a large portion of your body weight.

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2. Choose your style. Canes come in a variety of forms in order to meet the needs of different users. Variables to assess include

Grip. Some canes are meant to be held with your palm and fingers, while others can also provide support for your forearm. Whatever you select, make sure the grip feels solid and manageable, not slippery or too big.

Shaft. The shaft is the long part of the cane, and can be composed of wood, metal, carbon fiber polymer and other materials. Some shafts are collapsible for easy portability.

• Ferrule. The tip or bottom of the cane is usually covered in rubber to provide better stability. Some canes have three or four ferrules at the bottom instead of just one; this enables them to carry more weight.
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3. Check the length. To select the proper length for a cane, stand up straight with your shoes on and arms at your sides. The top of the cane should reach the crease on the under side of your wrist.If the cane is a proper fit, your elbow will be flexed 15-20 degrees when you hold the cane while standing. Cane length is usually about one half the cane user's height, in inches, wearing shoes.

4. Choose a side. If you're using a cane because you're injured, you'll want the cane to be in the hand that is opposite the side of the injury - for example, if your left leg is hurt, put the cane in your right hand. If you're using a cane for better balance, consider putting it in your non-dominant hand so that you can continue to use your dominant hand for everyday tasks.

5. Start walking. When you step forward on your bad leg, move the cane forward at the same time and put your weight on them together, allowing the cane to absorb more strain than the leg. Don't use the cane to step with your good leg. As you become accustomed to the cane, it will ideally feel like a natural extension of yourself.

• To walk up stairs with a cane, put your hand on the bannister (if available) and place your cane in the other hand. Take the first step with your strong leg, then bring the injured leg up to the same step. Repeat.
• To walk downstairs with a cane, put your hand on the bannister (if available) and place your cane in the other hand. Take the first step with the injured leg and the cane at the same time, then bring down your strong leg. Repeat.

FIMBA Adds Sponsors

FIMBA Adds Sponsors

H.R. 1041’s Rep. Thompson rallies Washington Conference attendees to continue repeal bill’s momentum.

By David Kopf

Feb 21, 2012

While the industry hit Congress with the Market Pricing Program at the top of its agenda, Representative Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) called on providers attending the American Association for Homecare’s Washington Conference to also continue their support of H.R. 1041, the Fairness in Medicare Bidding Act, which calls for the repeal of the national competitive bidding program.

Currently the bill has 166 co-sponsors, with two of the recent additions to its supporters being Reps. Charles Bass (R-N.H.) and Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.) according to Thompson, who introduced the bill into the House of Representatives with Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.). The unofficial goal for the bill is to garner 218 co-sponsors.

Thompson, a jokingly self-described “recovering nursing home administrator,” and the Pennsylvania Association of Medical Suppliers Legislator of the Year explained that the providers that engaged in the Washington Conference’s lobbying efforts were critical to stopping competitive bidding, because most lawmakers are not well-versed in the program’s negative impact.

“Despite what some people believe, there are not a lot of experts regarding healthcare in Washington,” Thomspon joked. “When I look at some of the policies that are put forward on Capitol Hill. … So, you are doing a great favor and a great service to the elected representatives that you will visit.”

Thompson said that, from a policy perspective, he had four principles that guided his decision-making when it came to healthcare:

It should decrease cost.
It should increase access.
It should further America’s reputation for healthcare quality and innovation.
The consumer should be in control and have choice.

“I have to tell you, competitive bidding violates all four of my principles,” Thompson said to much applause from Washington Conference Attendees. “You all know that. You see it.

“As monopolies are created, and jobs are eliminated, we will see an increase in costs, we will see a decrease in access,” he continued. “Providing medical devices and adjunct devices is more than providing a piece of equipment; it’s the services, it’s the expertise.”

While calling for the repeal of competitive bidding is a cause with which the industry agrees and has backed, much of the industry’s more recent lobbying efforts have been focused on supporting the Market Pricing Program, which is aims to replace competitive bidding with a program that the industry can survive and that would gain support of lawmakers in both the House and the Senate, a body with which the industry has struggled to find lobbying traction. Thompson explained that providers can back a lobbying agenda that supports both the MPP and FIMBA:

“The MPP is a great compromise, but that’s what it is a compromise,” he said. “It acknowledges the fiscal environment that we’re in today, and the low-bidding that impacts price and that [creates] contracts that can’t be fulfilled.

“Right now we have great momentum with H.R. 1041, which clearly defines the problem,” he continued. “We have bi-partisan support, with co-sponsorship from some of the leaders of both sides [of the House]. We really need to keep building on H.R. 1041. … Then we’ll need to vote for a hearing, and I think we’ll get that venue; more co-sponsors will help the mandate for that.

“From there, at some point strategically, it would make sense that perhaps we have our replacement bill,” Thompson said, explaining that H.R. 1041’s momentum and co-sponsorhip could be leveraged to support the MPP. “But it’s something you only want to do once. Timeliness is incredibly important, and we need to work together to decide when that right time is. It would be a separate bill that would be largely H.R. 1041, but with the MPP inserted into it. … But that has to be done at the right time.”

Treating obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP works best when it’s a team effort.

Sleep disorders include a range of problems -- from insomnia to narcolepsy -- and affect millions of Americans. Dr. Michael Breus shares information and advice on sleep disorder and insomnia treatments and causes.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Team Up for CPAP Success

By Michael J. Breus, PhD

Listen up, partners and spouses of people with sleep apnea: Treating obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP works best when it’s a team effort. That’s the takeaway from a recent research review, which examined dozens of studies in an effort to identify the most effective ways to help patients comply with their CPAP regimen. What they found was that having a partner involved and engaged with CPAP treatment increases the likelihood that the patient will stick with their treatment plan.

More than 18 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is among the most common sleep disorders. And CPAP—continuous positive airway pressure—is the most commonly prescribed treatment for OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat collapse, blocking the airway. People with OSA stop breathing briefly, anywhere from a handful of times to hundreds of times in a night in severe cases. The health risks associated with sleep apnea are serious: in addition to disrupting sleep and lowering blood oxygen levels, OSA is associated with higher risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, in addition to mood and memory problems. CPAP works by pushing air constantly through the airway, keeping it open and allowing uninterrupted breathing through a night’s sleep. It’s a safe, effective, well-tested treatment for OSA that has proven results. The biggestchallenge to CPAP success? Getting patients to use the device consistently.

The CPAP machine delivers the air pressure that keeps the airway open by a face mask that covers the nose, which must be worn by the patient during sleep. Sleeping with the CPAP mask can be a daunting prospect for newly diagnosed OSA sufferers. Some people may find it embarrassing to wear in front of a partner. Others may find wearing it feels uncomfortable or odd at first. As effective as CPAP can be if it’s used consistently and correctly, there are real risks of patients abandoning the treatment, especially in the very early stages, because they feel it’s too intrusive, disruptive or uncomfortable. Finding the best ways to encourage continued use of the device is a critical area of research.

A group of researchers at Penn State reviewed 80 CPAP-related studies, searching for evidence of the most important factors in successful CPAP therapy. They found that social support increases the likelihood that a CPAP user will continue to use the device. Spouses and partners who provide active support for the CPAP can help a patient feel more relaxed and comfortable with, and also more accountable to, following through with the treatment night after night. And it’s this follow through that makes all the difference in whether or not the CPAP treatment is allowed to work as successfully as it can.

This finding echoes other research that shows CPAP works best when couples work together in support of the treatment, and that—rather than drive partners away from sex and intimacy, CPAP can actually lead to improved intimacy between partners:

• One study indicated that men whose wives continue to sleep in the same bed with them when using the CPAP are 60% more likely to continue with the treatment than if they are sleeping alone.
• Another study examined sexual and intimate relationships in men with obstructive sleep apnea, and found then whereas OSA had a negative impact on men’s sex lives, regular use of CPAP for three months resulted in improvement in their sexual and intimate relationships. And the more serious the OSA was to begin with, the greater the improvement after using the CPAP.

It’s very common for the snoring that can accompany obstructive sleep apnea to drive partners to sleep in separate beds. So often, when the CPAP treatment begins, couples are already sleeping apart. The initial reluctance to return to the same bed is understandable—both partners may feel self-conscious. There’s no question that it takes work: trust, open communication, perhaps a decision to plan for sex and intimacy in different ways. But this is work that is worth doing—not only for the health of the person with OSA, but also for the health of your relationship.

There is no single right way to approach integrating the CPAP into your life. Researchers in the current review found that CPAP success is best promoted on a case-by-case basis, with individualized treatment regimens that take into account a patient’s life circumstances, the particulars of their disease, as well as their psychological and social circumstances. For example, for patients without partners, telecommunications strategies such as regular phone calls and wireless telemonitoring may be able to provide the social support and connection that appears to be so effective.

The bottom line? CPAP treatment not only can help alleviate OSA, and improve a patient’s health, it can also bring couples back into the same bed—if both patient and partner are willing to accept the device, and not let short-term, initial discomfort or awkwardness become entrenched. The discomfort is fleeting, but the benefits—including renewed intimacy in the bedroom—are long-term.

Sweet Dreams,

Michael J. Breus, PhD

The Sleep Doctor™

www.thesleepdoctor.com

The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan: Lose Weight Through Better Sleep

Everything you do, you do better with a good night’s sleep™
twitter: @thesleepdoctor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesleepdoctor

Source: WebMD

Toilet Seat Risers: what are they used for? How do you install them? Commonly asked questions and answers...

Tips on Wheelchair Accessibility

While wheelchairs may provide many people with a means to move about, their locomotion is often confined by the limitations of the surrounding space. There are many changes that can be made to help increase mobility for those in a wheelchair and help make a place more wheelchair accessible.

Ramps

• Since wheelchairs are unable to go upstairs, ramps help make short staircases, such as the front steps of houses or other buildings, accessible to people in wheelchairs. The maximum slope for a ramp is 1:12, or 1 vertical feet for every 12 horizontal feet. However, the less steep the slope, the more accessible it is by wheelchair. Also, it is important to consider the material used to make a ramp. Materials such as concrete or aluminum can be less slippery and can more easily endure the harmful effects of weather.

Doorways

• In order to be accessible to those in a wheelchair, doorways must be at least 32 inches wide. Wider doorways are easier for people in wheelchairs, especially those who use their arms to propel themselves to wheel through. Revolving doors and turnstiles are not wheelchair accessible, so alternative entrances are necessary. Swinging doors can also be difficult to manage; pocket doors, if possible, can be an easy-to-use option. Door hardware, such as knobs and latches, also should be easy to grasp and use by those sitting in a wheelchair. With proper hardware and dimensions, those in wheelchairs can easily enter and fit through doorways.

Light-Switches and Other Controls

• People in wheelchairs are unable to reach the heights that are easily accessed by those who are not in wheelchairs. Light-switches, thermostats and other controls should be placed within the easy reach of people sitting in wheelchairs. Legally, such controls must be higher than 15 inches and lower than 48 inches.

Other Tips

• When making a space wheelchair accessible, it is important to consider many factors, including the layout and dimensions of buildings. Rooms such as bathrooms need special attention: toilets, sinks, mirrors, showers, tubs and special railings must all be modified to make them accessible to wheelchairs. Floor coverings are also important to think about. Bunched up carpets, rugs or bumpy surfaces are difficult to traverse by wheelchair. Instead, hard surfaces like tile, linoleum or well-maintained carpet are better for wheelchair accessibility.

Article written by: Lauren Griffin, eHow Contributor

Read more: Tips on Wheelchair Accessibility | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7614487_tips-wheelchair-accessibility.html#ixzz1j5YsG7kY

Compression Stockings - Commonly Asked Questions and Answers

1. How fast will my stockings wear out?

-The compression in your stocking will last about 6 months. The stocking itself lasts depending on how you wear your stockings.

2. Do you need to hand wash the stockings?

-No. You can clean them in the wash on the gentle cycle. Make sure to dry on low heat.

3. Are some stockings more durable than others?

-Our most durable stockings are called “Comfort for Men”, and “Medi Motion”.

4. Are there any sock aids to help me put on my compression stockings?

-There is a device called a “sock butler” that you can purchase at Alpine. It is an easy and effective way to apply your compression stockings.

5. What are the benefits to open toe stockings? Does open to affect the level of compression?

-There are no benefits or drawbacks to open toe stockings - the compression level stays the same. Open toe vs. closed toe is purely based on personal preference.

6. Do I wear them at night?

-No. Put them on first thing in the morning and take them off before you go to bed.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea? How Can PAP Therapy Positively Affect Your Daily Life?

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA, affects up to 10% of the adult population. An estimated 20 million people in the U.S. alone have OSA and many of them are unaware of their condition.

During sleep, our muscles relax. The muscles in our throat, however, maintain some tone to hold our airway open for us to breathe. For some people these muscles relax too much causing the airway to narrow slightly. Partial narrowing will often result in snoring – a vibration generated by the soft, floppy parts of the throat as air passes during breathing. However, sometimes the narrowing is more significant and causes a partial or complete reduction in airflow to the lungs.

When the airway is blocked OSA sufferers will wake either partially or completely to breathe again, although they are often unaware of this happening. This can occur up to several hundred times a night, causing severe disruption of their sleep and daytime sleepiness. Untreated OSA may also lead to road accidents and other serious health problems including high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Symptoms of OSA

Do you snore? Does your bed-partner report breathing pauses during sleep? Are you a restless sleeper? Do you have morning headaches? If you answered “often” or “sometimes” to any of the before mention questions then you may suffer from OSA. Other common symptoms include waking with a choking sensation at night; wake feeling unrefreshed; excessive sleepiness during the day; poor memory or concentration.

Treating OSA with PAP Therapy

Positive airway pressure, or PAP, is the most common and effective treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

PAP treatment is administered through a mask that seals either the nose, mouth or both nose and mouth. The PAP unit supplies a gentle air pressure that splints the upper airway and allows the person to breather uninterrupted during sleep. The pressure is continuous and can be adjusted for the individual.

The user will experience almost immediate relief of symptoms with PAP treatment. To continue receiving these benefits PAP must be used during every sleep.

Source: Fisher and Paykel Brochure, “What would you do for a good night’s sleep?”