Ask My RN INFORMATION

When my mother fell down the stairs and broke her hip, everyone in the family was worried about how she would manage in the hospital. She has always been an active lady, and the prospect of lying down in bed for an extended period of time just didn’t seem like a viable option for her. During her stay in the hospital, we all took measures to ensure that her stay was as bearable as possible.

Luckily she took her stint of incapacitation well, and we were all impressed by her optimistic attitude. One of the things that made her stay a little easier was the fact that her room was outfitted with an electric hospital bed. This allowed her to sit up and carry on conversations, as well as watch some of her favorite classic movies.

Ask My RN Staff are queried about medical alert items all the time.  We encourage the use of these products.  Here is a recent article that explains their use.  We hope this helps answer many of your questions. 

“People now have a much longer life expectancy than they did a few decades ago, and in most developed countries the average person commonly lives beyond 70 years of age. As they reach their later years, people are inevitably more likely to need the aid of others, yet they still want to keep their independence.

The majority of people do not feel comfortable being under the constant care of others. There is a solution to this problem though. A way for elderly people to live as they wish, but to still have others come to their assistance in the case of an emergency, is through the use of medical alert systems.

So, what exactly is a medical alert system? Well, it gives the user a direct line of communication to a care specialist at all times – they simply need to press a button and then they can speak with someone trained to deal with a wide range of situations and emergencies.

The difference between this service, and simply calling 911, is that a lot more flexibility is provided. By dialing 911, an ambulance will pretty much always need to be called out, but a medical alert system can be used for minor emergencies as well as serious ones. The user, as well as requesting an ambulance, can, for example, just call for advice, or ask that a doctor pay a visit the next day.

Many companies are offering medical alert systems, but what specifically they are offering is not the same, with some being much better for the purpose than others. Therefore, before making a decision on which one to opt for, answers to the following questions should be sought…

- Is it simple and easy to operate?

- Is the medical alert button, or pendant, easy to carry about?

- Does it have inbuilt two way communication?

- What is the range of coverage?

- Is the service available throughout the day and night, for 365 days a year?

- What level of medical certification do the Emergency Response Technicians have?

- Can relatives and neighbors be contacted through the service?

- In the event of a power failure or disaster, will the service still operate?

- What languages can the call center operatives converse in?

All of these considerations are important, so do not be tempted to simply opt for the cheapest medical alert system. Spending a few dollars a month extra can really be a life saving decision.

Another point on cost, be sure to get full details on the type of service being signed-up for before making a commitment to it. Look for a medical alert system that does not require a long term contract, and which does not have any set-up or activation fees attached to it. Monthly subscription contracts are advisable, whereby the user can return the equipment at anytime without incurring any penalty costs.”

My grandpa just celebrated his eightieth birthday and while he is far from a spring chicken, he still has more zeal and energy than most people in their sixties. Although he is always ready and willing to go on family outings and spend time playing with his grandchildren, he has undergone several leg surgeries and has limited mobility. He fights through the pain, but his discomfort is often palpable.

Walking up and down the stairs is particularly difficult for him, as well as standing up when he has been sitting for an extended period of time. While it may hurt his pride, my grandma keeps several walking canes strategically positioned around their house so that he can get around more easily. He never likes to let people see him struggling and always refuses help, but we all know that he needs the canes.

Who says you can’t have performance and style? The next step up from the 8508, the 8509 is an innovative running shoe built for the competitive athlete, utilizing the NB ZIPheel cushioning technology. This style combines responsiveness, shock absorption and advanced technology to bring you closer to RUNNING!  The Ask My RN staff encourages the use of good support for feet for all ages.  Give these a try!

For people with limited mobility, making a few small additions around the house can greatly improve their quality of life. Simple items such as handrails and user-friendly kitchen appliances can increase a person’s independence. For people who have trouble getting out of bed or moving quickly, it may be beneficial to have a commode close to the bedside.

The term “commode” is French and means “convenient” or “suitable.” While there are several of pieces of furniture that are classified as commodes, the bedside commode has garnered the most widespread usage in modern English. There are several designs available, many of which offer multiple positions and height settings.

Help the Ask My RN Staff help others who are in-home caring for the children and seniors in need.

Pollution can really affect your health.  It is really important that the air you breathe at home is clean and free from pollutants and irritants.  You can get an air purifier to clean the air in your home.  These air purifiers can really improve your indoor environment.

Some purifiers use technology to produce natural oxides and superoxide ions to clean the air.  They can easily eliminate smoke and odor from the air.  It can also increase the levels of activated oxygen in your space.  This is a great device for people with allergies and asthma.  You really need to have a clean environment to prevent allergy or asthma attacks. Elderly people with breathing problems should also consider oxygen concentrators for more supports.

With the onset of winter, the Ask My RN Staff discussed in our staff meeting this morning, what would be the best way to tell the public what to use. So, we designed this widget that gives many suggestions for all sorts of dermal repair. Keeping the skin healthy and intact is imperative for the senior and young person. The skin is the largest organ of the body and is the primary protection to avoid infection. Keep hands clean and away from orifices to avoid the H1N1 flu. Most recent reports are that the flu infestation is declining, but that could turn around if your gaurd drops. Hands are the most common transfer of virus and bacteria. Keep the skin soft and supple with creams and lotions every time they are washed. Keep nails trimmed and clean.
Ask My RN will help you with your skin care needs if you contact us by email at askmyrn@gmail.com or go to this link for skin care items!

Nothing says caring like a gift that is needed and used. Professional medical items that are reliable and easy to purchase can be found at the Ask My RN Store. Secure purchases and doorstep delivery are available daily from this well stocked online store. Need help deciding what is appropriate? Just ASK MY RN by emailing askmyrn@gmail.com. Describe what needs you have, what medical problem is involved, and the Ask My RN will do all the research, send you an email with links to products that fit your needs. It could not be easier to shop this way during the busy Holidays!

Give a gift that helps safety in the bathroom, the most dangerous room in your home. Ask My RN supports the use of such items for health and wellness for all members of your family! The ASK MY RN Store has all the medical supplies needed for a safe home. Visit our secure online store for great prices and doorstep delivery. Put a practical gift under the tree that will be a positive item all year long.

The sun allows life on earth to exist, and photosynthesis is thought to be the process in which all life began. Despite the sun’s nurturing power, it also has the power to harm us, and both humans and animals are vulnerable. The sun’s UV rays are known to cause various kinds of skin cancer, so it’s important to stay safe outdoors. Wear sunscreen at all times on bare skin; don’t forget areas like the back of the neck, tops of the ears, and behind the ears.  In addition to sunscreen, it is wise to wear UV protective clothing to prevent further damage to the skin.  Polarized sun glasses are also advised as the eyes can be susceptible to damage from the sun.

Taking the proper precautions to stay safe outdoors will ensure a healthy experience in the sun and a healthy life in the long run.

Bathrooms are the number 1 place in the caregiver’s home for falls and injuries.  This is a real threat for someone who is weak or wobbly.  Consider setting your bathroom safety devices as a high priority and evaluate often to revise as needed.

• Falls in tubs and showers may be minimized with handrails, shower chairs, and hand-held shower nozzles.  Be sure and have a wall mount to put the shower nozzle low for a sitting user.

• Curved curtain rods keep the shower curtain out of the way for the user and water inside to drain properly.

• Various tub non-skid adhesive designs keep feet firmly set.

• Shower chairs come with adjustable feet to lower or raise the seat to accommodate sitting and standing safely.  Hip replacement patients find a slightly higher seat easier to use post op.

• Bedside commodes are terrific at the bed, but remove the receiving vessel below the opening and the commode placed over the toilet works well.  Be sure the feet are non-skid whenever it is used.  Combo Seat assists with commode are available.

• Over-the-Toilet arm supports are another option to aid the user to sitting and standing positions.  Be certain this device is well anchored to the toilet.

• Avoid loose throw rugs that may trip a wobbly walker.  Rubber mats or rugs with rubber non-skid backing are a good choice.

• Weak individuals should be encouraged to sit to perform mouth and hair care.  It is a good decision to never leave the bathroom when a user is weak or dizzy.  If the phone rings, let it ring or let your answering machine pick up.  You can call back later!  Keep them safe in the bathroom is a high prioity!

• Comfortable clothing that goes off and on makes care a breeze. 

• Lift chairs help keep independence available.  They also make lift chairs for commodes.

 Ask My RN Staff Members know many parents live in fear of the day their 5 or 6 year old child asks this question—which inevitably happens, often as early as the preschool years. Here is a picture book designed especially for young children who are becoming aware of their bodies, but aren’t ready to learn about sexual intercourse. Written with warmth and honesty, Amazing You! presents clear and age-appropriate information about reproduction, birth, and the difference between girls’ and boys’ bodies. Lynne Cravath’s lighthearted illustrations enliven the text, making this a book that parents will gladly share with their young ones.