Author Archives: Brett F
-
The Most Economic Home Medical Supplies
Upon first thought, medical supplies may appear to be a product category only healthcare facilities are interested in. But with more seniors choosing to live independently, this is no longer the case! Regardless of whether individuals truly live alone or with the help of a long term care professional, having access to these devices is life changing. In addition to increasing their mobility, medical devices can keep patients and their caregivers protected from injury. Unfortunately, many individuals don’t invest in such products because of the preconceived notion that these devices are too expensive. With more suppliers entering the market, there are many low cost options to choose from. In fact, investing in these economical home medical supplies may just be the best investment you make in 2019! Increased Mobility The term “home medical supplies” covers a range of product categories including: wheelchairs, lifts, scooters, walkers, and more. Although these devices have different functions, they all have the same goal. That is to increase one’s mobility! This goal is so important because 15.7 million individuals, aged 65+, struggle to walk and climb. With the presence of certain medical supplies in their life, they can regain their independence! The main obstacle is getting access these medical supplies. Of course, Medicare and Medicaid are a great help for many! But for those who don’t qualify or have insurance, affording such devices can seem nearly impossible. Due to the recent growth in the medical supply sector, accessibility is becoming less of an obstacle. In the digital age, many companies are doing their business on the internet. Because of this, they are able to pass savings on overhead and other costs onto their customers! On top of that, many manufacturers like Bestcare and Invacare specialize in producing affordable medical devices. With both of these circumstances in conjunction, customers win! Increased Safety Every year, one in four 65+ Americans fall. These falls can result in either: serious injuries which need to be treated in the emergency room or, in some cases, death. Medical devices like scooters, lifts, lift chairs, and walkers can greatly aid in preventing these perilous falls. Moreover if a fall was to occur, emergency systems that detect such activity can call emergency services and quite frankly save your life. In addition to the patients themselves, these devices also benefit long term care providers. Often times, caregivers experience injury while performing difficult patient transfers. This ultimately hurts the patient as well for they are left without supervision or care. Furthermore, 18% of caregivers face injuries due to overexertion- which is twice the national rate across all professions. You can protect them from sprains and strains by investing in lifts that do the heavy lifting associated with transfers. With the benefits affecting both patient and provider and preventing injury and in extreme cases death, medical devices are the best money one could possibly spend. All in all, our company’s mission has always been first and foremost to provide affordable medical supplies to all our customers. We think that there is nothing more important than the health and safety of our patients! That is why we work closely with our manufacturers to ensure that we can pass our savings on to you. So next time you are looking for a piece of medical equipment big or small, come check out how much money we can save you! The Most Economic Home Medical Supplies 1) Invacare Reliant Plus 450 Electric Patient Lift The high lift range allows easy access to tubs, chairs, commodes, floors and beds. Along with functional and innovative lifts, Invacare also offers facility assessment plans to further aid in your safety management program. Their all-encompassing lift system also includes in-service training, videos and an ergonomic safety plan. Their goal is to partner with you in lowering costs and protecting your staff from injury. >> Shop The Product 2) Best Lift PL400E Electric Lift This full body patient lift is a cost effective solution for safe patient transfers in a facility environment. The base easily opens to increase stability during operation.The lift's legs can then be closed to transport the patient through doorways and other spaces. This lift has a 6-point spreader bar to accomodate a wide variety of full body slings. The PL400 is compatible with most 4-point and 6-point slings on the market. >> Shop The Product 3) Drive Cruiser III Wheelchair The Cruiser III wheelchair, is your economical choice for a lightweight wheelchair. Precision sealed bearings in front and rear wheels ensure long lasting performance and reliability. The dual axle provides 2 seat heights (19.5" and 17.5") should you need a lower seat. The front casters are also adjustable in 3 positions and the Composite, Mag-style wheels are lightweight and maintenance free. >> Shop The Product 4) Zip'r Roo 4-Wheel The Zip'r Roo 4-wheel is a basic solution for those on a budget. It has easy assembly, simple operation and light weight components. The Zip'r Roo is designed to accommodate 250 lbs. and incorporates an intelligent braking system and aluminum wheels. It includes a convenient front basket and a foam seat with removable arm rests. >> Shop The Product 5) Drive Duet Transport Chair The Duet has locking flip up armrests and a flip down footrest to aid the user while it is used in the transport chair mode. A safety lock release is used to store the arms and a velcro strap is used to store the footrest while using the Duet for ambulation. It combines the features of a rollator and transport chair in one unit. An individual can ambulate independently or be pushed safely by a care giver. >> Shop The Product
-
Transfer Equipment That Will Better Your Nursing Program
Nurses play a crucial role in the world of healthcare. Not only do they provide excellent care to patients, but they also take on leadership roles in various healthcare institutions! With that being said, nursing is an extremely demanding profession. Requiring years of schooling, intelligence, and the ability to work tedious hours, nursing is an extremely challenging career. In order to protect individuals from workplace injury and burnout, it is important to provide them with the correct transfer equipment. More so, it is crucial that nurses understand how to operate such transfer equipment before starting their careers! This is why nursing programs across the country should own and train their students in the latest equipment on the market. Workplace Injury The best way to keep nurses healthy is to protect them from the daily workplace hazards they face on a daily basis. According to OSHA, U.S. hospitals recorded 6.8 work-related injuries and illnesses for every 100 full-time employees. That is almost twice the rate for private industry as a whole! Of those injuries reported, almost 48% of them were caused by over- exertion or bodily reaction. This includes motions such as lifting, bending, or reaching- all related to patient handling. The key to limiting the repetition of these movements is to introduce transfer equipment into healthcare institutions. By doing so, one can ensure they are doing their best to protect nurses. With that being said, introducing this transfer equipment into hospitals and clinics is not enough! It is important that the institutions which educate nurses do the same. Why? It will give future nurses the experience they need to operate such devices with real patients confidently when the time comes. Employee Burnout Employees across all professions may experience burnout at some point in their careers. This is especially true of those in nursing! Often times, a nurse’s typical shift can exceed 10 hours and can carry on through the night. These long hours in tandem with the stress of treating patients are major contributors to burnout among nurses. Along with that burnout, comes extreme fatigue. When nurses experience fatigue, they are more likely to make mistakes which can result in patient injury. Although transfer equipment won’t reduce the length of their shifts, it will certainly reduce the strain nurses feel. Instead of having to perform transfers themselves, them can do so with the assistance of transfer equipment. This way they will not have to bare the weight of the patients or put themselves in unsafe positions. The key to making this replacement is to properly teach student nurses how to operate such devices. If they feel the lack the knowledge or expertise to do so, they may be intimidated and not want to risk hurting the patient. Overall, it is important to tackle the major problems that affect nurses on a daily basis. Two of the most prolific trends we see in healthcare today is the risk of workplace injury and employee burnout. Luckily, both problems can be alleviated by the introduction of transfer equipment. Which Tools Are The Best? We Rounded Them Up! 1) Hoyer Professional Advance-E The Hoyer Advance-E is compact, yet able to perform an outstanding range of transfers. Whether from the floor or onto a healthcare bed, the Advance-E Electric Lift copes with ease. Because of its innovative tapered design, the lift is able to tackle a range of obstacles. The tapered design also ensures that the resident feels safe and secure during the transfer. An added bonus? It is also one of the only lifts on the market that has the capability of folding up without tools required! >> Shop The Product 2) Invacare Reliant Plus 350 Stand Up Lift Reliant's ergonomic styling and easy maneuverability make it an ideal product for everyday resident handling. With its numerous safety features, the Reliant Stand-Up lift ensures caregiver security and resident peace of mind. Ideal for use with weight-bearing or residents as well as those needing rehabilitation support, the Reliant Stand-Up lift will be a valuable addition to your safety management system. >> Shop The Product 3) Bariatric Transfer Boards The Drive Medical Bariatric Transfer Board provides a simple solution to transferring people between chairs, beds, wheelchairs and any other device necessary for day-to-day living. With a weight capacity of 600 pounds, these boards are a "must have" for caregivers. >> Shop The Product 4) Lightweight S-Ergo Transport Wheelchair The Ergonomic series provides the perfect shape to fit the human body to relieve pressure, increase stabilization, weight distribution and lower the risk of pressure sores and scoliosis. In addition, the 14" rear wheels are flat-free high profile polyurethane wheels, making it easier to push and more stable than most transport chairs' wheels. Its high strength frame weighs only 22 lbs, and the chair features AEGIS anti-bacterial upholstery to prevent the spread of germs. >> Shop The Product 5) Drive Bariatric Patient Lift The Drive Medical Bariatric Electric Patient Lift has a load capacity of 650 lbs. and comes with a free padded U-sling. The on-board charger can be charged from any AC outlet as well. This electric lift stands out from its competitors because it is heavy duty while being economical! It also comes completed with an extra wide coated cradle with 360° rotation with 4-point hook up. >> Shop The Product -
Merry Christmas From Your Friends at Amica
Merry Christmas from your friends at Amica! We hope that you have a wonderful holiday full of cheer, cocoa, and lots of quality family time. Moreover, we would like to take a minute to tell you how much we appreciate your support. Here at Amica, our goal has always been to provide medical supplies and equipment to people at an affordable price. By doing so, we hope to better the lives of all our customers and provide them with everything they need to live a safe life! We look forward to continuing to work together in 2019. As always, we look forward to hearing about your experiences with us, and we are always looking for ways to better our business. 2019 holds a lot of surprises for Amica, and we can't wait to see what you think! Until then, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night -
The Best Gifts For The Elderly
Christmas is less than a week away! If you are scrambling for a last minute gift, you have come to the right place. Finding the best gifts for the elderly can be an arduous process. Not only do you want to get them something that they will use, but you don’t want to break the bank either! This is why we have compiled a list of 10 attractively priced gifts that can be under your tree in no time. The Best Gifts For The Elderly 1) Drive Medical Wheelchair-Scooter Aluminium Folding Ramp Don’t let your loved one’s mobility stand in the way of their life! By investing in a ramp like this, they will be able to travel wherever they please. Because of its ability to support up to 600 lbs, this ramp is especially attractive for bariatric patients as well! Another feature that make this item a great buy is its durable, lightweight construction that can accommodate both wheelchairs and scooters. Complete with its own carrying bag, this ramp can go wherever you go! Price: $95.00 2) Drive Medical Med Air Alternating Pressure Pump and Pad This product is a great option for those who are bedridden. They are design for the use of preventing, treating, and managing pressure ulcers! Moreover, this model has 130 individual cells for maximum comfort and effectiveness. Its pump produces produces 4 LPM of consistent air flow and pressure over a 5 minute cycle time. All these features for this price is hard to beat- which makes it a great Christmas buy! Price: $86.95 3) Drive Medical Adjustable Home Bed Assist Handle A home bed assist handle can make a huge for many people! This intuitive product helps individuals get in an out of bed with little to no assistance. The drive medical product can operate on both side of the bed and simply slides under the mattress with no slip foam on base bar to prevent movement. Its easy to fold frame makes it great for travel as well! Price: $57.00 4) Uplift Premium Power Lifting Seat This seat can provide 100% electric lift for those up to 300 lbs. It also is compatible with most armchairs and sofas with no forward dumping! The easy-to-use flexible hand control can be positioned where its best for the user, and the three layer cushion with memory foam core maximizes comfort while helping prevent pressure sores. It is a great option for anyone who struggles to get up from a seated position. Price: $205.00 5) Invacare Easy Transport Wheelchair The Easy Transport is a great chair for basic transfers!. In addition to its lightweight design, it is compatible with interchangeable parts in this series. This way, you can slowly build your own custom chair! This chair is also loaded with comfort features such as: lightweight nylon upholstery, padded full length armrests and user accessible wheel locks. Price: $129.99 6) Invacare Rear Basket The rear basket is a great gift for those who use a scooter on a daily basis! It provides users with a little extra storage for their personal items. It fits most scooters and requires little assembly! Price: $56.00 7) Drive Medical Trigger Release Folding Walker This walker is also great for individuals who need assistance moving around their home. The specially designed trigger release feature allows the user to close the walker without removing their hands from the handle. It is ideal for individuals with limited finger dexterity! Its easy to fold frame also makes is great for travel. Price: $58.95 8) Drive Aluminum Ortho K Grip Cane The Ortho K Grip Cane is not your typical cane. Complete with an angle adjustable ergonomically designed contoured grip, it adjusts to fit the users wrist and hand. This can reduce stress on the users hands and joints. Moreover, its easy-to-use, one-button height adjustment makes it compatible with all individuals! Price: $36.00 9) GO2 Personal Fingertip Pulse Oximeter The GO2™ Personal Fingertip Pulse Oximeter provides fast, reliable information for patient's self-monitoring and successful management of their oxygen therapy! It is a great gift for those who are always on the go. Because it is engineered with the same PureSAT® Technology as professional oximeters, you can trust you will always get an accurate read. Price: $120.00 10) Deluxe Aluminium Bath Bench with Carry Bag Bath safety products are so important for elderly individuals. It is the easiest place to slip, fall, and ultimately get injured. You can help prevent this by gifting them a bath bench! This bench has adjustable angled legs and removable padded armrests for added comfort and security and drainage holes to prevent slipping. If you are concerned with its materials, it is made from all recycled materials! With its convenient carrying bag, you can easily travel anywhere with it. Price: $62.00 -
Assistive Technology Devices For Students With Physical Disabilities
In order to provide special education students with the tools they need to succeed, it is important to understand them. Often times, students need assistive technology beyond just wheelchairs and lifts. This is because students suffer from a range of disorders that may affect more than their ability such as: autism spectrum disorder, blindness/low vision, communication disorders, and more. To understand what qualifies as an assistive technology device and which are the best, keep reading. Assistive Technology Devices: The Basics Assistive technology, commonly referred to as AT, is any item or piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Devices can also range from low to high technology depending on their components. Examples of low tech devices include: digital hearing aids, alternative mouses/keyboards, and closed caption televisions. On the other hand, high tech devices like specialized computer software are much more advanced and require special training. Which category you should invest in depends on your students, their needs, and what will provide them the most benefit. Assistive Technology Devices: The Application The basis of application lies in inclusive design. In order for every student to succeed in their education, they need to have the same opportunities. This means that education administrators, special education teachers, and parents need to ensure they are doing everything to level the playing field. Often times, the answer lies in investing in even the most basic tools. Consider reading aids like colored overlays, dictionary pens, or audio tapes if your students are struggling in this field. On the other hand, if your students are having trouble writing due to mobility issues there are also many inexpensive tools! Items like slant boards, digital spellers, adapted paper can make all the difference. All in all, it is important to raise awareness of the low tech assistive device and the massive impact they can have in the classroom. At the end of the day, it is our job to ensure that every student can and will succeed
