Gait and Balance Training – Helping Patients Get Back on Their Feet

Rehabilitation can be a frustrating and rewarding process.  Yet, as with many things in life, by implementing proven methods and using the right equipment, patients can get back on the road to recovery. HRS Direct is here to help provide the right tools for the task.

For example, let’s explore the benefits of a gait and balance training system.  These systems were developed as a means of helping people get back on their feet (literally) following a neurological disorder developed from stroke, injury to the spine, or other types of disease and incidents.

The point of gait and balance training is to “retrain” your brain to find alternate connections from those lost as a result of neurological damage. Therapists work with patients to help them regain balance, function, and stability.  Stability is the most important of the three because statistically speaking, nearly 40 percent of adults 65 and over fall each year, but never mention it to their doctor.  Falls are also the leading cause of injuries both fatal and non-fatal among the elderly in the US. In 2012 alone almost 2.5 million non-fatal falls occurred. Of those falls recorded close to 725,000 ended up having to be hospitalized. As the baby boomer population continues to age, we can only expect those numbers to increase.

Gait and balance training starts slow then gradually builds in intensity and duration until the patient can and walk without complications on their own. Once rehabilitation is completed the more the patient should continue to walk. In fact, believe it or not, a person's ability to walk is directly correlated with their lifespan. Studies have shown that once you reach age 70, the slower you walk, the greater your probability of death increases. By age 75 slow walkers live on average six years less than moderate walkers and 10 years less than fast walkers.

Gait and balance therapy has been used for many decades by physical and occupational therapists and has proven to be effective in helping get their patients back on their feet.  If your facility is looking for the best in medical supplies and equipment look no further than HRS Direct. 

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Wound Care – Tips for Enhanced Healing

It goes without saying that proper wound care involves keeping a wound as free from dirt and contaminates as much as possible. But there are many other factors at play in the healing process you should be aware of.  Extreme dryness/moisture, infection, excessive pressure, repeated trauma, edema, along with numerous other factors can also lengthen healing time.

When a wound is incurred the first thing to do is clean the affected area as safely and as soon as possible.  Leaving a wound untreated can lead to infection and ultimately a trip to the ER.  Try to avoid using things that can dry the wound out such as alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.  Experts suggest that clean water and mild soap are best for cleansing minor cuts.  Wash the wound for anywhere from 4-5 minutes.  Dress the wound in a dry bandage and be sure to change your dressings regularly.  More serious wounds should receive immediate medical attention. Use common sense; if you need to go to the emergency room go!

Once you are on the path of healing try to keep the wound moist if you can.  Proper moisture can not only enhance healing, but it can also aid in the reduction of scars.  Antibiotic ointment can help keep the wound free of bacteria and other potential infectious germs.  Use analgesics as directed. CAUTION: Overuse of topical gels and ointments can lead to over hydration which can cause other problems.  Signs of over hydration are best described as a wound getting “goopy” or “weepy”.  To counteract an over hydrated wound try to absorb the excess liquid in and around the wound with a clean towel or gauze. Do not try to let a scab form by airing the wound.  Contrary to popular belief, forming scabs can actually increase the time a wound needs to heal.

If your recovery time is expected to be lengthy, a great way to track your progress is to take a photo.  Most people or their children have a phone with a camera feature.  Take a photo of the wound, preferably with some type of measuring instrument such as a ruler in the photo near the affected area.  This will help you track the healing process.  You will also be able detect if things are getting worse early and allow you to take immediate action.

Lastly, a quick word on foot wounds:  Many people not only have trouble keeping track of a wound on the bottom of their foot, but have trouble seeing the bottom of their foot at all!  A quick trick involves using a simple handheld mirror.  While seated, place the mirror on the floor and gently lift the affected foot over the mirror.  You now should be able to view the wound easily and even take a photo as described in the previous paragraph.

So, in short, proper wound care requires some common sense and some not so common sense.  Of course, clean wounds using mild soap and water. Avoid astringents. Keep the wound moist, but not too moist.  Take photos to track your progress and use a mirror if necessary.  Consult with your physician to determine a wound healing regimen that’s right for you.  Best of luck and happy healing! If you are looking for medical supplies to assist in wound care look no further than HRS direct.

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Durable Medical Equipment for Bathroom Safety

One of the primary functions of durable medical equipment is to minimize the potential for injury from falls. One of the most commonplace areas for slips and falls is in the bathroom. It is estimated that nearly 250,000 injuries occur every year from falling in the bathroom.  Though not all of these falls are attributed to the elderly/disabled it's one area where a little caution can have a tremendous impact.

Safety First: Initially you should check your bathroom for slippery surfaces. Linoleum is a particular hazard because of its naturally slick surface. Tile is usually best where possible. If you have bath rugs, be sure to have them fitted with non-slip materials underneath to keep them in place. If possible, you can add traction stickers to the bottom of your bath or shower to give you more sure footing in this obviously slippery area.

Second: Don't Get Zapped. Make sure all electrical outlets are up-to-date and free from contact with water. Also, if you have many appliances requiring an electrical cord such as hair dryers, curling irons, etc., try to keep these things as far from water as is possible. This may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people are tragically electrocuted in the bathroom each year from not heeding this advice.

Third: Make Adjustments. It's amazing that despite the fact that we are all unique individuals’ our bathrooms heights and distances for toilets and sinks seem to be universal. As much as you can, try to adjust things to your needs. For example, make sure your bath controls are easily accessible and your towel racks are neither too high nor too low for you to reach. You can install safety rails in your shower. You can even place a shower chair in your bath/shower for convenience and safety as you are less likely to fall in the shower from a seated position.

Take a look at our quality Medical Equipment supplies at HRS Direct. By examining your situation and taking some simple precautions you can have one less thing to worry about in your day-to-day activities.

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Incontinence – Inconvenient, but not Incurable

Let’s face it; incontinence is never a popular topic of conversation in private, let alone at the holiday party. But did you know that over 18 million Americans are incontinent? Did you also know that 85 percent of them are women? 

Fortunately there's good news. Almost 80 percent of the cases mentioned above can either be cured or improved through proper medical attention.

Incontinence is defined as difficulty/inability in controlling proper elimination of waste passing out of the urinary or digestive tracts.  If any portion of the urinary or digestive tract fails to perform its proper activities incontinence can result.  Before you can treat incontinence you should meet with your doctor to figure out exactly what type of incontinence you have and what your options are for treatment.

Understand that incontinence is a symptom and not a disease as some might think. Changes in daily habits, exercise, nutrition, and medication regimens can vastly improve continence for some and completely cure it for others. Usually the true answer lies in a combination of some or all of the above-mentioned. In extreme cases restorative surgery may be in order.

Whatever the challenges you may be facing, HRS direct can help you with your short and long-term incontinence needs. HRS Direct can assist in providing you the best solutions that make living with incontinence or caring for someone with urinary or digestive tract issues that much easier. If you are looking for medical equipment and supplies count on a name you can trust.

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Rebound Health Tens Unit – IT Band Syndrome

Not many people are aware of a powerful muscle that runs alongside your leg.  It’s called the Iliotibial band or IT for short.  It connects to your hip and knee helping you walk and run. 

Iliotibial band syndrome occurs when the IT band becomes inflamed through overuse, usually from running (hence the name ‘Runners Knee’) with improper body mechanics and/or weakness in the other muscle groups supporting the IT band. 

IT band syndrome (ITBS) symptoms include sharp, stabbing pains usually on the lateral side of the knee as you run, especially down a steep decline. If left untreated, IT band syndrome can become debilitating and may require corrective surgery.

While rest, ice, and stretching are helpful, there is a complementary relief available for ITBS in a nonprescription form. The Rebound transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENs) may be just the thing to alleviate your pain in two ways. First it interrupts the pain signals to the brain from the affected source. Second, it helps stimulate your natural endorphin production to allow for longer-term pain relief.  Get your relief today by clicking on the link above.

Rebound Health – Simply Surround Your Pain, Power Up and Go!