Transitions

Maturing in age is one of the harder transitions in life. As an infant, one is always dependent on someone else to take care of their most basic needs like feeding, bathing and putting on clothes. As the infant grows they get an increasing desire for their independence. Once they begin to crawl, and then walk, they no longer need to be carried around as much. They begin to feed themselves and start choosing and putting on their own outfits. As the infant becomes a toddler they quickly grow in their abilities and become more independent of their parents. This progression into independence can be rapid and they will eventually be able to completely tend their own needs and wants.

For many people the loss of this independence, caused by a traumatic injury or just increasing in age, can be a devastating reality to deal with. Active Daily Living Aids are an easy way to help those you love keep more of their independence by helping with not only their physical needs but emotional needs as well. The simple act of putting socks and shoes can be a daunting task for some but can be made much more manageable with a Sock Aid and Long Handle Shoe Horn. The intimate act of bathing can be made much simpler, and safer, with a Bath Sponge and Shower Assist Bar. Seemingly small yet routine tasks can greatly enhance one’s independence and give a boost to morale.

Losing the ability to care for one’s self, although many times unavoidable, can many times be possible with just a little help. We all need assistance in some capacity at some point in life and that can oftentimes be a hard pill to swallow. It is important to know your abilities and limitations to continue your independence as long as possible.

Who is RMS 

RMS (Royal Medical Solutions) is a manufacturer and wholesale distributor of quality medical devices located in the USA. We offer a wide variety of products ranging from Mobility, Patient Care, Blood Pressure and Respiratory Care.

Let Us Help You

Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain

There are a variety of reasons why there are so many New Year’s resolutions. A new year is always looked at as a new opportunity or a fresh start. Creating a new and healthy YOU and making “lifestyle” changes are always at the top of the list. Another reason for this is because the holiday season is difficult to navigate through without being confronted with savory meals and heavy desserts which for many will increase the inches on their waist.

Getting a jump start on your New Year’s resolution will not be easy but can be made more attainable with just a few simple steps.

Eat a good breakfast

It has been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Although some experts will say this is not necessarily true, many will say that eating a good and healthy breakfast will help prevent binge eating later in the day. So, as you anticipate eating a large holiday meal later in the day, start your day with a full and healthy breakfast to help avoid overeating later in the day.

Pick Protein

Be sure to include a good protein in your meals. Protein can help maintain a healthy weight because they help the body feel satiated. The more content your body feels the less likely you are to overeat and snack on unhealthier food.

Pace your eating

The anticipation of the special holiday meal is many times what drives people to go back for a second and third serving. It is safe to say that we generally rush to get our second serving because these “once a year” foods are there and not because we are hungry. Savor your first plate of food by chewing each bite more and socializing and before you know it you won’t want a second serving.

Snack on fiber rich foods

Make sure there are plenty of vegetables and other high-fiber foods available to snack on. Fiber, much like protein, helps the body feel satiated longer than unhealthier snack foods like chips and crackers. So, instead of using crackers, chips or other empty calorie foods choose veggies such as carrots and broccoli.

Drink Water

We’ve all been told “you aren’t hungry you are just thirsty.” Well, making sure you have consumed plenty of water is another way to help control your hunger and keep you feeling full. Drinking water throughout the day as well as before eating food can help prevent you from overeating (not to mention your body functions better when properly hydrated).

Who is RMS 

RMS (Royal Medical Solutions) is a manufacturer and wholesale distributor of quality medical devices located in the USA. We offer a wide variety of products ranging from Mobility, Patient Care, Blood Pressure and Respiratory Care.

LET US HELP YOU

There are many things in everybody’s life that are beyond our control. We cannot control the weather when we walk outside, the traffic when we drive to work, or the long lines that we must wait in when trying to checkout at the grocery store. One thing that almost all of us are able to control is our physical and mental well-being. Regular exercise is a key factor in creating a positive atmosphere for one to excel in both their physical and mental lives.

Although extremely basic, walking is one of the best and most popular ways to increase your overall health. It is a free activity that does not need to be time intensive and can easily be a part of anyone’s everyday life. Experts say that just 30 minutes of walking every day can dramatically increase ones overall physical and mental health. Whether it is by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking at the back of the parking lot instead of the closest spot to the store or just walking around your living room while watching television instead of sitting down; walking is easy to implement in your life.

Walking does:

1. Improve cardiovascular fitness
2. Helps strengthen bones
3. Decreases excess body fat
4. Boosts muscle power and endurance

Walking can help reduce:

1. Heart disease
2. Type 2 diabetes
3. Osteoporosis
4. Some cancers

Getting into a routine is very important when starting to exercise. Get involved in walking clubs where people can hold you accountable. Change the environment to make your walks more interesting. Listening to music or your favorite podcast will help your scheduled exercise time to go by quicker. The more exercise you get the better you will feel and happier you will be. Consult your doctor in order to get an exercise plan that will work for you because exercising safely is of the upmost importance.

Making Exercise Safer

We have several products that can make your exercise routine safer and easier. A very travel friendly item to use when walking is the Folding Cane with Adjustable Height or the Folding Cane with a Quad Base. Both items are travel friendly and give you the ability to traverse more difficult terrain when outdoors. If you are on a walk and decide you do not want to use it you can easily fold it up and place it in your carrying bag.

If you need additional help finding the right sock aid please feel free to reach out to our team. We're happy to help. 

For seniors, over half of all falls occur in their home causing over 20,000
injury deaths a year. This is the leading cause for seniors to lose their
independence as in fact around 1 in 4 older adults fall each year, often
causing serious injury. Once a fall occurs that individual is twice as likely
to fall again.

One cannot overstate the importance of safeguarding one’s home and
daily life to prevent such an event from occurring. Over half of all falls in
the home occur in the bathroom. Although the consequences of such an
event can be overwhelming, there are several “easy fixes” that can be
made to help prevent an unforeseen event from taking place.

The combination of water on smooth, hard surfaces can be a hidden trap
that strikes at any time regardless of how careful you are being. The
simple act of getting in or getting out of the shower can be extremely
tedious yet made a much simpler task with Safe-er-Grip Shower and
Bathtub Assist Bar and Anti Slip Bath Mat for Bathtub.

By providing yourself with the stability of the assist bar and reducing the slick surface area of the bathtub with the anti-slip bath mat you are able to
significantly reduce the risk of falling. As the dangers of the bathroom
follow you even while traveling, it is a good idea to be cautious while
away from the home as well.

A handy way to do this is with the Safe-er-Grip Traveler Bathtub & Shower Assist Bar. The other big danger area in the bathroom is the simple act of lowering
yourself to the toilet and standing up from the toilet. The Foldeasy Toilet
Safety Frame helps the user sit and stand with greater ease and control
which greatly reduces the risk of fall that can occur.

The bathroom is one space in your house that is used every day. Easy
safeguards can be put in place to not only keep you safe and avoid
injury, but to help you keep your independence as well.
If you need additional help safeguarding your bathroom

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Arthritis is a frustrating disability millions of people deal with on an every day basis. One of the most aggravating problems facing arthritis patients is the ability to dress themselves. Painful hip and knee joints will not allow the bending and flexibility needed to reach your feet. Arthritis in your back or even your hands and fingers can make it very difficult to put on your own stockings or socks.

The RMS Sock Aid was voted the TOP aid by: https://www.top5reviewed.com/sock-aids/

This sock aid offered by RMS is a great option for someone who needs help for putting on socks. Users love the functionality and usefulness of this product, but some do complain about difficulties with putting compression socks on it.

This product features built-up foam handles, flexible plastic shell, slip resistant pad and cords that can be cut to adjust length. It helps individuals pull on socks or stockings. RMS deluxe sock aid is overall 38″ long with shell and cords. This dressing aid seems like a good choice for people who have problems with bending over.

The general user consensus concerning the RMS sock aid tool is that it is well made, sturdy, very helpful and easy to use. One happy purchaser states that it does what it says, which is helping those with disabilities to put their socks on by themselves easily.

Read more: https://www.top5reviewed.com/sock-aids/#ixzz5KUjkWkf9

For people with arthritis, joint pain and limited range of motion can make it very difficult if not impossible to put socks on. Assistive dressing devices, like sock aids, can help make putting on and taking off socks easier.

Some may even find it embarrassing to ask a spouse or child to help you put on your socks every morning. What can you do if there is no one around to help you get the job done? Some people have tried long handled food tongs to pull up their socks, but it is hard to maneuver and get your heel in. A bent grilling fork will work for a while until you scratch your legs and put holes in all of your socks from the tines.

Help is here with convenient arthritis friendly daily living aids. There are many handy sock aids for helping arthritis sufferers to put on their own socks. The basic principle of a sock aid is to slide the sock on to the sock holder. The holder is a half tube shaped plastic device, sometimes covered in a soft cloth. Drop the sock holder to the floor and slide your foot through the opening pulling up on the handle until the sock is in place. This eliminates putting stress on the users back or hips by bending over. Flexible sock aids, rigid sock aids, sock aids with one or two handles or no handles in different colors and styles are available. With so many choices, how does a person with arthritis choose the best one?

First, decide if a flexible or a rigid material sock aid is needed. Because flexible sock aids bend, they are easier to load the sock on the holder, and will not overstretch the sock. Rigid sock aids are usually larger and will stretch the sock more to hold the sock open wider. If swollen feet are a problem for you, choose a rigid sock aid that is extra wide. For compression stockings, use a rigid heavy duty designed sock aid such as the Ezy-As Sock Aid. Flexible sock aids covered in fabric are more skin friendly too. The terry cloth fabric covering on the outside helps the sock to stay in place, and the inside material is slick to reduce friction of heel sliding inside the sock aid. Some rigid sock aids are designed with an indentation or groove in the center to guide the heel when pulling the sock aid.

Next, decide what type of handle will work best for you. Some sock aids have long rigid handles which are easy to hold, but make it difficult to store the sock aid. Single cord handles will work well for people with the use of only one hand, but can be difficult for people with depth perception issues since the handle is a continuous loop. Sock aids with two handles require more coordination to pull the handles up at the same time using both hands. For people with arthritis, large foam grips are used to make holding the handles easier. Adjust the length of the cords as needed for the sock aid to reach the floor when the user is in a seated position.

Using a sock aid may take a little practice but the benefit of being able to put on your own socks is worth the effort. Living with arthritis is often challenging, but putting on your own socks does not have to be. The correct sock aid for your needs can be a simple solution to help make your life with arthritis a little easier.

If you need additional help finding the right sock aid please feel free to reach out to our team. We're happy to help. 

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 A cane is usually the most basic walking aid for most seniors and elderly. When most people think of a cane, they tend to think of a wooden hook shaped cane like their grandfather had. But there are many more options to consider when searching for the best walking canes for seniors and elderly. There are other shapes, bases, and features of canes that are important for improving mobility. Keep on reading to learn more about these options.

How are Walking Canes Used by Seniors to Improve Mobility?

Before learning about the best walking canes for seniors, it is important to really understand how a cane is used. Often, I see people who are using canes incorrectly. Other times, I see people using canes who should probably be using a wheeled walker or even a rollator with a seat. The reason is often they refuse to use a wheelchair even if it’s the best option.

Canes are for Balance – Not Weight Bearing

The proper use for a cane is just to help maintain balance. A cane should never be used for weight bearing or for full support of the body. People who hold onto furniture when waking at home usually benefit from using a cane. Also, people who have a foot that drags from a stroke or injury could benefit from cane.

Adjusting a Walking Cane for the Proper Height

Most canes are adjustable in height to fit seniors of varied heights. Some use a simple metal push button and others use a clamp. A cane that is too high causes shoulder pain. Smaller people should not use a cane that is too tall. But, a cane that is too low causes the senior to bend over too far which hurts the back.

When a cane is adjusted properly, there is a slight bend in the elbow with the user standing nearly straight up. For most seniors, setting the cane so that the handle is just below the hip joint is about right.

The Correct Way to Walk with a Cane

Yes, it does matter what hand the cane is held in. The cane is held in the hand ON THE OPPOSITE side of the injured or weak leg. And here is why.

In the typical human walking pattern, the left arm swings out as the right foot steps and vice-versa. This is how we humans maintain our balance. So, holding a walking cane in the hand that is on the opposite side of the injury, allows seniors and the elderly better control of their balance.

After getting the cane in the right, er, correct hand, the user should just walk normally. If the senior finds themselves putting weight on the cane or cannot keep a normal walking gait, a different mobility aid is probably needed. Also, If both legs are injured or weak, a walker or rollator is usually more appropriate. Sometimes wheelchairs or even power wheelchairs are the safest choice.

Types of Walking Canes for Seniors and Elders

Walking canes come in many types, styles, and forms. Probably many more than you realize. It is also important to know the differences between walking canes and walking sticks. Some types of walking canes have specific functions while others are also designed to look good or more stylish. Here is a quick rundown of some of the types of walking canes:

Standard Cane

A standard walking cane is the basic cane most seniors are familiar with. These are simply a support rod made of wood or steel usually with a curved or straight handle at the top. The cheapest canes are wooden ones but they are usually not adjustable in height.

There are many different handle styles for standard canes. Most, though, are classified as either a curved handle or a straight handle. Many doctors and therapists prefer a straight handled cane because it matches better with the hand angle while walking. A straight handle is more ergonomic than a curved handle.

Advantages: Least expensive, lots of choices in both design and style

Disadvantages: only for mild balance problems, weight distributed on a single point

Offset Handle Cane

The offset handle is a variation of the standard cane. I’ve also heard them called crookneck canes. With an offset walking cane, the cane bends like a swan neck before the handle. This distributes the senior’s weight over the cane tip for better balance. Like the standard cane above, there are many styles, colors, and designs to choose from.

Advantages: inexpensive, distributes weight directly over cane tip, lots of options

Disadvantages: only for mild balance problems

Quad Base Cane

 A quad base cane is a walking cane with a wider base. On this wider base are 4 cane tips that make contact with the ground. Because the base is wide and has more points of contact with the ground, it is more stable than the other types of walking canes. So, the quad cane is designed for seniors and elderly who need a little more balance support than standard canes offer. Find the best quad canes here.

Advantages: Weight distributed on multiple points, able to stand on their own

Disadvantage: Not a lot of style choice, a little heavier than other canes

Folding Cane

The folding cane has recently improved in popularity. This type of walking cane is collapsible and will fit into a purse or bag. It is easy to store and take with seniors so it is always available when needed.

Folding canes work like tent poles. The cane itself is made up of several smaller segments that fit together. An elastic cord runs up through the middle of the cane which keeps the pieces together. To use the folding cane, simply push the smaller pieces back together. To store it, the pieces easily pull apart and fold up.

Special canes like these are not usually provided under Medicare benefits.

Advantages: folds for easy storage and carrying, lightweight

Disadvantages: Requires good hand control to be able to fold and put together

Specialty Canes

Recently, there have been several improvements in the design and engineering of canes. Some designs have improved the support and function of a  walking cane. Others add bells, whistles, and gizmos like lights and alarms. Some canes have very unique styling and are marketed specifically for men or for women.