Caring For The Caregiver

Being a caregiver to a family member in need can be stressful, lonely, and emotionally draining. It's very important if you are in that primary role to take good care of yourself in the process of caring for your ailing family member. Here are some tips for managing the role of caregiver:

1. You will likely feel a range of emotions throughout the time you are providing care. It's important to accept them and not beat yourself up over feelings of fear or resentment. Those feelings don't make you a bad person or mean that you don't love your family member, they simply make you human. Be gentle with yourself.

2. You won't be able to do it all. That's ok. Enlist the help of other family members, friends, and health professionals. Be clear about the needs of the person you are caring for by making a list. Often we can be pleasantly surprised by people's willingness to help, we simply need to ask.

3. Carve out time for yourself to relax, destress, and stay engaged in your social life. Exercise, stay in close touch with your friends, eat well and get plenty of sleep. It's also important to take breaks from your caregiving role to help maintain balance in your life.

4. Avail yourself of community services. It may come as a surprise, but community services are ready to help with transportation, support, and, like Pacific Medical Supply Salem, delivery of home care necessities. Call the local senior center in your area, the local Veteran's Administration, and search the web for specific services you may need to connect to. One that we recommend: Family Caregiver Alliance. The site is serachable by state, and you can find resources both for family member and yourself.

It's ok to include yourself on the long list of things that need to be taken care of.

Save Time. Save Money. Let Us Deliver!

We Deliver!

Did you know that gas prices are averaging $3.63 per gallon in Oregon?

Did you know that we also spend almost half of our leisure time in our cars running errands?

Running errands can be a drag, especially when your time is limited, or if you just want to enjoy yourself with a fun activity instead of driving around in your car from place to place, wasting gas. We've all been there - you make a list, drive to the store, get all the way home only to find that you forgot ONE thing. So frustrating!

Wouldn't we all love to cross at least one of those errands off our lists?

Enter: Pacific Medical Supply Salem. Make your list, give us a call, and if it's in stock we can put your order together and deliver it directly to you. No more hassle.

Take a look at some of the items we can deliver to you:

• Incontinence Supplies
• Wound Care Items
• Blood Pressure Cuffs - both Manual and Automatic
• Hydocolloidal Dressings
• Bath Equipment
• Transport and Wheelchairs
  
• Walkers
• Variety of other items, such as ADC Digital thermometers, ADC Finger-tip pulse-oximeters, Pocket masks, Bed wedges, 7", 10", 12", and various dressings and bandages.

If we don't have an item in stock available for quick delivery, give us a call with the details of the specific item you are interested in, and we will do our best to track it down for you so we CAN deliver it.

Count on us for all your home health care needs. We're here to help, and take some stress off your daily schedule. Call us today!

503-585-2027

5-Star Home Prep for Rehabilitating Patients

Anyone who's ever experienced a hospital stay knows there's nothing like going home and getting back into normal routines.  But after major surgery and/or a period of rehabilitation, just maneuvering throughout a home poses its own set of challenges. Fortunately, Pacific Medical Supply has everything you need to make the transition smooth for you or those you care for.

Are your parents or grandparents ready to switch to online for ALL mail?

With the latest headlines about the miserably failed enterprise of the United States Postal Service and the potential demise of a service that has been around as long as the Pony Express.  At the time the Pony Express had the right idea. Take a pile of mail periodically to one location and if you wanted your mail, you went into town and fetched it.  But we evolved to expecting our mail or a visit from our postal carrier daily, except Sunday. We expect it on time, even if all we get for the day are catalogs. 

We've also come to like saving money by paying bills online, sending e-cards, emailing everyone for holidays and promoting our businesses through the Internet and email.  It's no wonder that this enterprise of delivering mail daily to homes and businesses is going down in flames.

There is talk that 'Junk Mail' may be the last hope for the USPS.  Ironic, isn't it.  We've all been battling these companies that flood our box with items we haven't requested, marketing messages we just assume toss or line the birdcage with.

Urinary Incontinence In Children

In the United States, at least 13 million people have problems holding urine until they can get to a toilet. This loss of urinary control is called "urinary incontinence" or just "incontinence." Although it affects many young people, it usually disappears naturally over time, which suggests that incontinence, for some people, may be a normal part of growing up.  Want to read more?  Read the rest of the article at www.kidsneeds.com .

Pacific Medical Supply carries a wide range of Incontinence Products, from babies to adults.  

859754	PANTS TRAINING BOYS MED	26/BG 4BG/CS UNDER 34LBS
859577	DIAPER TENDER TOUCH SZ6	18/BG 8BG/CS
858916	DIAPER TENDER TOUCH SZ5	22/BG 8BG/CS
858965	DIAPER TENDER TOUCH SZ2	34/BG 8BG/CS
858578	PANTS CURITY CHILD XL 13/BG	13/BG 4BG/CS 85-125LB CHILD
855266	DIAPER CUTIES SZ6 35LB+	23/BG 4BG/CS
841156	DIAPER TRAINING PANTS TODDLR	18/PK 8PK/CS ULTRA THIN 18'S
853908	HUGGIES SUPREME JUMBO SZ6	20/PK 4PK/

 

Aging in Place - Is It Right For You?

Aging in Place simply means staying home as you age.  But, you need to think about it.  Is you home equipped for you as you age?  Can you get in and out of the tub?  What would happen if you fell?  There is so much to think about.  Here is a great website to get you thinking about the possiblilities of the years ahead.

The National Aging In Place Council Website.

After you check them out, come see us at Pacific Medical Supply.  We can help with all sorts of things to make daily activities easier as you age.  From Raised Toilet Seats, to Walkers, we can help.

9000 XT Recliner

Pacific Medical Supply has them!  

The 9000 XT Recliner wheelchair is the number one choice for individuals who demand a truly versatile, yet moderately priced lightweight wheelchair. The 9000 XT Recliner can be configured into an endless number of seat widths, depths and heights, and has multiple frame and upholstery options. The recliner has been standardized to interchange components and accessories with the other 9000 series chairs. Whether you need the lighter recliner package or the assist recliner package, the 9000 XT Recliner can provide it.

When Its Hard To Catch Your ZZZZ's

How much sleep do Seniors need?  How much are you getting?  Do you get quality sleep in your recliner?  I know you saw plenty of logs in that thing.

From  Medicine Net & WebMD:

Scientists are learning that more than half of the older people in the U.S. have at least one complaint about how well they can sleep.

But as sleep research progresses, insomnia among the elderly is becoming less of a mystery. Some new studies, for instance, suggest that altered sleep patterns are just a natural progression of aging.

Read full article here:

Tired of trying to fit in a lift/recliner that’s sized for someone else?  Look to the Comforter Series to provide your optimum fit.  The Comforter’s plush design provides exceptional lumbar support and a full chaise pad for total body comfort.  The Comforter Series' 10 sizes will allow you to tailor fit a lift/recliner to your specific needs.

Heart Attack Signs - Know The Signs

Heart Disease kills nearly 50% of Americans today. While this is known to many of us, what may not be known is how to tell when you or someone else may be suffering a heart attack. I thought the PDF below and this video would be of interest to each and every one of us.  Be well.
Please download this PDF.  I care, I want you to be my neighbor and friend for many years. 

 

Click for the PDF of this poster. Great reminders. Pacific Medical Supply Salem has been serving Marion and Polk counties since 1962. We are the oldest medical supply in the mid-valley area. We began as an off shoot of the local ambulance company in the early 1960’s, and have grown into a full-service durable/home medical equipment dealer

 

 

 

Living At Home With A Chronic Condition

None of us are getting any younger.  As we age, we may face tough decisions.  Put Mom in a nursing home?  Try to take care of your husband at home?  What's the right thing to do?  What are the options?  

Consider these facts:

By the year 2030, 20% of all U.S. residents will be over age 65. At that time, 32 states will have populations that look like Florida today. Census, 2000

Thirteen percent of homeowners age 62 and older (2.5 million) need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Sixteen percent have difficulty with these everyday activities, but can still do them on their own. National Council on Aging, 2005

More than two-thirds of all older people who need help with everyday tasks live at home, including more than 70% of those with Alzheimer’s disease. U.S. Dept. Health and Human Services 2003, Alzheimer’s Association 2005

More Info at National Aging In Place Council.

Pacific Medical Supply is your source in the Salem, OR area for quality Home Health Care Resources.  We care Home Hospital Beds, Incontinence supplies, wound care, mobility aids and so much more.  Contact us today!  We want to help.