Pisces Healthcare Solutions. Blog

Mon, Jun 17, 2024 1 Beyond Words: Raising Awareness for Aphasia This June

June is #AphasiaAwarenessMonth. Despite affecting millions of Americans, most people are not familiar with aphasia. During June, recognized nationally as Aphasia Awareness Month, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is encouraging the public to learn more about the language disorder—and the effective, often life-altering, treatment provided by speech-language pathologists.

What is Aphasia?

affected areas of aphasia brain

Aphasia is a language disorder that affects how you communicate. It is caused by damage to the language centers of the brain, usually in the left side of the brain, that control understanding, speaking, and using signed languages. Aphasia may also impact one’s ability to reador write. People often think that those with aphasia have cognitive issues because they struggle to communicate. This is not true: Aphasia is not associated with cognitive deficits. However, word-finding difficulty—a hallmark symptom of aphasia—may be an early symptom of other neurological conditions, such as primary progressive aphasia (a form of dementia), that are accompanied by cognitive impairments.

According to the National Aphasia Association (NAA), more than 2 million people in the United States have aphasia. One third of all strokes result in the language disorder. Despite its prevalence, nearly 85% of adults over age 25 have never heard the term "aphasia." This highlights a significant gap in awareness about a condition that impacts so many lives.

Causes of Aphasia

Aphasia is most often caused by a stroke. However, any change to the brain can cause aphasia. This may include traumatic brain injury. Other causes may include brain infections, brain tumors, and other neurologic disorders that may worsen over time.

Treatment Approaches

Aphasia can be addressed in a variety of ways. Speech-language pathologists aim to use a person’s specific goals and priorities to determine a treatment plan, for example going back to work or resuming a specific hobby such as gardening, fishing, or attending card games with family and friends.

The goal of intervention is to help people with aphasia reestablish their communication skills and to work with family members and other communication partners to identify and train strategies that can support communication with their loved ones. Speech-language pathologists may also help people with aphasia find alternative ways to share ideas when they have trouble communicating. This may include drawing, writing, pointing, using gestures, and using other visual supports—these alternative methods are called augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC.

We asked our in-house Speech-Language Pathologist what her favorite Pisces Healthcare products for aphasia are. This is what Stephani Luhrsen, MS CCC-SLP, Clinical Education Specialist, was most excited to share:

Talking Photo Album with Personalized Voice Recorded Messages

“This is a motivating, patient specific,communication and intervention tool that can be utilized across the continuum of care. The album has 20 pages with pictures and audible captions and allows you to record personalized messages of up to 18 seconds per page.”

7 Level Communication Builder

“I love this customizable lower-tech AAC option that allows the user to record and play back from 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 different messages per level. There are 7 levels for recordings for a total of 112 messages. Depending on the veteran’s level of function and communication priorities, this communication builder can be set up to suit each individual’s specific needs throughout their treatment path.”

SyncPen2 - 2nd Generation Smart Pen

“The pen digitally records all your notes onto your smartphone, allowing you to seamlessly transition between digital and physical timekeeping. This tool is a great option for patients with high level receptive aphasia who are transitioning back in to work or a learning environment to be able to support their comprehension and make sure that no information is missed!”

#AphasiaAwarenessMonth

RESOURCES:

Free downloadable low-tech communication boards to help you communicate in your community, including boards for aphasia awareness, speaking with a doctor or pharmacist, or going to places like the airport or grocery and more.

Talk Tools | Aphasia Recovery Connection

7 Communication Tips for Talking with Someone with Aphasia from the National Aphasia Association

https://youtu.be/zkhlMrjsnyo

General Information from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

What is Aphasia (with Michael Settles) - ASHA Stream

Wed, May 22, 2024 0 National Women’s Health Awareness Month

May is National Women’s Health Awareness Month, a time to celebrate and empower women with health knowledge and resources, encouraging women to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This year’s national women’s health month is dedicated to empowering women to take charge of their health journeys and shining a light on health issues unique to women.

Pisces Healthcare understands the complexity of women’s healthcare. We are committed to staying up to datewith new, innovative products that aim to meet, honor, and celebrate women’s unique healthcare needs.

Did you know, more than 2 million Women Veterans live in the U.S. today?

Women are the fastest growing group in the veteran population. In 2000, only 4% of veteran’s were women. It is projected that by 2040, 18% will be women
Women Veterans have served across all military branches and divisions
Women Veterans and racially and ethnically diverse with 43% of the women who have used VHA health services in FY20 belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group

No matter where they live, every woman veteran has access to the VA health system which provides care at 1,293 health care facilities, including 171 VA Medical Centers and 1,112 outpatient sites of care.

Every VA Medical Center nationwide has a Women Veterans Program Manager to advise and advocate for women Veterans and help coordinate all the services they may need, from primary care to specialized care for chronic conditions or reproductive health.

Every VA offers maternity care coordination. VA Maternity Care Coordinators understand women Veteran's unique needs and will support them through every stage of their pregnancy.

VHA provides the highest quality, state-of-the-artsystems and health care equipment, including on-site mammography at 69 sites across the country.

Women veterans in focus graphic

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:

The Elitone Pelvic Floor solutions

Elitone products are the only FDA-cleared external solutions that tone your pelvic floor and calm your overactive bladder. Ditch the pads, stop your leaks, and feel the freedom in just 6 weeks. Elitone and Elitone URGE precisely deliver pelvic floor stimulation to effectively treat the most common types of incontinence. Whether you’re experiencing stress incontinence, an overactive bladder, or a mix of both, Elitone has the solution for you.

TINA

TINA is the world’s first comfort-first assistive aid for tampon insertion, designed so that everybody can use tampons consistently with confidence and comfort. Engineered specifically for a women’s anatomy with inclusive design for extra reach and easy grip.

Temperature Therapy Pelvic Wand

The only pelvic wand available that combines ergonomic shape with soothing temperature therapy.Clinically indicated toaddress endometriosis pain, Levator Ani Syndrome, Pelvic Floor Tension Myalgia, Vestibulodynia, Vaginismus, Vestibulodynia, and painful sex.

Adaptive Clothing

Pisces provides a variety of stylish adaptive clothing and bras.

Pisces provides a variety of stylish adaptive clothing and bras, designed to improve the comfort and independence of women with arthritis, barriers to their mobility, limited range of motion, pain, and more! These options include the Easy On Mobility Adaptive Bra and Adaptive Women’s Everyday Long Sleeve Top.

Elvie Trainer KegelExerciser

Pelvic floor problems are surprisingly common, affecting 1 in 3 women and up to 80% of expectant and new moms. Elvie Trainer is an expert-designed device that measures pelvic floor contractions, cutting the guesswork out of your workout.

Beyond National Women’s Health month, Pisces Healthcare will continue to be a partner in women’s healthcare, providing groundbreaking products that support each veteran’s specific health goals. For more innovative products, please see our Women’s Health Category.

VA Resources for Women

Women Veterans Call Center: 855-VA-WOMEN
Veteran Crisis Hotline: 988 (press 1)
Caregiver Support Line: 855-260-3274
VA Benefits Hotline: 1-800-827-1000

Mon, Apr 8, 2024 0 APRIL IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MONTH

We are celebrating by recognizing the Occupational Therapists that are making a difference within Pisces Healthcare Solutions!

Pisces Healthcare Solutions understands the value and importance of Occupational Therapist (OT) as vital players in the healthcare industry. Did you know that Pisces has 6 practitioners that are Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistants? Our team of OTs are vastly knowledgeable in a variety of practice areas and have certifications in hand therapy, lymphedema, dementia, orthopedics, and neurological conditions just to name a few. Some of our practitioners have over a decade of clinical experience!

Pisces’s Occupational Therapists work in various capacities, including our Clinical Liaison team or directly in the Sales field as a Solutions Consultant. No matter their role, our OTs are a vital part of the Pisces Team and are here to make a difference in the lives of our Veterans to guarantee they have access to products that will promote independence and well-being in everyday life activities.

Our clinical team of Occupational Therapist research products to ensure our Veterans are provided with a complete and comprehensive product offering for their VA team to choose from. Pisces’s Occupational Therapist have extensive roles such as updating our products within the website to ensure clinical details are available for the Veteran’s clinical team to help them determine if a product fits the needs of the Veteran.

Our Occupational Therapists also research clinical equivalent substitutes to recommend for discontinued or extended back ordered products. Clinical product questions from customer service are flited to our Occupational Therapists to ensure accurate advice and questions are answered appropriately. Pisces can also provide product trainings and educational webinars to the VA that can be demonstrated by our Occupational Therapists.

Pisces is the largest distributor of medical and rehabilitation products. We stay up to date with the newest technologies on the market to meet the needs of your Veterans with the help from our Occupational Therapists.

When asking our Pisces team of Occupational Therapist what their favorite Pisces products are, they were excited to share the following with you:

Hayley DeCandia MS, OTR/L, CHT, Solutions Consultant

I have been an OT for 5 years with clinical experience in hand therapy treating various hand conditions post injury or operation through exercises, modalities and making custom hand braces.

I really like the music glove as an engaging product for helping with fine motor dexterity!
I used to use Fit Mi clinically and I like it for reaching/gross motor movements.
The Neater Arm Support ZERO is one of our best upper extremity products! I love that it can help restore independence for those post stroke, spinal cord injury, ALS, General upper extremity weakness due to deconditioning.

Colleen Garrison OTD, OTR/L, Solutions Consultant

I have been an OT for 4 years with clinical experience in advocating in the Pittsburg, PA community for individuals with disabilities, especially for Blind & Low Vision. I worked with a local nonprofit to help get some crosswalks downtown to have auditory and tactile cues for safety. I’ve always loved being an advocate for the disability’s community.

I LOVE the talking microwave & the pill planners. Especially the MedCenter one month talking pill planner! I like that it’s a one month supply, has a talking guide on how to set the alarm, and it has tactile cues for user feedback. These are so inclusive and versatile. Products like these really help to increase independence and overall quality of life!

Megan Shanahan MS, OTR/L, CLT, Solutions Consultant

I have been an OT for 9 years with clinical experience in acute care & outpatient, with specialties in burns, early mobility in the ICU, and lymphedema.

My favorite product is the Neater Arm Support Zero. From an OT perspective, a lot of my ADL sessions in acute care were hand-to-mouth treatments in regard to oral care or feeding, and the individual was able to complete the task if I stood or sat right next to them providing elbow support for gravity eliminated movements. The Neater Arm Support Zero takes away the need for a caregiver to physically be right there lifting the elbow, this device allows the individual to be more independent in their care.

Kallie Wray MS, OTR/L, Solutions Consultant

I have been an OT for 7 years with clinical experience with geriatrics in skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation. I worked with individuals post orthopedics procedures, surgeries, recovering post stroke or illness, as well as cardio-pulmonary dysfunction.

My favorite Pisces product(s) because I can't choose one: Neater Eater -- those demonstrations and set-ups have brought me to tears multiple times especially those who have been able to feed them self for the first time after 6 months of not being able to following a SCI.
The HandSteady Cup-- I always HATED giving an adult a sippy cup and having a dignity-based option to provide feels so good!
MedCline LP without question, It is just so soft, cozy and provides such great positioning! Personally, I want it in my house.

Amanda Vuocolo MS, OTR/L, Clinical Liaison

I have been an OT for 14 years with clinical experience in geriatrics and special needs adults. I have treated a vast array of conditions in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation both PM &R and SNF, community-based home care for geriatrics and special needs group homes. I have additional certifications in Fall Prevention and Dementia.

My favorite product is the SitnStand Compact Chair Lift Assist. It is a simple solution to help Veterans stand up from any siting surface whether at home or on the go. No more having a caregiver pulling on their arm to stand them up. This product maximizes safety and functional independence when sitting to/from standing with just a click of a button!
I have an extra- soft spot for the cognitively impaired and helping them embrace their daily lives safely and to be as independent as possible. Being in home care, home modifications were crucial in ensuring an individual’s safety and participation in daily life roles. The Automatic Stove/oven control can limit when the times when the oven is operable or to turn off the stove when no one is in the kitchen. Motion sensor night lights and toilet lights are great for minimizing falls at night, as well as door and window alarm can also be used on any “off-limit” areas and to alert caregivers.
I also really like the Quick Ship shower chair option for faster order fulfillment. This allows for the Veteran to get their shower chair timely and to sit comfortability while bathing and reducing the risk of slips and falls.

Jasmine Wilson COTA/L, Director of Sales Administration & Clinical Training

I have been a COTA for 14 years with clinical experience in geriatrics in long-term care, skilled nursing facilities and the neurological acute care setting. As a previous Director of Rehab, I recognize the importance for appropriate education for discharge planning and improving clinical outcomes with proper DME directly reduces re-hospitalization rates. I have also served on the MS Occupational Therapy Association Board as Public Relations Chair, as well as taught several CEU courses such as, OT Beyond Boundaries (2020); Professional IWalk Fitting Course and Certification (2020), Neuroplasticity: A repetitive & Consistent Approach (2019), Breaking the Clinical Barrier (2018). Now serving as Pisces Director of Sales Administration & Clinical Training.

My favorite product is probably the Neater Eater! I love the versatility of it! All of the little adjustments that I can tweak to make someone successful at mealtime! But also, I can use right out of the box! The switch is so easy and has pictures!
I also am very passionate about seating and positioning! Working in LTC, we really understood that poor seating and positioning posture not only limited functionality, it was a safety concern for pressure injuries! It's always a joy to help someone select their type of wheelchair and cushion and accessories fit all their clinical needs! The Drive's M3 wheelchair and the HydroGuard Gel-Foam cushion would be great products for our Veterans!

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), “Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on the things you want and need to do in your daily life. Occupational therapy intervention uses everyday life activities (occupations) to promote health, well-being, and your ability to participate in the important activities in your life.” Our large product offering and team of Occupational Therapist along with our entire Pisces team are here to do just that and more to serve those who have served us!

Thu, Feb 15, 2024 0 February is Low Vision Awareness Month

February is Low Vision Awareness Month

Eyesightis the most important and complex of the five basic senses that people possess. In fact, researchers estimate that 80% of our perception and interpretation of the world around us stems from our vision.

Unfortunately, as we get older it is normal for our vision to change and age with us. Normal vision changes can be helped through contacts, glasses, and regular Optometrist visits. However, not all vision issues can be easily solved with spectacles.

Visual impairments, and more specifically low vision issues, are ones that do not have an immediate remedy. Low vision makes it difficult to do everyday tasks and activities such as walking outside, driving, and reading. Aging alone does not cause low vision. A variety of eye injuries, brain injuries, and certain genetic disorders can become the catalyst to low vision. This visual disability is more common in elders because the many diseases that cause low vision are more common in older adults.

The type of low vision that you may experience depends on the disease or condition that caused your low vision. Most common types included: Central vision loss, not being able to see things in the center of your vision; Peripherial vision loss, not being able to see things out of the corners of your eyes; Night blindness, not being able to see in low light and lastly blurry or hazy vision.

Did you know approximately 12 million Americans, or 8% of our population, 40 years and older have a vision impairment? Of these 12 million visual impairments, 3 million have low vision. It is expected that by 2030, when the last baby boomers turn 65, the number of Americans who have low vision is projected to reach 5 million.

With such a large population of Americans effectedby visual impairments and low vision, new methods and technology have been created to help people get through their daily lives. Pisces Healthcare Solutions offers a wide variety of lighting products specifically designed to help those with low vision.

If you have low vision, you can find ways to make the most of your vision and keep doing the things you love to do. For minor vision loss, you can do things like use brighter lights and add color contrast at home and work, wear anti-glare sunglasses, and use a magnifying lens for reading and other close-up tasks.

However, if your vision is getting progressively worse and interferes with safety and everyday activities you may need to see a vision rehabilitation specialist who can help you learn more comprehensive compensatory techniques for setting up your environment so you can participate and move around safely.

In honor of February being low vision awareness month, we will highlight some of Pisces Healthcare Solution's best and most innovative low vision products that can become an aid and make a difference to you or a loved one.

Lighting Products:

Those suffering from low vision will find it extremely helpful to have their home well illuminated. Proper lighting can help ensure a safe environment. Having adequate and appropriate light in hallways, stairs, and other pathways throughout your house will help reduce your fall risk. Use a yellow or a soft/warm tone, depending on your visual impairment. Uniform lighting will also help eliminate shadows or dark spaces.

Modern lighting inventions include voice commands, automatic lights, and motion sensors. These lighting options do not require a person experiencing low vision to turn on and off lights, which can be dangerous and counter intuitive. Instead, a simple command, daily timer, or just the motion of a patient moving around will aid in your management of your lights, making the patient’s life more simplified.

Pisces offers the ‘Westek LED Night Light and Motion Sensorlights’. These motion sensor lights are ideal inside of bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, or any other room within your house that a patient may need access to at night. It can detect movement up to 25 feet away and automatically turns on the light, which will help minimize the risk of falling when attempting to turn normal lights on.

Another form of lighting includes a smaller accent task lightings. Task lighting is vital when working with instruments that can harm or become dangerous for a person with low vision.These lights are installed inspecific high activity task fixtured areas where detailed hobbies are performed, such as reading, cooking, crafting, or working with tools. Without proper lighting, these activities can be dangerous for a person experiencing low vision. Pisces offers the ‘Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lighting with ETL’ as a featured task lighting. This product is especially used and installed underneath kitchen cabinets to illuminate whatever is being prepared or cooked, ensuring the patient’s safety.

Combine lighting provides an excellent solution for individuals seeking enhanced visibility during their activities. Typically, it consists of a lamp or hand held light featuring a powerful light source and, additionally, includes magnification for tasks that demand close examination, such as reading fine print or engaging in intricate work. Pisces offers a 3.5 X Magnifying Desk Lamp combined lighting that zooms in 3.5x normal eyesight, ensuring its user can get up close and personal with nitty gritty details.

As established previously, adequate home lighting is necessary to keep people experiencing low vision safe. However, a drawback of normal lighting,which is not motion or command required, is the need to physically turn on and off the light source. This can be dangerous for a patient as it will be dark and difficult to see to turn on a light without a reliable light source.

A safer option that does not require patients to reach for tall lamps or feel for light switches are LED Lights and Floor Lamps. LED lights offer bright, energy-efficient illumination that can simulate natural daylight. They come in various color temperatures, so choosing a warmer color temperature may be easier on the eyes. LED Floor lamps with adjustable heads and brightness settings can provide directed lighting for reading or other activities.

Contrast:

Contrast enhancement is crucial for individuals with low vision, as it can increase brightness. This will help patients distinguish objects, texts, and surroundings more easily. Decreases in contrast sensitivity affect a person's ADLs and safety. Here are various contrast options tailored to accommodate low vision:

High Contrast colors: use high-contrast color combinations for objects, furnishings, and surroundings. For instance, using the Dycem Activity blue mat can enhance visibility for a variety of daily tasks and to locate items around the home. Placing a bright color mat on a busy counter to identify medications, under a telephone,in the bathroom under grooming items, and can even be used during mealtime under plates and cups. The mat serves as an anchor and is non-skid.
Additional high contrast options for meal time include a red dining set
As well as, other color options for scoop dishes and inner lip plates. This can help to increase eating and awareness of food on the plate.

For Bath safety, using a color bath seat will increase contrast more than a typical white chair and minimize fall risk when being able to locate the bath seat safely. The 360 Degree Rotating Shower Chair is a great option to ensure a person with low vision is able to get in and out of the tub safely.

Color Coding:

Implement color- coded systems for organization and identification purposes. For example use different colored tape or lables to distinguish between items or designate specific areas. Dycem non-slip self adhesive strips are great to customize and bring attention to household items such as grooming items, utensils and can even place on walkers to identify hand correct hand placement.

Medication systems:

Ensuring patient’s are taking the correct prescribed dose of medications at the correct scheduled times is imperative for maintainingone's health and managing medical conditions effectively. Individuals with low vision face unique challenges in accurately identifying the medications they need, which can as a result have serious consequences for their well-being.

Visual impairment and low vision may hinder the ability to discern pill labels or read dosage instructions, leading to inadvertent errors in medication intake. To address this issue, medication systems, such as pill dispensers equipped with tactile features and audible alarms, offer a great solution. These assistive technologies aid individuals with low vision, by distributing the correct medications and providing timely reminders for said meds.

Incorporating such systems into daily routines will allow individuals with low vision better medication management, and minimize the risks associated with incorrect usage. Here are several medication management systems recommended by Pisces:

As discussed in this blog, low vision and visual impairments can become serious inhibitors for patient’s daily lives. However, modern products have provided great solutions that allow patients to still live a relatively normal life.

Our product offerings of low vision products and assistive technology can help the visually impaired adapt to vision changes and maintain their independence at home, work and community. The above products could be available to Veterans through their VA benefits and if interested in any of the products please discuss them with the VA clinical care team.

If you have questions about any of the above products or any products on our website, please feel free to inquire for further information.  

Mon, Jan 8, 2024 0 Reaching your goals for the New Year!

The end of the year is an opportunity for new beginnings. Creating resolutions for the upcoming year is a great way to re-evaluate what you deem important in your life and make realistic plans to reach your goals. It is common during this time of the year for people to devise new resolutions they wish to achieve. Goals vary depending on the person but normally involve an aspect of a person’s life they believe they can improve upon.

While most people will have a resolution they wish to complete for the new year in their heads, very few are able to fulfill their wishes. In fact, “researchers suggest that only 9% of Americans that make resolutions complete them. While 23% of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January.” These numbers can be quite shocking, however, there are steps that can be taken to increase the likelihood of completing a resolution.

First and foremost, write your goal down! Research has shown that just writing down goals for the new year will make you that much more likely to achieve them. “People who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them than those who don't. Why is this? Clarity! Writing down your goals helps you clarify what you want to achieve.”

Secondly, your goals need to be quantifiable. For example, if your goal is to read more, give yourself a number of books you want to complete by the end of the year. If you want to become more physically active come up with a goal of steps to walk in a day. It is also important to set yourself up for success by creating realistic goals that are achievable for you and your own capabilities.

Finally, find tools, products, or devices that will aid in the completion of your resolutions. Thanks to modern-day medical devices, like the ones offered at Pisces Healthcare Solutions, achieving resolutions are much more realistic even when taking disabilities into account.

We have established how to ensure the likelihood of staying on track for your New Year’s goals. Below you will find different products offered by Pisces Healthcare Solutions that will aid in the achievement of your 2024 New Year’s resolutions.

Resolution: Working out/Losing weight

A common goal for the New Year for most is to become more physically active or work out more. Getting active, staying active, and reaching your wellness goals just got easier with the Cubii Jr+. This device can be incorporated into any part of your routine! The CubiiJr+ is a low-impact elliptical that helps burn calories, targets the lower body and obliques, and can increase leg strength, mobility, and your daily activity level.

The Cubii Jr+ features a built-in handle and weighs less than 20 lbs,andcan be picked up to be positioned under your desk or at your favorite seat. The built-in LCD display screen tracks your strides, distance, speed, active time, and calories burned, while seamlessly syncing with the Cubii mobile app and other fitness tracking apps to keep you accountable and stay on track for the long haul!

Resolution: Becoming more Physically Active

Becoming more activein your daily life can be especially difficult for those with limited mobility. However, modern mobility devices are becoming easier to use and even more reliable. The NightHawk Rollator is a powerful mobility device that will ensure you get moving all while providing safety and stability.

Designed with a durable aluminum frame that supports Veterans up to 300 pounds. It features easy-to-adjust arms with ergonomic handles, a top- to-bottom protected braking system. Accommodates varied heights from 4’11” to TALL Veteransup to 6'4". A cane holder and mesh tote for carrying personal items are standard accessories that come with the NightHawk, however an oxygen tank holder can be purchased separately if needed. Additional features include an 18” x 10” thickly padded seat with a handle to quickly and easily fold and unfold side-to-side (rather than front-to-back), allowing the unit to maneuver through narrow doorways. Folds up for quick and easy transport in any vehicle and for storage.

Be confident with your mobility and get outside, the fresh air will help you feel rejuvenated! The NightHawk Rollator will surely help you reach your daily steps goal!

Resolution: Increase Flexibility

Before and after a workout it is important to warm up muscles and joints and minimize pain through stretching. Stretching can sometimes feel like a redundant activity that just prolongs a workout, but it helps to prevent injuries and it keeps you limber. Hold stretches for about 20-30 seconds in a variety of positions, and don’t cheat! A device that can assist with increasing flexibility and maximizing stretching ability is the IdealStretch Device. This is a hamstring and calf stretcher that will help put all of that pain, tightness, and soreness in your rearview, so you can feel good and move around better for all those daily activities you love! This device effectively stretches the hamstring and calf at the same time; It's also a great knee and lower back stretcher that helps relieve tight and short Iliotibial (IT) band tissues. This stretch device is lightweight and portable, made with a durable steel frame that can handle the wear and tear from heavy use. Your body will thank you later for stretching with the IdealStretch Device!

Resolution: Establish Healthy Eating Habits

If healthy eating is your goal, that doesn't mean you have to give up all of the foods you love at once. Try making one or two small changes at a time. Allowing yourself the occasional salty snack or piece of chocolate can actually help you stay on track and achieve your long-term goals. For others it means, being able to access their healthy food choices with adaptive feeding equipment. Some options to consider are anti-tremor utensils such as weighted utensils and Gyenno Bravo Twist, colored dishes and utensils for visual enhancement to increase appetite, as well as ELISpoon for people with limited hand and arm mobility. Another alternative is The Robotic Neater Eater, this is indicated for use with Veterans that maintain head control ability to include chewing and swallowing.

Whatever the preferred method of eating, everyone should have the accessibility to enjoy healthy foods and establish healthy eating habits for a healthy lifestyle.

Resolution: Increase Water Intake

Drinking water has numerous benefits. Water is crucial for many bodily functions, such aslubricating the joints, delivering oxygen throughout the body, decreasing kidney damage/infections, and much more!Pisces Healthcare Solutions offers a vast catalog of drinking aid products. If one of your goals is to consume more water, check out just a few of our simple devices that will help increase your water intake every day.

The Giraffe Bottle Hands Free Drinking Solution allows users with various abilities to stay hydrated. The system is designed to be flexible and easy to use. The solution is great for desks, wheel chairs, beds, tables, and more with use of the various holders and mounting options. Available inBPA Free Plastic and stainless steel, various neck lengths from 15 inch to 36 inch as well as various valves to meet the capability of each Veterans swallowing ability. The BPA Free Plastic Clear bottle is printed with ml and oz markings for hydration recording. Easy to see when bottle needs to be refilled.

Veterans experiencing tremors, limited dexterity, or weak grip may believe it is not possible for them to reach their water intake goal, however, the HandSteady Rotatble Handle Cup satisfies all mentioned hand motor problems. This Cup has a rotating handle that self-levels, increases control, and reduces spills. No need to worry about creating a mess, instead worry about reaching your water intake goal.

Veterans with limited mobility below their necks would find a great benefit from using the Neater PoweredDrinker.This deviceenables people to drink liquids and puréed foods at their own pace all while maintaining their independence.

Resolution: Accountability

It is hard to start something new, we all want to be successful, however, mistakes will happen, acknowledge them, learn from them, and take steps to rectify them. Take responsibility for ensuring you remember your daily goals and routine that you have set for the New Year with the Your Minder Personal Recording Alarm Clock. Record with your own voice 6 alarm messages. The possibilities are endless! Record anything, from motivational mantras to reminders for medication or to exercise. This system is to alert you and remind you to encourage you to do daily activities. Pair the Organizer with the MedCenter Talking Clock and you have a complete monthly medication organizer and reminder system.

Track your daily or weekly weight progress with a talking weight scale. The Echo talking scale is equipped with a voice box that speaks the users weight in English and Spanish, the talking feature can also be turned off. Auto on/off feature, simply step on scale to turn on. The talking feature is ideal for vision impaired, however anyone who needs to monitor their weight regularly can benefit from this scale. The platform is extra wide, made of tempered glass and has a 3.5” LCD display. There are large anti-skid feet for additional safety and has a weight capacity is 400 pounds.

Take charge of your own health today!

Resolution: Challenge yourself

Whatever you do in 2024 – make sure you are pushing yourself to get better each day! As you can see, no matter your level of abilities you reside at, it is possible to reach your resolutions for 2024! Get involved, get moving, eat better, and drink more water. It is extremely important to set aside that 30 minutes each day tobetter yourself, but make sure you’re pushing yourself!So get out there and make 2024 a year for the ages!

The above products could be available to Veterans through their VA benefits and ifinterested in any of the products please discuss them with the VA Primary Care Physician, VA Occupational Therapist or VA Physical Therapist.  The VA could also provide these products to Veterans by Medical practitionerssubmitting the Request for Service Form 10-10172 and submit to the VA Community Care coordinator.  If you have questions about any of the above products or any products on our website, please feel free inquire further information. 