Tagged with 'For Caregivers'

There’s little doubt that quality of sleep is essential for overall health and well being. Despite that, a full 7-19% of adults do not get enough sleep to maintain a healthy lifestyle (National Institute of Health). Selecting the right bed for optimal sleep is one of the most important purchases you can make for you or a loved one’s overall health– it can even save your life! 

For adults dealing with chronic illnessess, a loss of mobility, or a stationary lifestyle, finding the right bed is exponentially more important. 

While most people know the importance of finding the right long term care bed, it’s easy to overlook one of the most important elements of a good night’s sleep: the mattress. 

The right medical air mattress can support medical treatment and offer much needed pressure relief for loved ones. 

In this blog, we'd love to introduce you to two of our favorite mattress types that help support patients: pressure redistribution mattresses and low air loss mattresses. 

Pressure redistribution mattresses and low air loss mattresses, while not exactly the same, often provide similar benefits. They are often used interchangeably, but have important differences. 

Alternating pressure mattresses are designed to periodically change the pressure distribution on different areas of the body. Multiple air chambers periodically inflate and deflate, maintaining constant pressure over time. This alternating pressure therapy helps alleviate pressure points, improve blood circulation, and reduce the risk of developing bedsores or pressure ulcers. 

On the other hand, low air loss mattresses focus on addressing issues related to heat and moisture buildup during sleep. These mattresses are equipped with small air-filled cells that allow constantly circulating air flow. This helps maintain a cooler, drier sleep surface, and also prevents pressure sores by continually pumping air through the mattress. 

While alternating pressure mattresses primarily address pressure relief and circulation, low air loss mattresses primarily address temperature and moisture levels (thought they do have pressure-relieving benefits as well). However, some mattresses incorporate both alternating pressure and low air loss technologies, offering the benefits of alternating pressure, circulation improvement, and temperature regulation in a single mattress.

Overall, these mattresses provide the following benefits: 

• Pressure ulcer and bedsore prevention
• Relieve chronic pain caused by pressure points
• Help maintain skin integrity by reducing friction
• Prevent excessive moisture buildup or sweating during sleep
• Promote blood flow and circulation

These carefully designed mattresses can benefit many types of patients, but are a particularly good fit for loved ones at risk of developing pressure ulcers or bedsores. This typically includes patients who are bedridden, have limited mobility, or spend most of their time in bed. Those who struggle with excessive sweating can also benefit from the cooling technologies of a low air loss mattress.

Why not have the best of both worlds? If you can’t decide between a low air loss or pressure redistribution mattress, many mattresses offer both features at the same time. For example, the Deluxe Air LAL 2-1 Alternation Mattress is designed to provide both alternating pressure and air loss therapy. The mattress features 18 air cells that can create static and alternating pressure therapy. 

When shopping for the perfect long term care bed for you or a loved one, it’s important to carefully consider your mattress choice. Pressure redistribution and low air flow mattresses support the caregiving process and promote a healthier lifestyle overall. 

Need some assistance finding the perfect mattress match for you? Our team of product specialists would love to help– Give us a call anytime and together we’ll find the best fit for you or a loved one. 

Two of the most common everyday mobility solutions are power wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Both allow users to easily navigate daily excursions without the stress of walking, though they do have important differences. Here, we’ll cover what differentiates power wheelchairs and mobility scooters, as well as how to choose which solution is best for you. 

If you or a loved one needs some extra support “getting around”, mobility scooters are the most popular, affordable option. These battery-powered scooters are great for users who need only mild to moderate mobility assistance, as they do require arm and torso strength to operate the tiller handle. 

Mobility scooters can be excellent for travel: many models fold down or disassemble to be easily tucked away in a storage compartment. This bypasses the need to purchase an expensive vehicle lift. Mobility scooters come in many lightweight models to make even airline travel a breeze. 

Buyers can choose between smaller 3-wheeled scooters with tight turning radiuses or more sturdy 4-wheeled scooters that can navigate rougher terrain with ease. 

Mobility scooters are a great option for many, but do have limitations. They are not a good solution for users who lack arm/torso strength or will be primarily in tight, narrow spaces. Scooters are generally larger than electric wheelchairs and require a bit extra space to maneuver. 

In short, scooters are entry-level mobility solutions: designed for those who are still largely mobile but need a bit of extra help. In contrast, a power wheelchair is designed for users who progress out of a scooter and are more dependent on a mobility device for everyday life.

As compared to manual wheelchairs, battery-powered wheelchairs can be operated easily with a one-handed joystick– this allows users to control the chair with very little effort. 

These wheelchairs are usually more compact than mobility scooters, and can easily navigate smaller spaces. However, many models lack the portability of mobility scooters. They can be more difficult to transport, as most cannot be folded or disassembled for travel. Power wheelchairs can come in a wide range of models for different lifestyles, and some even support extreme terrains like sand or snow. 

When deciding whether to purchase a power wheelchair or mobility scooter, you may want to consider the following questions: 

• What level of mobility does the user possess? Will they use this device all day, every day, or only occasionally?
• Does the user have sufficient arm/torso strength to operate a scooter tiller?
• Will the user be traveling frequently? How important is portability?
• In what terrains will the device be used? Around the house? Across grass or gravelly areas?

The answers to these questions should help inform your purchase. However, if you find yourself needing a bit more assistance we strongly recommend you contact our team of product specialists to find the perfect model for you. 

If you’re searching for a hospital bed for you or a loved one, you may wonder about Medicare coverage. While Medicare does cover basic hospital beds for qualifying patients, a specific set of conditions must be met. 

In order to qualify for a hospital bed under Medicare, you must meet the following requirements.

Qualifying conditions range from congestive heart failure to breathing problems. Hospital beds are prescribed to individuals who require a head-of-bed angle higher than 30 degrees or sleeping positions that are not possible with a normal bed. 

A participating physician must prescribe a hospital bed based on a documented medical condition, paired with a signed Medical Necessity certificate. Each bed model and add-on comes with additional documentation requirements.

If the above conditions are met, Medicare will cover 80% of the total cost of the hospital bed for those with Part B enrollment. You’ll still be responsible for a 20% copayment, and Medicare will determine whether you purchase the bed or rent for a 13-month capped rental period.

Your final cost will be based on a variety of factors: type of bed, location, insurance parameters, etc. 

Generally speaking, Medicare will only cover the most basic model of hospital bed to accommodate your needs. Medicare covers the following types of hospital beds: 

• Manual hospital bed: A fully-manual bed that adjusts by turning a crank. While affordable, these beds produce the most manual strain on caregivers. 
• Variable height hospital bed: In addition to adjusting the head and foot sections of the bed, patients can smooth transfers by adjusting the overall height of the bedframe.
• Semi-electric bed: While bed height requires a manual crank, head and foot adjustments are done with a handheld remote.
• Heavy-duty hospital bed: For bariatric patients who need additional support, patients over 300lbs can qualify for heavy-duty, extra-wide beds. 

If deemed medically necessary, Medicare can cover other items such as bed rails and trapeze bars. 

Be sure to double-check with your doctor, DME supplier, and Medicare to ensure approval throughout the process. Medicare may not pay any claims if the order is not submitted properly.  

Here’s the bottom line: if you want to customize your hospital bed to your specific needs and comfort, you’ll want to look outside of Medicare’s basic options. 

Some bed features not covered by Medicare include: 

• Full-electric beds, completely operated with a handheld remote.
• Rotating beds for easier transfer
• Customizable mattress types
• Ultra-adjustable beds with sectioned mattresses
• Customizable designs, frames, etc.
• Additional storage space
• Integrated weighting space
• Additional tilting and reclining options
• Etc. 

Proper sleep is critical for good health, and plays a principal role in injury prevention, memory, reduced cardiovascular risk, mood, and other important health indicators. You shouldn’t settle for the most basic model, but rather select a hospital bed which will best support your health needs and lifestyle. 

Our collection of homecare hospital beds are designed with optimal home-based care in mind.Here are a couple of our best-selling models.

EasyCare® SE Hi-Low Homecare Bed

Built with incredible attention to detail, this fully-electric hospital bed comes with a 4-section mattress support platform. This allows patients individual control over the head, legs, and deck elevation to create hundreds of different positions. 

Hi-low functionality make transfers a breeze, and advanced auto-contour functionality prevents shin shearing during position changes. With a built-in width extender, this bed can be perfectly customized to your comfort. 

Carroll CS7 Hi-Low Hospital Bed

Another best-seller, this highly versatile hi-low bed can easily accommodate any activity in your day-to-day life. 

The fully-electric bed can lower to an impressive 7” or raise to 30” for simple transfers and strain-free caregiving. Auto-contour functionality prevents shin shearing, and a one-touch floor lock system safely secures the bed in place. An upgraded slat-deck frame design creates increased ventilation and protects against infection. 

SafeCare LT Hi-Low Homecare Bed

Make no mistake: even at entry-level pricing, the MedaCure Ultra Low Hi-Low Homecare Bed provides the highest standard of comfort and attention to detail. Use the bright universal symbols on the remote hand control to find your perfect position. The auto-contour feature can raise the head and knees simultaneously, preventing painful skin shearing. 

Rapid tool-free assembly means you can start relaxing in your bed in no time. While set-up and maintenance may be a breeze, the quality of construction speaks for itself. The bed’s durable, reinforced steel tube frame can easily support up to 500lbs. 

PerfectCare Versatile 2-in-1 Homecare Bed

Delivering care has never been easier. Breeze through set-up and maintenance: this bed requires no tools at all. Bed too short or narrow? Extend the width and length in a matter of seconds (headboard and footboard included!). The 8-function hand pendant lowers the bed to a safe 7” tall for seamless transfers, then can raise to 30” to make caregiving easier. Protect from pain skin shearing with the auto-contour function, which raises both knees and head simultaneously. 

Medicare does provide limited hospital bed coverage, given that specific conditions for medical necessity are met. MedMart accepts Medicare at our brick and mortar stores, but not via online retail.

For those who don’t fit Medicare’s rigid requirements or are looking for additional functionality and comfort, privately purchased hospital beds through a provider like MedMart are the way to go. Customize your ideal bed based on your optimal positions, add-ons, or interior design preferences. 

Get in touch with a MedMart product expert today to find the best-fit hospital bed for you. 

For those struggling with poor mobility, lift chairs can offer valuable support in everyday life. While they may look like everyday recliners, lift chairs contain powerful motors to gently guide users to a standing position. This can be an invaluable tool to those struggling with arthritis, recovering from surgery, or anyone needing an extra helping hand.

Once you’ve made the decision to purchase a lift chair, your next question may be “which chair best suits my needs?”. Not only do lift chairs come in a variety of materials, colors, and brands, but different position options as well. 

Today’s lift chairs come in a wide range of positions and motor functionality depending on your needs. Adjustable footrest positioning or a flexible recline mechanism can make all the difference in your daily comfort. 

In this blog post, we’ll explain the differences between 2-position, 3-position, and infinite-position lift chairs so that you can make an informed purchasing decision. 

When most people think of a recliner, a 2-position chair comes to mind. A 2-position lift chair raises the footrest while offering a few inches of back recline, making it more comfortable to rest or watch TV. These chairs can be affordable, still offer the mobility support of a lift chair, and are ideal if you need only a small recline. 

Most 2-position lift chairs have a gap between the ottoman and seat, and a single motor that controls everything. All our lift chairs are electrically powered, meaning there’s no need to fumble with a manual lever to comfortably recline. 

2-position chairs are great for relaxing after a long day, watching TV, reading, or conversing with family and friends. 

If you’re looking for more versatility, a 3-position recline chair leans back further than typical recliners. While it does not move into a fully horizontal position, the back of the chair moves into a deep incline comfortable for relaxation and sleeping. A hand control stops the recliner at any position along the way, making it easy to find your ideal position. 

3-position lift chairs typically come equipped with a single motor, meaning that the back and footrest cannot be adjusted independently. Most have no gap between the ottoman and the seat, making for a more comfortable seat. 

For the full versatility of 3-position lift chairs at an affordable price, we recommend our best-selling Heritage 358 Lift Recliner. 

If you or a loved one spend a significant amount of time in a lift chair, it may be time to consider ugrading your comfort with an infinite-position chair. 

These highly-flexible lift chairs come equipped with a dual motor system that allows the back and footrest to operate independently. With the push of a button, users can lift their legs without reclining, or move the backrest only. These chairs are typically padded all the way down, with no gaps between the back and footrest.

Infinite position chairs come with a much greater range of positions than 2 or 3 position chairs. Bring the back rest completelly parallel to the floor for a comfortable sleep, raise the footrest above your body to promote circulation, or enjoy zero-gravity mode. Users can adjust the seat and footrest to their specific needs, then program those positions to the hand-held controller. 

If you’re looking for a single chair to accommodate all your needs now and in the future, look toward an infinite-position chair. While you or a loved one may only require a slight recline now, in the future they may wish to sleep in their chair or use different positioning to aid injury recovery. With additional add-ons like massage and heat, they may never want to leave the chair! 

If you’re considering an infinite position lift chair, take a look at the Cloud MaxiComfort Power Lift Recliner. This chair includes endless opportunities for comfortable positions, wrapped in a very forgiving flex foam. The patented scissor-box mechanism raises and tilts the entire seat to customize to your body precisely, alleviating back or knee pain. 

If you or a loved one needs a bit of extra assistance raising from or lowering to a deep seated position, a lift chair can make all the difference. Browse MedMart’s collection of lift chairs, or talk to a product specialist today to choose the perfect chair to accommodate your needs. 

Do you prioritize healthy sleep habits? You spend over one-third of your life in bed, and sleep habits can have incredible, long-lasting effects on overall health and quality of life. 

So why do we still sleep on old or uncomfortable furniture? Everyone has different preferences for what they require for an optimal night’s sleep. Your bed and mattress are two of the most important investments you can make toward your overall health. For loved ones who require extra bed functionality, multiple positions, or pressure point relief, this is exponentially more important. 

In this article, we’ll cover the importance of quality sleep as well as how to select an optimal bed frame and mattress for you or a loved one’s needs. 

A night of tossing and turning does more damage than needing an extra cup of coffee the following morning. Poor sleep has significant consequences to long-term health, including: 

Getting fewer than six hours of sleep increases susceptibility of high blood pressure. Without sufficient rest, your body is unable to balance hormone levels, which increases cardiovascular risk. 

During sleep, the brain produces brain waves that preserve memory. As sleep quality deteriorates, so do neural connections and information storage. It can be more difficult to process and retain information while running on insufficient sleep. 

If you are part of the one-third of US adults who struggle with insomnia, you have a 10x higher risk of depression. Without the restorative properties of sleep, the body struggles to balance mood and stress systems. 

Almost everyone, unfortunately, has experienced feeling a little drowsy at the wheel after a night of poor sleep. In the right circumstance, poor sleep can lead to fatal or life-altering consequences. One study found that individuals with poor sleep patterns were twice as likely to die in a workplace accident than their counterparts.

Disturbed sleep is also associated with an increased risk of falls in senior populations. Falls are one of the most common risk factors among seniors, with one in five leading to a serious injury like a broken bone or head trauma. 

And that’s just the start. Poor sleep patterns lead directly to weight gain, risk of diabetes, weakened immunity, and a long list of other risks. Insufficient sleep keeps your body from the restorative process that keeps it safe and functioning optimally. 

A good right’s sleep starts with the right bed. The right bed and mattress for your needs can make an incredible difference in health outcomes. 

With proper sleep being so critical to good health, it’s important to start with the right bed. If you are bed-bound or a fall risk, bed selection can make an enormous difference in the quality of day-to-day life. You need a bed that is safe, provides adequate customization, and can be comfortable enough for a great night’s sleep. 

Two highly-configurable beds we recommend are the EasyCare® SE Hi-Low Homecare Bed and the Carroll CS7 Hi-Low Bed. These best-sellers are Hi-Low, meaning they can raise or lower with a push of a button: accommodating easy transfers, reduced caregiver strain, and more. 

Both models include auto-contour functionality, which raises both knees and head at the same time, preventing abrasion from sliding down the bed. A hand pendant can change to any number of positions with the press of a button. 

Let’s be honest: not every mattress is built the same. Consider desired mattress material, coolness, firmness, foam density, and more based on your individual needs. 

If you choose to purchase a foam mattress, take into account the important role foam density plays in mattress support and durability

Low-Density Foam: Soft, and quickly regains shape because of more air inside the material. These mattresses are cooler to sleep on and often are available at a lower price point. On the other hand, low-density mattresses are less durable. 

High-Density Foam: Packed with more material per cubic foot, high-density foam is best for durability and pressure relief. These mattresses conform to your body’s unique shape and retain heat. 

For the “best of both worlds”, we recommend the best-selling Total Care VLX Tri-layered Foam Mattress. Cooling memory foam draws away excess heat from the body while sleeping, while still offering the pressure point relief of a foam mattress. 

Don’t be afraid to look beyond traditional foam mattresses, either. There are a wide range of mattress materials that provide specific benefits. 

Foam: Foam mattresses combine pressure relief with conforming, soft material. They may run warmer than other mattress types, but provide good support for sleepers. 

Air Pressure: Designed for those who require extra care around pressure sores and back pain relief, air mattresses support blood circulation and movement without causing damage to skin or back.

We recommend the bestselling Deluxe Air LAL 2-1 Alternation Mattress or Triple Air 3-1 LAL Alternation Mattress. These low-weight mattresses give extra stability and comfort while sleeping. 

Innerspring:  Classic innerspring mattresses have an inner steel coil support system covered by a thin topper. They offer firm support at a low price, and don’t trap heat in. However, they aren’t able to conform to relieve specific pressure points. 

Gel Mattress Toppers: For those needing additional comfort, a gel mattress topper helps regulate body temperature while providing extra support. 

Choosing a bed and mattress isn’t only about finding somewhere to rest your head at night. Your bed and mattress selection can play a major role in long-term health and well-being. 

Our team of product experts at MedMart can help you find the perfect bedframe and mattress set to support deep, restful sleep no matter your needs. 

Seniors or those with special needs may require something more specialized than a regular bed. That’s where a hospital bed comes in. If you’re taking care of a sick, disabled, or aging family member, a hospital bed can make them more comfortable and make it easier to give them the care they need.

The most common reason that our customers choose to purchase a patient lift is to reduce the risk of injury to both caretakers and patients during transfers. Helping a loved one from their bed into a wheelchair or helping them up from the floor after a fall may seem perfectly safe. However, when these transfers happen frequently they can cause back problems in caretakers and extreme discomfort for patients.

Pools are a great place to cool off during the hot summer months. Unfortunately, many pools are not accessible to those unable to safely navigate a set of stairs or a ladder. One simple way to make sure your pool is accessible to everyone is to install a pool lift! This helpful type of lift was designed to safely transfer people from a wheelchair into the pool. There are a wide variety of lifts designed specifically for poolside access, so the team at Med Mart is here to help you understand your options.

Online shopping has become the new norm for many, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Many businesses’ doors remain closed, and even those that are open may pose a risk to elderly or immuno-compromised shoppers. Whether you’re a savvy online shopper or completely new to the idea, we want to share some details about our website that will let you confidently shop online for medical equipment.

Customers often ask us about selling mobility devices that have been replaced or are no longer needed. Questions such as “Where is the best place to sell my medical equipment,” “Can I get a tax write-off for donating my used equipment,” and “Can I trade in my old products for new ones?” are some of the most common among customer inquiries. We want to help you understand all of your options, so the Med Mart team is here to answer all of your questions about selling or responsibly disposing of your old medical equipment.