The Mountain View

Top 10 Worst Hospital Vistor Antics

2012-01-27T08:23:00.002-07:00

10. The girlfriend who came to visit her boyfriend with her little girl. She left her daughter with her boyfriend (the patient) while she went shopping.

9. The girlfriend who comes and stays over and thinks what she’s “got” is better than what we’re doing for the boyfriend…wink, wink…ALL NIGHT LONG!

8. Visitors who eat in front of patients who are “NPO” (are unable to eat)!

7. The visitor who came in barefoot and without a bra. “Swinging” the DD “sisters”.

6. The daughter who had a “juicer” and brought in some green stuff she wanted to add to Mama’s tube feeding.

5. The visitor who had a black thong ABOVE her khakis whose butt was aimed at the patients’ door.

4. The friend who snuck in marijuana and alcohol to the trauma patient who was hospitalized because he caused an accident while driving his car the wrong way on a divided road while drunk.

3. The family member who was trying to feed her unconscious family member because it had been hours since he last ate. And he needed nutrition to get better.

2. The significant other who climbed into bed to snuggle with the trauma patient…and then complained of all the pain the patient was in.

1. The family who moved into the patient’s room and CLEANED OUT the patient’s kitchen.

Source: http://scrubsmag.com/top-10-worst-hospital-visitors-part-ii

HME Claims in Round One See Staggering Plunge

2012-01-20T15:05:00.001-07:00

Plummets as stiff as 82 percent point to patient access crisis.

By David KopfJan 19, 2012

Medicare claims for HME covered by Round One of competitive bidding dropped by as much as 82 percent during in 2011, according to analysis of Round One data conducted by University of Maryland economist and auction model expert Peter Cramton. At the same time, the risk of death and hospitalization for beneficiaries needing HME spiked sharply.

The sharp drop in claims suggests a dramatic decline in access to care for Medicare beneficiaries living in Round One bidding areas who need home medical equipment and services, according to report on Cramton's data by the American Association of Homecare.

The drop in access runs counter to the claims made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that its competitive bidding program would reduce the number of HME providers without reducing access to care or reducing claims.

Cramton and his colleagues obtained Medicare claims data through a Freedom of Information Act request. CMS has not previously shared this data with AAHomecare or with Congress, according to the association. The association says it has already started alerting congressional offices to these findings and will continue to analyze the information.

Comparing annualized 2011 claims data to 2010 claims, HME items subject to bidding in all Round One areas fell by the following percentages:

Complex rehab: -82.1 percent
CPAP devices: -63.7 percent
Diabetic supplies: -74.1 percent
Enteral nutrition: -65.0 percent
Hospital beds: -63.7 percent
Oxygen: -61.7 percent
Standard power: -81.5 percent
Support surfaces: -73.8 percent
Walkers: -71.5 percent

To determine the findings, Cramton and his colleagues also looked at the increased risk for Medicare beneficiaries who are eligible but not using prescribed HME items, compared to beneficiaries who are using the HME item.
The increased risk of death was 106 percent for non-users of mail-order diabetic supplies. Their risk of hospitalization was 36 percent higher. Non-users of oxygen in the “narrow access group” faced a 79 percent higher risk of death and a 54 percent higher risk of hospitalization compared to Medicare beneficiaries who receive home oxygen therapy.

Professor Cramton will issue more detailed analysis soon, and AAHomecare will provide more information in the days ahead.

"The startling and dramatic numbers from Round One underscore the fact that the current competitive bidding program is dangerously flawed and must be stopped," read a statement from AAHoemcaer. "Congress must include the alternative Market Pricing Program which will achieve market prices without jeopardizing beneficiaries’ health or destroying the HME community."

Body Types: Scrubs That Hide Extra Pounds

2012-01-13T11:37:00.016-07:00

by Scrubs, Scrubs Magazine • November 5, 2011

The bounty of the holiday season may not tempt the few, but they are the downfall of the many. From the time you pop your first piece of Halloween candy until your last sip of punch on New Year’s Eve, putting on a few pounds is almost inevitable. Hopefully, your renewed commitment to fitness in January will melt those pounds away again. But maybe you’ll still need a few forgiving scrubs outfits to see you through until then. Here are several styles that can help you hide extra inches in different “problem areas.”

Upper Abdomen
That rich Thanksgiving dinner can leave you looking pretty bloated in the upper abdomen. To avoid awkward questions about a nonexistent due date for your gas baby, choose a top that is gathered at neckline. A round-neck top with smocking will do the trick nicely. Avoid wrap tops and empire-waist tops since these styles just accentuate a bulge in this area

Lower Abdomen
In contrast to the advice above, a mock wrap or an empire-waist top is ideal for concealing your lower tummy. These styles nip in at the smallest portion of your ribcage and flare nicely around your waistline. A top with a vivid, lengthwise pattern adds more camouflage and makes you look slimmer. Choose tops that tie back instead of those with back elastic if you want more precise control over sizing.

Muffin Top
If your pounds tend to hang around just above the waistline of your scrubs, a long top can be your best friend. Look for a tunic top that has a few extra inches at the hemline. One in a dark color is even more forgiving. A three-quarter-length sleeve will also cover up upper arms.

Hips and Thighs
Scrubs pants tend to follow street clothes fashion right now—which is a problem when leggings and flared jeans are all the rage. You need more ease in the hips and thighs if that’s where pumpkin pie and that extra serving of mashed potatoes like to hang out. Look for utility, cargo or straight-leg scrubs. These tend to be less fitted throughout the length of the leg.

Winter Wonderland: Tops for Skiing & Snowboarding

2012-01-09T15:23:00.003-07:00

TOP 5 SKI RESORTS WESTERN US
Vail, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado
Alta, Utah
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Snowbird, Utah

TOP 5 SKI RESORTS EASTERN US
Stowe, Vermont
Lake Placid, New York
Smugglers’Notch, VT
Mt.Washington, NH
Burke Mountain, Vermont

TOP 5 SKI RESORTS for BEGINNERS
Buttermilk, Colorado
Bretton Woods, NH
Sunday River, Maine
Sorthstar/Tahoe, California
Solitude, Utah

TOP 5 SKI RESORTS for Snowboarding
Mammoth Mtn, California
Breckenridge, Colorado
Park City, Utah
Big Bear Lake, California
Mt Bachelor Bend, Oregon

TOP 5 SKI RESORTS Black-Diamond Trails
Teton Village, Wyoming
Squaw Valley, California
Taos, New Mexico
Crested Butte, Colorado
Stowe, Vermont

TOP 5 SKI RESORTS for FAMILIES
Smugglers Notch, VT
Snowmass, Colorado
Northstar/Tahoe, CA
Winter Park, Colorado
Okemo, Vermont

TOP 5 SKI RESORTS Best Off-Trail Skiing
Squaw Valley, California
Alta/Snowbird, Utah
Teton Village, Wyoming
Mammoth Mtn, California
Mount Marcy, New York

TOP 5 SKI RESORTS for SINGLES
Vail, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado
Mtn Creek Ski Resort, NJ
Winter Park, Colorado
Stowe, Vermont

Source: www.americasbestonline.net

The Right Exercises for Seniors

2012-01-02T11:23:00.001-07:00

By: Mike Myers, SeniorsList.com

Senior fitness requires exercise, but it must be the correct exercise. If seniors exercise incorrectly they can cause great harm. Here are the right exercises for seniors.

There are four basic components of correct exercise for seniors that will lead to healthy living: cardio, strength, flexibility and balance. There is a fifth component which leads to healthy living, even though its not exercise, but it is worth mentioning here. That is a regular diet of the right foods, eating lots of fruits and vegetables with lean meat, grains and dairy.

Cardio Training - For cardio training you need an activity that increases the heart rate. Good exercises that are appropriate for seniors include: walking, swimming and bike riding. Becoming involved in this form of exercise three or more times per week is essential.

Strength Exercise - Strength building exercises are also important for seniors. As we age our muscles slowly begin to decline in their size. The more a muscle is not used the more it will shrink. As a senior it is important to exercise with light weights a few times each week to keep muscles strong.
For weight training, seniors can buy weights at various stores, and the best are those made of rubber because they are less damaging should they be dropped.

Flexibility and Stretching Exercise - For good posture and healthy joints it is important for seniors to undertake a few minutes each day or every other day a regime of stretching exercises. Exercises that involve stretching help keep the body flexible.

Balance Exercises - Finally, it is necessary for seniors to do some sort of balance exercises. This is an area of exercise that is often overlooked, yet very important. Slip and fall accidents are the number one category of injury for the elderly. The reason is because as we age we also lose our sense of balance and become more vulnerable to falling. By doing balance exercises this will help prevent fall accidents.

As with any exercise activity, especially as a senior, it will be critical to consult with your physician first before anything is started. Exercises must be done right and include all four of the mentioned components, if allowable. Take your proposed exercise plan with you to your next appointment!

Happy Holly Days and Merry Christmas!

2011-12-21T13:06:00.003-07:00

FROM ALL OF US

Holiday Sale Success!

2011-12-19T11:19:00.003-07:00

Well Blog Peeps, our sale came and went and we hope you partook and saved yourself some money!

The weather is seasonal here today - a storm has made its way into the Denver Metro area and the snowflakes should start to fall anytime now!

Thank you for your support, dear customers and friends, and we hope to see you again soon! Dont forget that our everyday low prices can save you money too!

Holiday Sale Has Been Extended One Day Only!

2011-12-16T15:22:00.002-07:00

We have decided to extend our Holiday Sale through Saturday, December 17th! We will be open from 9am - 1pm so come on down and enjoy another day of savings!

Only 2 1/2 Days Left for our Holiday Sale!

2011-12-14T13:27:00.002-07:00

Howdy Folks!

We have had an amazing turnout for our Holiday Sale and hope that you dont wait until the last minute to come save 10-20% on lift chairs, 4-wheeled walkers, walker accessories, shoes and scrub pants!

Also we offer Laurel Uniform Gift Certificates in any amount! They make a great gift for the wonderful medical professional, chef, service professional or business owner on your gift list!

Lastly, just a reminder that if you spend $50 or more at Laurel Uniforms, you get a free reusable tote!

Today is the Day Our Holiday Sale Starts!

2011-12-12T09:19:00.003-07:00

Be sure to stop by to save 10%, 15% and 20% on lift chairs, 4-wheeled walkers, walker accessories, shoes and scrub pants!

HURRY! This sale starts today and ends Friday for in-stock, in-store items only while supplies last!

Our Holiday Sale Starts on Monday, Monday, Monday!

2011-12-09T13:35:00.002-07:00

DONT FORGET and we hope to see you at our store for these great deals next week!

T-Minus Five and Counting...

2011-12-07T14:18:00.003-07:00

That's right folks, only 5 more days until our super-amazing Holiday Sale!

Save 10-20% on items that are rarely or never on sale!

Lift chairs, 4-Wheeled Walkers, Walker Accessories, Shoes (yes, including Dansko!) and Scrub Pants are ALL ON SALE NEXT WEEK!

Be sure to mark your calendar so you dont miss this fine event! Hope to see you soon!

Next week we are having our Biggest Sale Ever!

2011-12-05T12:42:00.001-07:00

How to Save for a Vacation

2011-12-01T10:36:00.003-07:00

By: Mrs. G

In this economy, travel or vacations seem to be out of reach for most people. But maybe not. Here are a few ideas to help you earn and save your way to that trip you have been dreaming about!

Make Saving Automatic. Have a specific dollar amount directly deposited from each paycheck into a bank account that is specifically earmarked just for a vacation. Making this an automatic transaction will help to make sure that it doesn't get crowded out by other expenses or expenditures.

Use Credit Cards Wisely. Besides just spending wisely, and paying off your balance each month, make sure that you are using your credit cards to their best advantage. Some cards award frequent flyer miles and provide travel perks, such as reduced fees for checked luggage. But a card that gives cash back can also be useful, and provides more flexibility for spending your rewards. Make as many regular transactions as you can through your credit card and make those earned rewards work for you. Not a fan of credit cards? See if your bank offers a debit card with similar perks.

Save your Savings. Need some motivation to clip coupons and shop the clearance rack? Each time you make a purchase that saves you money, immediately deposit the amount that you saved into your vacation account. Write yourself a check or do a funds transfer. Using just $10 worth of coupons during your weekly grocery run will add over $500 to your vacation budget!

Have a Sale! Clean out your attic, basement, closets and garage and sell unused items. Dedicate all of your sale profits to your vacation fund. Kids may be more willing to part with old toys if they know a trip to Disney World is involved! Try websites like eBay or Craigslist, especially for larger items. Look for resale or consignment shops that will sell unwanted clothing or furniture for you.

Recycle for Money. Collect bottles, cans, plastic, copper, and turn it in for cash. One California mom fulfilled her lifelong dream of a trip to Italy with her husband by collecting everywhere she went, including work.

Change. Several times a week, empty out your pockets or pocketbooks of all coins and put them in a jar. Even a few dollars per week can add up over the
course of a year.

Happy Travels!

Top Ten Customer Favorites

2011-11-30T11:33:00.016-07:00

From Medical Supplies to Uniforms & Apparel, here are our customer favorites!

#10 - Angelic Pet Pins
FOR PET OWNERS - To show your love for your pet.
FOR PET MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS - Wear this pin while assisting beloved pets in their final moments, and then present the pin to the owners to show you care and to show sympathy. Available in dog or cat. Measures 3/4" x 7/8".

#9 - 3 in 1 Universal Commode with Elongated Seat
3 in 1 universal steel commode, elongated seat, with removable back and pail. Elongated seat adds extra depth. Can be used next to the bed, over the toilet as an elevating toilet seat and also a toilet safety frame.

#8 - Koi Lindsey Scrub Pant
Our best-selling scrub pant because they are incredibly comfortable and look great! Try for yourself and you will understand why our customers swear by them. Easy fit, low-rise pant features an adjustable draw-string waist, multi-needle stitching, adjustable hem leg, D-ring, two front pockets, two back pockets, cargo pocket and scissor pocket. Made of 55/45 cotton poly soft twill. 31" Inseam. Available in 25 Colors!

#7 - Sage Toothette Disposable Mint Oral Swabs
Sage Toothette disposable oral swabs with dentifrice allow gentle cleansing of teeth, mouth, and gums. Mint flavored swabs are individually wrapped. Available in bag of 250 or package of 20.

#6 - Scrub Pant, Unisex Drawstring 4100
Casual unisex pant features an adjustable webbed drawstring waist, one back pocket, and a cargo pocket with a cell phone pocket inside. 31" Inseam. Made of soil release poly/cotton poplin. Available in Ceil, Navy, Wine, Pewter, Black, Caribbean, White, Red, Teal Blue, Royal, Galaxy and Hunter.

#5 - Walker Glide Caps
Nova Walker Glide Caps - The perfect add-on to keep your walker gliding smoothly. Fits 1 1/8" outside diameter tube and all Nova standard walkers. Sold by the pair.

#4 - Apron, 3 Pocket Bib F10
Our most popular style bib apron! Features three divisional pouch pockets and a two piece slider neck adjustment.. Made of 65/35 poly cotton twill 7.5oz fabric. One size. Measures 24"L x 28"W. Available in Black, Burgundy, Hunter Green, Kelly Green, Khaki, Medium Green, Midnight Blue, Navy, Red, Royal Blue and White. Larger sizes and designer colors available - call for pricing.

#3 - Refillable Ice Pack with Ties
Makes coldtherapy easy! Clamp closure makes it easy to refill the ice bags for repeated use. Three-layer design protects the skin while keeping the moisture in the bag. Soft outer cover, absorbent middle layer and film inner layer. Use your own ice. 4 ties, bag measures 6 1/2" x 14". Sold by the each.

#2 - Classic Baggy Chef Pant 4005C
This classic baggy chef pant is made with 100% premium cotton twill. Features 2" elastic waist with a brass zipper, 2 large front pockets and one rear pocket. 7.5oz. Availabe in black or yarn dyed houndstooth and chalk stripe.

#1 - Medicine Cups
Disposable plastic graduated medicine cups are suitable for liquid or dry medications, as well as many household and industrial uses. Gardners use them for seedling starters! Each 1oz. cup is graduated in 1/8 oz, drams, CC, ML, and tsp/tbs increments. Sold by the sleeve, 100 cups per sleeve. Available in cases of 50 sleeves.

Avoiding Holiday Crowds

2011-11-28T13:06:00.003-07:00

Yes, I know. December is the busiest month of the year for most people, but its also the month where people gain the most weight (on average 5-8 pounds)!

I don't know about you, but I really dislike crowds. And December is the worst with everybody and their brother at the malls and monster box stores.

I have figured out that if I try and finish my holiday shopping earlier in the season, I can avoid the holiday crowds at the mall AND at the gym. Starting around early November and all through December, the gyms and recreation centers are basically empty. This means that I can use any cardio machine, all of the weights and tracks are at my disposal and the gym-rats are much less intimidating.

Plus, I can indulge in those holiday treats and get through the season without the added bulge!

Top 10 Alternative Dinners for Turkey Day

2011-11-22T12:05:00.004-07:00

10. Lasagne
Who doesnt love the cheesy, cozy, warm and wonderful Italian feast that is lasagne?

9. Stuffed Pork Chops
For meat lovers, this is a great "other white meat" option. If only I could figure out how to keep it moist?

8. Taco Bar
Why not lay out a whole smorgasborg of Mexican type ingredients so everyone is happy and stuffed at the end of the feast?

7. Roasted Chicken
But then, if you go through the hassle, why not just do a turkey? It tastes like chicken!

6. Cornish Hen
Because everyone can have their own miniature turkey!

5. Tofu Turkey
We are only about 15 miles from Boulder. This is an ode to our neighbors.

4. Steak
Personally, I would rank this at number one, but I realize that I am a true carnivore. Some people are not.

3. Goose
There are still people who hunt their Thanksgiving dinner these days!

2. Ham
Our family actually has ham at Christmas since we have turkey at Thanksgiving. Yes, we like to shake things up a bit.

1. Lobster
For the non-red meat eaters, and those on the east coast, and probably the west coast, this one is for you! Plus there is something special about lobster compared to any other shellfish.

What is your favorite non-turkey, Turkey Day dinner?

Fun, Spirited Scrubs with Holiday Prints!

2011-11-17T09:59:00.013-07:00

We have new scrubs with HOLIDAY PRINTS!
Stock up and show your holiday spirit this season with these fun new scrubs!

V-Neck top in Happy Snowman - $15.49

V-Neck top with Winter Pals - $24.49

Mock Wrap top with Cocoa Penguins - $14.00

Snap-Front in Festive Swirl - $14.00

Click to Shop All of Our Holiday Prints!

Want to Live Longer?

2011-11-14T11:38:00.003-07:00

UOAA UPDATE 11/09 Mercer County, via Metro MD

Want to live longer? Then go out and mingle, mingle, mingle.

A recent community health study reveals that socially active people lived longer than their quieter neighbors. Reported in the American Journal of Epidermiology, the study took into account such variables as cholesterol, drinking and height-to-weight ratio, as well as others, such as smoking, which could be expected to have an effect on longevity.
For men, passive solitary leisure activities such as television viewing and reading were "positively associated with mortality." Frequent social contact with other people substantially lowered the risks of dying in the 12 years the study has been in existence.
For women, the association between solitary leisure activities and the risk of dying was even more positively associated. Marital status for women was less significant than for men in the study.

Nursing During The Great Depression

2011-11-11T14:28:00.002-07:00

by Scrubs • November 7, 2011

What was it like to be a nurse in the Great Depression? There’s plenty of historical information available about what was going on in the industry as a whole…but what most of us really want to know is the answer to questions such as “What was it like to be a nurse back then? What motivated people to choose this profession? What do I have in common with the nurses who came before me?”

Let’s take a look at the big-picture facts and hear some personal anecdotes from nurses who were just graduating from nursing school at the time.

The New Nursing Profession Suffers a Blow
The decade of the Great Depression came at a critical time in the history of nursing. The concept of educating nurses as healthcare professionals had just begun to catch on. Nursing schools with high-quality programs were becoming established. For the first time in U.S. history, being a nurse was seen as a respectable career path for women.

Hazel Joy, RN: “People sort of looked up to nurses. You had to study for three years—intense study, really. I was always proud to be a nurse and I think all of us were at that time.”

On the public health front, malnutrition, overcrowding, poor sanitation and other side effects of extreme poverty caused by the sudden economic decline took an enormous toll on human health. However, the rise in the number of people seeking hospital care didn’t lead to the creation of more nursing jobs. In fact, many hospitals and nursing schools closed due to lack of funding.

Results of Widespread Unemployment
Hospitals instituted entirely new rules for scheduling. Previously, most nurses were expected to work at least 12 hours a day, six or seven days a week (sound familiar?). Now, hours were cut back to eight hours a day, with no more than 48 hours in a week. This policy change allowed more nurses to be employed. General duty staffing became the norm. But some staff did still serve as private duty nurses, caring for just one patient at a time. With funding low, nurses often had to use whatever equipment was available to help patients pull through. Just like today, seeing a patient get well was the best reward.

Ida Carthel, RN: “I did private duty nursing for a two-year-old child, a beautiful little girl from a nearby town. A rattlesnake had bitten her several times on her legs. We had to stay with her because she was delirious. You know how you’ve heard they do these ‘X’ marks to suck the venom out of the patient’s flesh? We used breast pumps for that and it worked. You call that improvising, and we did! She recovered…she was such a doll.”

Low Wages and Restrictive Working Conditions Prevail
The pay wasn’t great (some hospitals had to cut salaries or stop paying altogether for a time), but the work was steady and offered some stability. Of course, just like now, a paycheck was only a temporary incentive. It wasn’t enough to make a person stay in the profession if they weren’t cut out for it.

Hazel Joy, RN: “Yes, it was a job at first, a way to make a living, and then as time went on, you had to like it. And you had to have some input into what was going on, and you had to feel a part of the team in order to get some satisfaction out of the job.”

In a time when few men or women could find a job at all, many young unmarried women still saw going to nursing school as a way out of poverty and insurance for their future. They just had to stay single or they would be kicked out! These thrifty women learned to live on very little as they pursued their dream.

Irma Earngey, RN: “I know that some nurses worked in some hospitals in Fort Worth, [Texas], in the 1930s for room and board and maybe $15 a month. I know that is hard to believe, but remember you could buy a pair of shoes for $2 and you could get a dress for $2 or $3. There wasn’t much money, but it went a long way.”

Nursing Shortages Arise
During the mid-1930s, the situation eased a little. But by this time, the general lack of support for the nursing profession had already created a big problem. There weren’t enough well-trained nurses to go around. This issue took decades (and lots of government educational funding) to fix. Yes, nursing shortages are nothing new. Fortunately, there have always been those who feel the calling to the healing profession too strongly to ignore.

Cleatis Treese, RN: “I think all my life I wanted to be a nurse. Mother said I never had a baby doll that was well. It either had a fracture or something had to be bandaged. So all my life I wanted to be a nurse. There was just never any doubt. Now my father was an invalid and he pushed me too, you know. He thought nurses were just the thing. And then I was a Lutheran, and so my minister just thought he would like to have one of his people go to the Lankenau Hospital [in Pennsylvania] to be a nurse. It just all fit in.”

Quotes derived from The Lived Experience of Registered Nurses, 1930-1950: A Phenomenological Study by Beverly Knowles Byers, BSN, MS, MSN

Better Living Corner: Bariatric Equipment

2011-11-09T11:00:00.007-07:00

"My father needs bariatric equipment. Do you carry any?"

Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity. - Wikipedia

Bariatric equipment is typically designed for those who are 300 or more pounds in weight. And yes, we do carry bariatric equipment! Here are just a few:

Bath Bench with aluminum anodized fram and havey duty blow molded seat. Adjustable from 17"-19" height and measures 17"W x 16"D. 500lb capacity. NO9013 $48.08

Mini Mack Walker with oversized padded seat, 8" solid tires, adjustable handle from 30"=34.5", measures 17"x12.5". 400lb capacity. NO4215 $226.79

22" Transport Chair is lightweight, heavy duty and extra wide with desk arms. 22" Padded seat, 12" solid rear wheels. 400lb capacity. NO332R $290.74

How to Be Kind

2011-11-04T13:46:00.004-06:00

Did you know www.WikiHow.com actually gives instructions on HOW to be KIND?

STEP ONE:
Understand what kindness is and is not. At its most basic, kindness is about caring genuinely for others around you, wanting the best for them, and recognizing in them the same wants, needs, aspirations, and even fears that you have too. Kindness is warm, resilient, patient, trusting, loyal, and grateful. Piero Ferrucci sees kindness as being about "making less effort" because it frees us from getting knotted up in negative attitudes and feelings such as resentment, jealousy, suspicion, and manipulation. Ultimately, kindness is deep caring for all beings.

STEP TWO
Be kind to yourself. Many people make the error of trying to be kind to others while not focusing on being kind to themselves. Some of this can stem from not liking aspects of yourself, but more often than not, it's sourced in the inability to know yourself better. And unfortunately, when you don't feel rock solid within yourself, your kindness to others risks falling into the deluded types of kindness described in the previous step. Or, it can lead to burn-out and disillusionment because you've put everyone else first. Self-knowledge allows you to see what causes you pain and conflict, and enables you to embrace your contradictions and inconsistencies. Self-knowledge allows the space to work on things about yourself that you're not happy with. In turn, self-knowledge helps to prevent you from projecting your negative aspects onto other people, thereby empowering you to treat other people with love and kindness.

STEP THREE
Be present. The greatest gift of kindness to another person is to be in the moment in their presence, to be listening with care, and to be genuinely attentive to them.

STEP FOUR
Be happy, joyful, and grateful. These emotions rest at the heart of kindness, allowing you to see the good in others and the world, enabling you to press through the challenges, despair, and cruelty you witness and experience, continuously restoring your sense of faith in humanity. Maintaining an optimistic attitude ensures that acts of kindness are committed with genuine joy and cheerfulness rather than with reluctance or out of a sense of duty or service. And keeping your sense of humor ensures that you don't take yourself too seriously and take life's contradictory and contrary moments with good faith.

STEP FIVE
Reflect on the kindness of other people. Think about the truly kind people in your life and how they make you feel. Do you carry their warm glow around in your heart every time you think of them? It is likely that you do because kindness lingers, warming you even when the hardest challenges face you. When other people find a way to love you for who you are, it's impossible to forget such trust and confirmation of worthiness, and their kindness lives on forever.

STEP SIX
Cultivate kindness for the good of your own health. Improved psychological health and happiness comes from thinking more positively, and kindness is a positive mental state. While kindness is about giving and being open to others, giving kindness returns a sense of well-being and connectedness to us that improves our own mental state and health.

STEP SEVEN
Practice the kindness effect. Stephanie Dowrick recommends that we practice what she calls the "kindness effect". She says that this requires us to allow ourselves the freedom to be kind for the sake of other people and for ourselves. In reaching to others, she confirms that it's impossible to be kind to others without this kindness also reflecting back on ourselves, increasing our connection with the world, and decreasing our personal problems.

STEP EIGHT
Expand your circle of kindness. It can be very easy to be kind when we're unconsciously doing what Stephanie Dowrick terms "patronizing kindness". This refers to kindness given to those people we feel are truly in need (the sick, the poor, the vulnerable, and those who align with our own ideals). Being kind to people close to us, emotionally (like family or friends) or in other ways (from the same country, of the same color, gender etc.), is also easier than being kind to those the philosopher Hegel called "the other". The trouble with curtailing it to "convenient" cases is that we fail to recognize that we need to be kind to everyone, no matter who they are, their level of wealth or fortune, their values and beliefs, their behavior and attitudes, their place of origin, their likeness to ourselves, etc. By choosing to be kind only to those we feel are deserving of kindness, we are unleashing our own biases and judgment, and only practicing conditional kindness. Real kindness encompasses all beings and while the challenges you'll face when trying to put this broader notion of kindness into practice will sometimes be trying, you'll never stop learning about the depths of your ability to be truly kind.

STEP NINE
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle". Attributed to Plato, this saying is a recognition that everyone is undergoing some challenge or other in their lives and that sometimes, it's all too easy for us to lose sight of that when embroiled in our own problems or anger against them. Before committing an action that might impact another person negatively, ask yourself a simple question: "Is this kind?". If you cannot answer this in the affirmative, this is a reminder to change your action and approach immediately.

STEP TEN“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” These are the words once said by Princess Diana. The practice of random acts of kindness is alive and well as a conscious effort to spread more kindness; there are even groups that have established themselves to perform this essential civic duty!

STEP ELEVEN
Be polite. Although being polite is not an indication of kindness in itself, genuine politeness demonstrates your respect for those you're interacting with. Being polite is the kind way of getting people's attention and putting your point across.

STEP TWELVE
Show kindness through loving animals and the living world. Loving animals and caring for pets is kindness in action. Nothing compels you to care about beings of another species, especially in a day and age where the tools of human domination are so powerful. And yet, the very act of loving an animal and respecting the animal for its own value is an expression of deep kindness. As well, being kind to the world that sustains and nurtures us is sensible as well as kind, ensuring that we don't poison the very elements that assure us a healthy life.

STEP THIRTEEN
Transform your life. Changing how you live and how you view the world might seem daunting. But take a note of Aldous Huxley's prescription for transforming your life: "People often ask me what is the most effective technique for transforming their life. It is a little embarrassing that after years and years of research and experimentation, I have to say that the best answer is–just be a little kinder." Take Huxley's many years of research to heart and allow kindness to transform your life, to transcend all feelings and actions of aggression, hate, despising, anger, fear, and self-deprecation, and to restore strength worn away by despair.

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Kind

Learn Something New Everyday

2011-11-01T08:53:00.004-06:00

Most people learn how to do a few things very well in the course of their lifetime. We become experts at several things, usually tied to our jobs, or our way of life. Then, as we grow older and retire, we may pick up a new hobby or interest and become experts at those things in later years.

But, have you thought about simply learning something new, something simple, each and every day? With the internet, taking just ten minutes to learn something new is just a click away!

MonkeySee.com is a watch, learn and discover website where you watch videos, created by experts, of the topic you wish to learn about. Most of the videos are relatively short, so learning something new is quick and easy. MonkeySee categories include Auto & Mechanical, Electronics & Gadgets, Hobbies & Crafts, Home & Garden, Careers & Education, Food & Drink, Safety, Travel and much more! Visit www.monkeysee.com to sign up.

iMinds.com allows people to learn new things from a credible source while on the go. They publish original, short audio podcasts about liberal arts topics (history, economics, current events, business) that are approximately 8 minutes in length. They are available via iTunes or Audible.com for $.99 each, or longer, multi-track lessons are sold for $3.99 to $24.99 (for 6 tracks, up to 72 tracks). Visit www.iMinds.com for more information.

TheWeek.com is a weekly current events magazine that summarizes the news of the previous week. They draw on a variety of sources to present a short, but balanced overview of issues, and if you want to dig deeper, they provide links to original sources. The Week provides a great way for busy readers to learn about current evens. Visit www.theweek.com for more information.

Curious about how the heart works, or how far the pitchers mound is in baseball? Visit www.HowStuffWorks.com. From the makers of The Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, this site provides information clearly and in layman’s terms.

Want something simple and quick? Go to www.wikipedia.org and click on “Random Article” on the left hand side. Wikipedia is a free, online encyclopedia that anyone can edit and contribute information to. While the articles can be interesting, double checking references listed at the end of each article is a good idea.

Source: http://mashable.com/2009/09/24/learning-resources/

Better Living Corner: I want to continue to live alone

2011-10-28T10:56:00.003-06:00

"I want to live alone, but want an affordable home safety system that can help me if I am unable to get to the phone and dial 911."

We have two pendant systems to choose from that will allow you to live alone, yet give you the peace of mind in the event you are disabled and cannot help yourself.

Both of our systems require you to wear a pendant at all times, and both can call 911 at the simple push of a button, no matter where you are in your home. These systems require NO monthly fee, the only expense is the initial purchase. Both are water resistant and easy to setup!

Guardian Alert 911 allows you to speak directly through the pendant to a 911 operator. LO30911 - $159.07

Freedom Alert allows you to speak directly through the pendant to four different phone numbers. Call family, friends, neighbors and of course a 911 operator. This sytems allows you call someone other than emergency services if your issue is not life-threatening. LO35911 - $270.93

"Why Don't You Take Medicare/Medicaid?"

2011-10-24T10:47:00.006-06:00

As a medical supply provider, we get asked the question "Why don't you take Medicare/Medicaid?".

A little over two years ago, we made the very difficult decision to exit our relationship with CMS, or Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which is the US federal agency which administers Medicare, Medicaid. At that time, in an effort to reduce fraud, CMS was requiring providers to become "Accredited", which is a very lengthy and expensive process. For larger chain providers, this was not as big of an issue, but for mom-n-pop shops such as ourselves, this was a daunting task.

Couple the accreditation requirements adding substantial overhead, with the already low reimbursement rates, and it simply no longer made business sense.

As the years have come and gone, the government has added competitive bidding to the requirments for some areas of the nation. In an effort to reduce spending by streamlining vendors and subsequent billing, suppliers - and by suppliers we mean BIG suppliers - have to submit and win a bid to supply certain areas of consumers with DME products that are paid for by the government. Again, this was an issue for mom-n-pop shops and we were simply squeezed out because of the format provided to those that wanted to submit a bid.

Just last week, HME News, the business newspaper for the home medical equipment provders, discovered that accredited providers were potentially having to go through the accreditation process all over again. Why? Because, "WellPoint, a health plan that owns and administers Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in 14 states, has notified providers in Georgia that to remain part of its network, they must be accredited by one of only three accreditation agencies by March 1, 2012."*

This is a huge blow for two reasons.

For one, CMS gave a list of ten accreditation agencies for providers to obtain accreditation from. This means that if a provider chose one that is NOT one of the three WellPoint has approved, a provider has to switch accreditation agencies. It is unknown what that process entails, since nobody anticipated any reason to have to switch. And as stated previously, this is a very lengthy and expensive process, especially for a small mom-n-pop shop.

Second, WellPoint has only notified Georgia providers, but their industry stakeholders say that this is a "national policy". If they successfully make this a national policy, it opens the door for other healthcare plans to require suppliers to change their accreditations as well.

How does this effect you, the consumer? Several ways, actually. If you enjoy buying your Medicare/Medicaid products locally, these requirements will ensure that mom-n-pop shops can no longer provide them. Most smaller suppliers are interested in providing quality over quantity, which means lesser quality products will be the only option for Medicare/Medicaid recipients. Also, it is widely known in the industry that one of the biggest issues with these changes is service. If your wheelchair malfunctions, service and repairs will be very difficult to find.

Accusations that corporations are making money hand over fist is false. Several of our local competitors have closed their doors in the past few years. In this economy with these requirments, its survival of the biggest corporation, not survival of the fittest (or best). And unfortunately, we feel its the consumers that will suffer.

*HME News, November 2011, Accreditation: Medicare's requirement not foolproof by Liz Beaulieu

Haunted Houses for Sale!

2011-10-18T14:20:00.003-06:00

Here is a little Halloween fun for those with deep pockets and a love of being scared!

The LaLaurie Mansion, New Orleans, LA
Set for Auction November 12th!
Said to be one of the most haunted homes in NOLA, this home is owned by actor, Nicolas Cage, who never sleeps there, but occasionally has dinner parties. Originally built for French royalty, this mansion’s ghost stories start in the 1830’s with the LaLaurie family and their sadistic slave abuse. Appearing to be upstanding socialites, neighbors started to whisper about how the maids and stable boys would be replaced frequently, and then never seen again! Ghost stories and sightings such as seeing shackled servants roaming the halls, started almost as soon as the LaLauries fled the city.

The Pickfair Estate, Beverly Hills, CA
Asking only $60 Million!
Originally built as a hunting cabin in the 1920’s for silent film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, this Hollywood home is said to have a resident ghost, even though the original home is no longer standing. The cabin was transformed into a 22 room mansion, and when the couple divorced in 1936, Pickford remained in the home until her death in 1979. In 1988, Israeli businessman Meshulam Reklis tore the mansion down and built the property as it stands today. Legend says Pickford’s ghost pops up waiting to reconcile with Fairbanks, also spotted on the property.

Howsham Hall, York, North Yorkshire
Asking $9.84 Million!
This home in England is more than 400 years old and features 7 beautifully restored bedrooms and over 80 acres of rolling land. But, according to local lore, the house has a so-called curse, known as the “Curse of Kirkham”. When Sir William Bamburgh built the hall in 1610, he used wood and stone from Kirkham Priory, a destroyed religious community. Considered sacrilege by many, a curse was said to have been put on Howsham Hall and its owners: All male heirs will perish, and the owner’s family will never be happy. Are you willing to risk living in a cursed home?

Source: http://www.frontdoor.com/buy/surreal-estate-6-spooky-homes-for-sale

A nurse’s subconscious mind

2011-10-17T15:16:00.003-06:00

by Sean Dent • September 1, 2011

There are just some things non-nursing folks will never understand. It’s not a ‘knock’ against those who are not a nurse, really it’s not. What I’m talking about is how your brain gets ‘re-wired’ once you become a nurse. I don’t know if it happened overnight? Maybe it happened gradually over the past half decade? What I do know is my mind thinks and processes things SO differently than it did prior to being a nurse. I wonder… am I brainwashed??

Here’s what being a nurse can do to the mind!

* At the restaurant, we silently hope that the person choking at the table next to us doesn’t need assistance – yet, if they do, we’ll be the first to run to their side.

* Walking through the fog of a public ‘smokers break area,’ we all want to reach out and smack you. Do you want to die breathing through a tube?

* While phlegm doesn’t normally bother (most) of us at work, the sight or sound of you hacking up a lung in public really does bother us. Especially when you don’t cover your mouth!!!

* Public restrooms. Yes – there is nothing sanitary about them most of the time. What we can’t stand is witnessing someone use these facilities and then walk out without washing their hands! (How am I supposed to pull the door open and exit the bathroom without contaminating my hand??)

* For some strange reason, we can never look at another person’s arms the same ever again. Every time we see a good vein? Yep, you guessed it. We think to ourselves, “Wow! I could start a #16 gauge needle in there!” Sorry.

* We continue to micro-analyze anything on TV or in the theater that has a shred of health care related activities. “Oh yeah, THAT would happen,” has echoed through our minds one too many times.

* To this very day, I think we all have been cursed with measurements. We subconsciously measure how much we’ve urinated, how many CC’s of fluid we drank and, of course, how many carbs were in our meals.

* While on vacation – no matter the geographic location – we somehow ‘notate’ and remember where the closest emergency room and hospital are located.

* I’m not sure if it’s just a nursing thing, I think paramedics share this curse, too. We carry a spare set of scrubs stored in our vehicles, along with old ‘not in use’ equipment like stethoscopes, pen lights and scissors.

* We shake our heads at those wonderful ‘blood pressure screening stations’ located throughout the supermarkets and discount stores. Ahahaha! I think we are more troubled by the fact that the public believe these measurements to be accurate.

* We still (often) forget that it’s not common practice to talk about blood, bodily functions and bodily fluids as a discussion topic during a meal. Again, sorry.

* Yes, we find humor in the most disgusting and disturbing things sometimes (OK, all the time). I’d like to think it’s our defense mechanism for making sure we don’t drive ourselves crazy and burn out.

This just scrapes the surface of what goes on behind the doors of our minds. I continue to convince myself that I’m not brainwashed, but that I have been trained and educated to always ‘be prepared’. I have to admit though, sometimes you have to wonder…

(That was a joke folks)

Fall 2011 New Arrivals - Cherokee & Dickies

2011-10-12T09:28:00.007-06:00

Oh these are so wonderful! You have GOT to come check these out!

We have brought in the new Dickies solid line, Youtility. There are three top styles, mock wrap, v-neck and a three button v-neck. The pant is very versatile and all of them have great detail! These are not your average solid scrubs!

Priced from $26.49 to $32.99.

Click HERE to shop Dickies Youtility and other Dickies items.

And here is just a preview of our New Fall Arrivals:

Click HERE to shop all of our new fall arrivals now!

Life in the Blogsphere

2011-10-07T14:22:00.003-06:00

As a blogger, there are a handfull of other bloggers that I follow - not many, just a handful. I only know one of the bloggers personally, so the others are basically strangers to me and they are randomly spaced out across the United States.

I follow other bloggers because they provide inspiration to me, for this blog. Most all of them are wonderful writers. Some are funny, some are political and some are just living life and documenting via their blogs, as a source of emotional outlet.

This blog mainly serves as a business outlet, with a little bit of interesting and personal stuff on the side. Nobody really likes all business, do they?

Our blog was "quiet" this week because I was out of the office for a few days - my husband had to have an apendectomy. They are fairly routine now, with new removal methods he literally went to work the day after his hospital discharge, for a few hours. While this turned out to be a bump in the road, it made me reflect, appreciate and be grateful for our life as it is. This medical scare turned out ok. Whew.

One blogger I follow had a baby last week. Her life has certainly changed in a big way! Her writing is amazing, even when she is very sleep deprived. I am happy for her and even though I dont know her, I wish her well.

Another blogger I follow suddenly and heartbreakingly lost her 28 year old son. I follow her because she is retired and talks about life as a senior citizen. Her son was engaged, working a good job, settling down and living life as most Americans do. Then one night, he got in an altercation and a single punch to the face ended his life.

Life can change in an instant. It can provide happiness. It can give you a bump in the road. It can alter you and your life in an instant.

Reverse Mortgages for Seniors

2011-09-30T14:40:00.001-06:00

Reverse mortgages are becoming more popular in America, for senior homeowners.

HUD, via FHA, offers The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) which enables a homeowner to withdraw some equity from their home. The funds can we withdrawn with a fixed monthly amount or a line of credit, or both. So, if you need a monthly source of income, or a larger one-time amount to do home improvement, you have several options to choose from.

To borrow with HECM, you must be 62 years of age or older, own your property outright or have a small mortgage balance, occupy the property as your principal residence, not be delinquent on any federal debt, and participate in a consumer information session given by an approved HECM counselor.

The amount you can borrow depends on 1) the age of the youngest borrower, 2) current interest rate, 3) lesser of the appraised value of your home or the HECM FHA mortgage limit for your area or the sales price and the initial Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) option you choose. Basically, the more valuable your home is, the older you are and the lower the interest rate, the more you can borrow.

Unlike ordinary home equity loans, FHA reverse mortgage HECM does not require repayment as long as the home is your principal residence and the obligations of the mortgage are met. Lenders recover their principal, plus interest, when the home is sold. The remaining value of the home goes to you or your heirs.

If the sales proceeds are insufficient to pay the amount owed, FHA will pay the lender the amount of the shortfall. FHA collects an insurance premium form all borrowers to provide this coverage.

Of course as with all loans, there is a cost associated with the loan, and those can be rolled into the mortgage.

Many companies offer reverse mortgages, which means there are also scammers trying to steal hard earned money. HUD offers a Lender List that can help you to find a viable reverse mortgage lender. Also, if you or a anyone you know is a victim of homeownership fraud, contact HUD.

HUD Homeownership Center & FHA Resource Center can be reached at info@fhaoutreach.com or call 800-225-5342.

Source: http://www.hud.gov/buying/rvrsmort.cfm

OSTOMY: Some Good Ideas From Here and There

2011-09-27T11:40:00.003-06:00

Via Fox Valley Ostomy News and Ostomy Association of Metro Denver, Inc.

Avoid "vacuum lock" in your pouch by keeping a little air in it. This is a big reason that people with new ostomies have "leaks". This is especially true for the urostomates when hooking up to your night drainage bag. Always be sure to leave a little urine in your day-bag as a "prime" for the night drainage bag.

Parsley is an excellent natural internal deodorant, therefore eat some parsley.

If you want medicines to work quickly, drown them. They dissolve and absorb faster with plenty of water to wash them down.

Vitamins should be taken on a full stomach; otherwise, they irritate the lining of the stomach and produce the sensation of being full.

Never wait until you have used your last pouching system before ordering a new supply. Always keep a list of your supplies with you on a small piece of paper complete with order numbers, size and manufacturers.

Don't be afraid to try something new, you may find something better than you are presently using.

Of course if you ever have questions about your ostomy products, or if you want to know about NEW products, our customer service experts are happy to help!

Fall is Here!

2011-09-26T13:14:00.003-06:00

Look closely and you will see the spider web this fuzzy little-big guy created between our two patio chairs! I swear he/she curled up into a little ball thinking "she cant see me if I do this".

Its that time of year when spiders and creepy crawly things like to come inside for the winter. I want to note that this weekend I went and bought some of that home-defense insect barrier stuff. The little-big guy is more than welcome to live in my yard, and even on patio, but come in my house and, well, you wont live to tell about it, my friend.

Happy Autumn, everyone!

Adult Day Care & Respite Care

2011-09-15T13:48:00.002-06:00

Adult day care normally offers organized daily activities in a community-based setting along with personal care services.

Adult day cares and respite centers are designed to provide social stimulation and health services to seniors who require supervised care. Caregivers often utilize them to take respite from their normal care-giving responsibilities. Adult day cares usually offer transportation to and from the center, social activities, meals and snacks, and assistance with activities of daily living. Centers typically operate during normal business hours and are open five days a week.

The cost of an adult day care such as Seniors' Resource Center Adult Day & Respite Services in Denver, CO, usually ranges between $25 and $100 per day.

To find a location near you, visit www.caring.com

Not All Incontinence Products are Created Equal

2011-09-09T09:31:00.005-06:00

Not all incontinence products are created equal, so we have tried to always carry the most economical, yet effective products on the market!

Here is a basic rundown of personal incontinence products:

Adult Diapers with Tapes or Hooks are similar to diapers for infants and provide the best coverage and absorbancy. They have tape or hook fasteners on the sides to provide a more custom fit. These are best for heavier incontinence in a more active person, or for those who are less mobile or bed-ridden.

Adult Pull Up Diapers are more like regular underwear, providing dignity and discretion. These can be used for moderate to heavy protection.

Pads and Liners are absorbent pads usually with an adhesive strip that you attach to your regular underwear. These are for light to moderate urinary incontinence.

Pants are either reusable or disposable and are designed to hold your pads or liners in place, or can provide additional waterproof protection.

Cleansing Products are an integral part of keeping skin healthy, so be sure to keep them on hand! From creams, ointments, wipes and more, we have it all.

We usually have free in-store samples, so stop by today and we will be happy you find the right product!

Shop for Incontinence Products Here

Labor Day Checklist

2011-09-06T14:55:00.003-06:00

Here is my Labor Day weekend checklist:

Had an extra day off from work - check! Labor day is one of the rare weekends that our stores are closed!

Moved furniture - check!

Did some yard work - check!

Slept in - check!

Did some shopping - check!

Visited with friends - check!

Had a nice meal - check and check! (we had not one, but two!)

Spent some time with family - check!

Enjoyed the weather before it gets chilly - check!

Watched a movie - check! (The Bourne Identity for about the 5th time!)

What did you do over Labor Day weekend?

Labor Day

2011-09-02T15:16:00.002-06:00

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

Source: http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm

Never Too Old to Find New Friends

2011-09-01T11:59:00.002-06:00

By: Mary Mohler, From AARP
April 1, 2011

Now that you’ve reached a new stage of life, and maybe have relocated or retired, making new acquaintances can be a little trickier.

Not only do you have fewer opportunities to meet new people, but “there’s also a little more resistance to forming new relationships later in life, and your skills can get a bit rusty,” says Marla Paul, author of The Friendship Crisis: Finding, Making and Keeping Friends When You’re Not a Kid Anymore.

Still, it’s important to make the effort. Close relationships with others are vital to your health - physical, mental and emotional - your self-esteem and even your longevity, according to recent research. So if watching Grey’s Anatomy is the highlight of your week, or you find yourself enthusiastically chatting with telemarketers, you probably need to make some new connections. Here are a few things that can help you.

1. Get over the idea that everybody else your age already has all the friends they need. There are a lot of people out there in the same boat.

2. Accept Invitations. Just getting out increases the chances of meeting new people - and friends are sometimes found in unlikely places.

3. Many colleges allow older adults to audit regular classes for free, and some have programs specifically for seniors.

4. Senior centers have a variety of classes, activities and even trips. Stop by and ask for a schedule.

5. Take a part time job, even for just a few hours a week. It will expose you to new people and give you a little extra money.

6. Pursue your interests and attend consistently so that you build relationships naturally.

7. Set up a page on Facebook to connect with old friends and friends of friends.

8. Invite a few of your neighbors for dinner. Cook if you like to, or organize a potluck, if you don't.

9. Get a dog and you will be surprised how conversations develop while on walks.

10. Work out at a nearby gym and join a class so you see the same people every week.

11. Don’t put too much pressure on a new friendship because it can scare people away.

12. Churches often make a point of welcoming newbies and introducing them around.

13. Volunteer in your community. Try createthegood.org or volunteersofamerica.org.

14. Be willing to take a risk. When you meet someone you like, take the initiative and ask for an email address or phone number.

Introducing Our Newest Catalog: Wound Care Supplies

2011-08-30T12:35:00.004-06:00

Request your FREE copy today (email customer.service@mvms.com, or call 800-873-7121) and you can see all of the goodies inside for yourself!

There are 12 wonderful, product filled categories to peruse. All of which can also be found on our website, www.mvmsinc.com.

Here is what you will find in our handy catalog:

Abdominal Pads and Gauze & Drain Sponges

Conforming Bandages & Gauze Rolls

Impregnated Gauze and Packing strips and Applicators

Self Adherent Wraps & Elastic Bandages

Tape & Dressing Retention

Island Dressings

Advanced Wound Care

Gloves, Surface Wipes & Sanitizers

Unna Boots

Bed-Ridden Products

Cleansers, Skin Creams & Ointments

Miscellaneous Wound Supplies

As you can see, there are tons of products to choose from to help heal most any kind of wound!

Folding Walkers

2011-08-23T11:33:00.011-06:00

Any Denverite that is a Colorado Rockies baseball fan can relate to this little tidbit of information: Whenever I see the words "Folding Walkers" I can hear the announcer at Coors Field Baseball stadium announcing Larry Walker. It goes something like this; LaaarrrRRrryyyyy WaalKKeeerrrrrr! (emphasis on the K in Walker).

So I think you will enjoy our line of FollDinnnnngg WaalKKeeerrrrrrrs and accessories!

This Nova lightweight aluminium walker has 5" wheels and folds for easy storage and transportation. Also available in blue! Item #NO4090DW5 - $73.33 to $84.09

This Guardian lightweight aluminium walker weighs only 6.4 pounds, and folds to 3 3/4 inches for easy storage and transportation. Available in adult or youth sizes. Item #GU3075XP - $59.80

Nova Walker Ski Glides are the perfect add-on to keep your walker gliding smoothly. Fits 1 1/8" outside diameter tube and all Nova standard walkers. Item #NO40027GR - $15.71

These fun Nova Saddlebags attach to all walkers (folding or wheeled) and wheelchairs (transport or standard). When not attached to your mobility device, it can also be used as an over the shoulder bag!
Keep your belongings hidden in the roomy zippered main pouch and use the pockets for easy access to keys, phones or other smaller items. Saddlebags also feature a slot for proudly displaying pictures. Made of 100% cotton. Available in butterfly, cats, dog, black or metropolitan fabrics. Item #NO4002AP - $26.00

Heavy duty molded rubber tip flexes for cushioning and shock absorption, reinforced with metal disc insert for longer wear and special non-skid tread on bottom. Sold by box of 4, fits standard 1 1/8" walker foot extension tube. Item #GU1212 - $5.51

Of course we offer a Full Line of Walker Accessories, so click to shop now!

Back to School

2011-08-19T09:51:00.008-06:00

Most of us here at Mountain View Medical Supply / Laurel Uniforms have children going back to school this week or next week.

Its funny that at the end of the school year, we are all relieved to have a bit of free time, but by the end of summer, we are ready to get the kids back in school to relieve the fighting and the boredom. I think maybe the schools that have a track schedule, 6-9 weeks of school and then 1-3 weeks off, going year round, have something going for them! Although as a kid, I enjoyed the traditional schedule with my summers off along with Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays off, plus a week for spring break.

Anyway, our local college kids are headed back to school as well, and as we know, some are headed to nursing school!

Here are a few back to school items for student nurses:

Koi 172 Lily top in White or Colors - #LUKO172 - $24.99

Cherokee Dickies 82724 in Butterfly - #LUCH82724 - $26.49

Cherokee 4777 Economy Scrub Top - #LUCH4777 Starting at $11.99

Cherokee 4100 Economy Scrub Pant - #LUCH4100 Starting at $12.99

We also have a full line of diagnostic equipment such as protective eyewear, BP monitors and stethoscopes!

End of Summer Project

2011-08-17T07:42:00.005-06:00

The end of summer is near. And I am not ready! I find myself pausing to listen to crickets chirp at night, watching the sun set more often and basking in the warmth of the season, knowing a chill will soon be here.

In an effort to prolong, and simply enjoy the rest of the summer season, I have decided to get outside and do something every day for the rest of August and all of September. I am going to squeeze every last ounce out of summer that I can!

I captured this sunset two days ago. This lake is hidden from our house and I don't normally walk around it because the bugs are bountiful. I just happened to walk over and boy was I glad I did! Isn't it beautiful?

Last night on my walk, I heard an owl in a neighborhood tree. A mother brought two little girls out to see the owl, and they giggled with delight each time he hooted. Although they didn't seem to actually see the owl, it was a sweet moment to witness.

I'm hoping to get some sort of physical benefit from getting out each day, but its my soul that is benefiting the most. I'm amazed at the things I would have missed had I chose to stay in and watch TV, or fold laundry, or read a magazine.

5 Ways to Get More Out of Friendship

2011-08-12T10:33:00.006-06:00

AARP, by: Pamela Redmond Satran, January 13, 2011

Good buddies can ease stress, enhance your health

By this point in your life, you've got plenty of friends, from the mom you bonded with when your now-grown kids were in kindergarten to the convivial neighbor you met when you moved to your new condo. But how do you maximize the health-enhancing, stress-reducing, fun-increasing potential of your friendships?

Here, five simple ways to get more out of relationships with friends:

Make Your Friendships a Priority

Want to get more out of your friendships? Then make your friendships a bigger part of your life.

Well, duh, as your kids might say. Yet too often, we put friends behind marriage, children, work, exercise and sorting the recycling. When life gets busy, the first thing we offload is time with friends - ironic, since seeing friends is a key to relieving stress.

How to make friendships more of a priority? One tack: Build regular time with friends into your calendar, whether its an every-Wednesday lunch with your best friend or a Saturday morning hike no matter the weather. Trusting your friendships to routine, rather than impulse, makes it more likely you'll actually get together and reap the rewards of friendship on a consistent basis.

Don't Just Sit There, Do Something

We don't need research (though there's plenty of it) to tell us that women bond over talking. But you can get more out of your friendships if you pause the conversation and do something together, whether it's sign up for tennis lessons, go on a weekend antiquing trip or simply read the same book.

Sharing activities is a positive for all kinds of relationships, research shows, including marriages and adult parent-child relationships as well as friendships. The Reason: Doing something fun and novel together expands your repertoire of common experiences, lets you see each other in new ways, plus adds another dimension to the relationship.

What if it turns our you both hate tennis? Then you can bond over that.

Connect With Virtual Friends

With women over the age of 55 being the fastest-growing demographic on Facebook, connecting with old friends and making new ones online can both grow your circle of friends, and give you more opportunities for interacting with them. Via social networking sites, you can rediscover the college roommate who always made you laugh, as well as friends-to-be who share your passion for miniature dachshunds or Hungarian harp music.

Twitter can also be an informal way to bring the chatter of many voices into your living room and keep up with everybody from the politician you admire to the person you met last week at a party. You can ask for advice, solicit support - even attend a Twitter party while you watch a shared favorite TV show.

Accept That Friendships Change Over Time

Friendships tend to depend on being in the same stage of life, and once that shifts - you are widowed but your friend is married; she retires but you're still running a business - the relationship can change too. One recent study claimed people of every age replace half their friends every seven years. The Lesson: Rather than clinging to relationships you've outgrown, you'll get more out of your friendships of you look for new friends with whom you share more similarities.

Risk the Fight

The longer you're friends with someone and the closer you get, the more likely it is you'll hit the kind of road bumps that can trip up any relationship. Rather than pretending the problem doesn't exist or running away, you'll need to confront the issue if you want to get more out of what is otherwise a valuable friendship.

"Sometimes it's more difficult to have these emotional discussions than not to have them," says Irene S. Levine, a professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine and creator of The Friendship Blog. "But if you bury hard feelings, they can seep out in toxic ways and damage the friendship."

Dr. Levine's advice for approaching a difficult discussion with a friend: Choose a relaxed time, and talk in person rather than on the phone or via e-mail. Be sensitive, don't blame or attack, but don't mask your feelings either. And know that any discussion may just be the first in an ongoing conversation, one that will ultimately lead you to a deeper, stronger friendship that can offer even more in terms of honesty and intimacy.

Guide to Medical Grade Scissors

2011-08-10T13:32:00.009-06:00

Sure, they may look funny but they are not your everyday pair of scissors!

Here is your guide to medical grade scissors:

Kelly Forceps are used to grasp small objects, usually too small for fingers to get a hold of, or to hold a single object so hands can remain free to do other things. They are made of high quality stainless steel and have multiple grooves in the tip's grip and a mechanism which "locks" the scissors in a clamped state.

Medical Shears or EMS Shears, Utility Shears or Trauma Shears are razor sharp, super hardened scissors made of surgical stainless steel and are primarily used by medical professionals. These can cut through clothing, shoes, seat belts, etc., but have blunt tips to ensure no accidental cutting.

Iris Scissors are typically small in size with an extremely sharp point that can be used for detail work during surgery. Crafters find them especially handy. Made of stainless steel.

Lister Bandage Scissors are often part of first aid kits and are used to trim bandages, cut through clothing and help remove bandages. Their angled shape and blunt tip make for safer cutting. Made of stainless steel with serrated blades.

If you are using your scissors multiple times and for multiple purposes, take great care in cleaning and disinfecting after each use.

For more information and to buy online, visit Mountain View Medical Supply's website at MVMSINC.com today!

Nurses: Compression Socks Reduces Swelling During Long Shifts

2011-08-04T09:04:00.005-06:00

Sigvaris recently sponsored a study of 31 nurses conducted by Dr. Mary Foscue, Assistant Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola, Fla. The purpose of the study was to determine if graduated compression socks provide relief from tired, achy legs among nurses who work long shifts.

Every participant kept a daily diary in which they recorded the number of hours they worked, as well as a detailed log recording the amount of time they spent both on and off their feet. Each nurse also noted information about swollen ankles, small or large vein issues, and any discoloration of the skin.

Each nurse was given several pairs of over-the-counter 15-20mmHg knee-high graduated compresison socks. 84% of the participants said they noticed a symptomatic improvement in leg health. In addition to these findings, 74% of the nurses who participated in the study said they saw a decrease in the swelling of their legs after wearing compression stockings.

We at Mountain View offer a full line of Sigvaris compression stockings and socks. Call us today at 303-455-1300 or 800-873-7121, we will be happy to help find the right compression stockings for you!

Top 6 ridiculous nursing uniform policies

2011-08-02T12:08:00.003-06:00

Posted: July 26th, 2011, By ScrubsMag.com

Nursing uniform policies have been changing over the past few years—causing some hapless nurses to fall through the cracks when it comes to scrubs style. Here are the top six gripes from nurses and nursing students about the goofier side of following dress codes.

1. White scrubs with whatever underneath
Many hospitals and nursing schools require nurses to wear white scrub pants. Some nurses actually love this. However, no nurse loves seeing her coworker’s purple leopard-print undies barely disguised under her white pants. Hey administrators…how about providing nurses with the option of colored pants?

2. Tapered pants
Some nursing schools require tapered scrub pants for men and women. This may look fine on women who can get away with wearing cute little clogs. Doesn’t look so fine on men who wear big, bulky cross trainers…or, frankly, anyone with a set of hips.

3. Island-print scrubs
For nurses working in the Marshall Islands (Military Installation), some facilities encourage tropical scrub tops. Is this professional or will nurses get mistaken for the pool staff?

4. Double identification
Color-coded scrubs for nurses have become the rule for many hospitals along with badges that clearly display name and title in BOLD BLACK LETTERS. And yet doctors get to wear jeans on the weekends!

5. Covering up with the professional look
Color-coded scrubs are mandated in certain facilities to convey greater professionalism to patients, only to leave administrators baffled when Press Ganey scores fall subsequent to the policy change. Perhaps policies regarding conduct could also use an overhaul?

6. The “no policy” policy
How about those facilities that have no rules against nurses wearing whatever kind of scrubs and whatever kind of style, no matter how inappropriate the print (cartoon scrubs in the ICU?) or ill-fitting the cut?

Tell us, what’s your workplace’s ridiculous uniform policy?

Learning for Older Adults

2011-08-01T14:10:00.007-06:00

Nobody is too old to learn. In fact, keeping your mind active is not only fun, it is beneficial. Research has shown that keeping your mind active may help ward off memory loss and prevent mental decline. Learning helps you to stay connected to your world, both locally and beyond, and when you focus on reading, a hobby, or learning a new subject, you have less time and energy to dwell on problems or worries.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, close to 3% of Americans between the ages of 50 to 70 are participating in continuing education.

If you think you have to “start over” to attend college, think again. More and more colleges and universities provide a curriculum that are specifically designed for people who have passed the traditional undergraduate college age. Many learning institutions display detailed information about their continuing education programs on their websites, along with clear enrollment instructions. Want to attend your alma matter in another area? Search their site online and see if they have a distance learning program for continuing education.

For “The best free cultural & educational media on the web”, visit www.openculture.com. This site has free audio books, 375 free online courses, free movies (from John Wayne to Hitchcock), free language lessons, and more. The featured video when I visited was called “50 Renowned Academics Speaking About God”.

Not the classroom type? No problem! Check out Road Scholar, or www.roadscholar.org, which is an amazing site that you can search and find an “Adventure in Lifelong Learning” for adults of any age. For example, I searched for “History & Culture” at any location and was provided with almost 250 different programs. One of the results was in New York City called “Five Days, Five Boroughs” and cost approximately $1200-$1800 and that included 13 meals, 5 nights at a hotel, instructors, field trips/excursions, transportation, tips and taxes. You also can search by location, interest, activity level, date or select categories such as International, Adventures Afloat or Small Groups. They offer over 7,000 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries.
Road Scholar offers scholarships, via donations, to help those who need help with the cost of their programs.

Pink Hospital Tape for LESS!!

2011-07-25T14:19:00.004-06:00

Yes, we sell pink hospital tape for less than most of our competitors, but we also just had a price DE-crease! Yes!

Feast your eyes on this:

This latex-free plastic waterproof tape is flexible and durable.
It is medicated with Zinc Oxide which protects the skin and prevents irritation. 5 Yard rolls.

Who could ask for more??

Item #PI-D126
1" Tape WAS $5.29, NOW $4.32!
1-1/2" Tape WAS $7.70, NOW $7.18!
2" Tape WAS $9.49, NOW $8.87!

Click HERE to shop now!

10 Cures for Frazzled Nurses: Shortcuts for an Easier Day

2011-07-15T15:06:00.004-06:00

By Cynthia Dusseault

A day simply isn’t long enough to get everything done, right? Or is it?

If you’re stressed out before you even get to work, or if you race through your shift at a frenetic pace and still feel as if you didn’t accomplish everything you were supposed to or wanted to—and subsequently didn’t give as much attention to your patients as you would have liked—then maybe you need to use some shortcuts to make your days more productive and less hectic.

1. Get ready for work ahead of time, no matter how tired or busy you are. Pack your lunch, make sure your uniform or whatever you’ll be wearing is all set to go, get the coffee maker ready (use the timer if it has one) and fill your vehicle with gas. If you’ll be showering before you head out the door, lay out everything that you’ll need in the bathroom. If you make the whole getting-ready-for-work process easier, you’ll be less stressed out when you do arrive, and you’ll be able to focus on your job much quicker.

2. Make a “to do” list the day before or the night before of what you need to accomplish on your next workday or shift. If you have goals and a plan, you’re more likely to get things done.

3. Run any errands right before or right after your shift, if you can. Of course, if you’re working a night shift, you might just need to get home to bed, and that’s understandable. But if you can, package your errands into your travel to and from work, so you won’t have to dip into the time you should be relaxing at home or doing things with your family and friends. And get everything ready for those errands ahead of time—your shopping list, your dry cleaning stub, the letters or packages you have to mail—with your work gear, so you can just grab everything quickly and head out the door.

4. As soon as you get to work, stock your uniform or lab coat pockets with the items you use the most. Think about the items you’re always chasing down: tape, a pen light, dressing scissors, alcohol pads, IV parts. Those items should be in your pockets.

5. Take notes during report and keep them in your pocket. Consider this your “cheat sheet” of important things and add to it as the day progresses. When you’re on the night shift and are super tired, you won’t have to worry about relying totally on your memory because it will all be there. Just be sure to shred your cheat sheet or lock it safely in your locker before you head home.

6. Hang onto that pen! Seriously, don’t lend it to anyone or you’ll likely never see it again. Plus, you’ll waste time looking for another one.

7. If your facility isn’t using a “bedside handover” system, suggest it. Conducting bedside handovers from off-going nurses to on-coming nurses saves time because it enables patient safety assessment and allows nurses to respond early in their shifts to the needs of patients. It also keeps patients and families more involved in the plans of care.

8. Do “real time documentation.” In other words, don’t leave your charting until the end of your shift. Sit at that computer and do your documenting right away so you don’t waste time later trying to remember what you did.

9. Learn how to remove yourself politely. Although patients love to talk, sometimes you have to pull yourself away from a long story—that you don’t really need to hear—so that you can do what needs to be done. You don’t want to seem rude or uncaring, so it may take a little practice to get good at this. Try saying things like, “I’m so sorry. I have to go and take of another patient, but I’m not far if you need me, and I’ll come back if I have a free moment and we can continue talking.”

10. Eat for energy and don’t skip meals. The best energy combination is a carbohydrate plus a protein because carbohydrates give you energy, and proteins prevent your blood sugar from spiking after eating those carbohydrates, so they get more staying power, which translates into sustained energy. And you know that the minute your energy level starts to drop, so does your productivity.

Visit www.ScrubsMag.com

'Nobody is more offended by fraud and abuse then those of us who play by the rules'

2011-07-11T10:50:00.003-06:00

Medicare fraud: A hearing, an audit and a bill

By Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor - 06.24.2011

WASHINGTON - With Medicare fraud the mantra of government officials in Washington, D.C., these days, HME (Home Medical Equipment) industry stakeholders are walking the fine line between supporting efforts to clean up the benefit and saying enough is enough.

At a federal fraud-prevention summit held June 17 in Philadelphia, attendees criticized one of CMS's (Centers for Medicare/Medicade) go-to tools: often-overzealous audits.

"The RACs are set up as bounty hunters and they get paid on what they bring back," said John Shirvinsky, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Medical Suppliers, who attended the summit. "(I told them) we are advising all of our members to appeal every request for a payback from the RAC auditors."

It seems as though officials are listening. Peter Budetti, deputy administrator for the Center for Program Integrity, told attendees that, in light of the complaints they were hearing, CMS will conduct an "audit audit" to investigate.

AAHomecare, which also participated in the summit, met with CMS officials June 7. The association offered its recommendations on what documentation should be requested during an audit, as well as recommendations to help clarify how audits are conducted.

"They are open to our recommendations as we work through what we believe are inconsistent applications of rules to claims review," said Walt Gorski, vice president of government affairs for AAHomecare. "While we understand the struggle that they have in rooting out fraud, our main goal is to ensure consistency and accountability in the audit system."

Lawmakers are getting on the bandwagon, as well. On June 22, Sens. Tom Carper, D-Del., and Tom Coburn, R-Okla., introduced the Medicare and Medicaid Fighting Fraud and Abuse to Save Taxpayer's Dollars Act (the FAST Act). While industry stakeholders were still reviewing the legislation last week, a brief look raised concerns that the bill used a "broad brush" approach, said Cara Bachenheimer.

"The government already has plenty of tools," said Bachenheimer, senior vice president of government relations for Invacare. "The question is how do you make the government be smart about going after fraud as opposed to these agendas that impact everybody negatively and ultimately impact beneficiaries. That's the real problem."

One of the tools: predictive modeling technology, which is slated to go live July 1. Similar to what credit card companies use, the technology can detect billing patterns and stop fraudulent Medicare claims before they are paid.

"We are supportive of predictive modeling as a way to spot trends," said Gorski. "At the same time, we are concerned about the circumstances that have occurred with ZPICs and other audits."

For example, if a competitive bid winner's claims volume increases, that should be expected; it shouldn't automatically be viewed as suspicious, Gorski said.

For now, at least, stakeholders say they are just happy that CMS has opened a dialogue with the industry.

"Nobody is more offended by fraud and abuse then those of us who play by the rules," said Shirvinsky. "We have an interest in seeing that the bad actors are eliminated from the system."

Source: HME News

Summertime Quotes, Take 2!

2011-07-08T15:11:00.003-06:00

One swallow does not make a summer. -- Aristotle

Summer, as my friend Coleridge waggishly writes, has set in with its usual severity. -- Charles Lamb

The summer night is like a perfection of thought. -- Wallace Stevens

Very hot and still the air was, Very smooth the gliding river, Motionless the sleeping shadows. -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Summer afternoon - Summer afternoon... the two most beautiful words in the English language. -- Henry James

In summer, the song sings itself. -- William Carlos Williams

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. -- Albert Camus

Guide to Buying a Lift Chair

2011-07-07T09:28:00.006-06:00

A lift chair is usually a recliner-type chair that when the user wants to stand up, the chair lifts them into the standing position. Some chairs can also double as a place to sleep, for those that are mostly bed-ridden, and need or want to stay in a common area of a home.

Lift chairs can be a big purchase, but basic models can start at around $545.

So what should you look for when buying a lift chair? Here is a guide to help you get started!

First, determine a size. A lift chair should fit the user, much like clothing. The chair will be more comfortable if the user isnt "swimming" in a big chair, or too cramped in a chair that is too small. Lift chairs are available from petite to extra large sizes and are typically categorized by the users height. For extra tall users, extended footrests are available. Be sure to take into consideration all of the chair measurements such as the the seat to floor measurements and the top of back to seat measurements. Make sure these measurements are compatible with the users leg and torso measurements.

Second, determine the use of the chair. Will the user sleep in the chair, or use it mostly during the day, similar to a traditional recliner? Lift chairs are available in basic 2 position (TV recline), 3-position (full recline) reclining chairs or "infinite-position" chairs. Infinite position chairs lay back into a sleeper position.

Third, determine what type of fabric you prefer. Basic upholstery is very nice, but suede, micro-suede, vinyl and leather are also available.

Fourth, determine the type of back of chair option you prefer. This option is important so the users back is supported properly and comfortably. There are more than 8 different options, ranging from pillow back, button back, sewn split-back, biscuit back, shell back and more.

Lastly, determine if you need or want any special options. Some of the specialty collections provide innovative armrests and footrests, and some chairs have heat or massage options which can greatly improve quality of life.

Here at our store, we offer quite a few lift chair options in-stock. Come in, sit down, try them out and see what feels right for you. We can also place a special order lift chair that will arrive in a few weeks. Pick your color, size, style and options so you are sure to get the chair that fits YOU.

Take a peek at our website to see a general selection of lift chairs now!

Summertime Bites & Stings

2011-06-30T13:28:00.005-06:00

Bees and wasps not only have stings that are painful, but about 50 people a year actually die from allergic reactions to stings. When stung by a bee, its important to remember the bee will leave its stinger attached to you with a venom sac. To remove it, use a credit card and scrape it across the stinger to pull it out without pressing on the venom sac, or more painful venom will be injected. Wasps do not leave their stinger in you, but they can sting repeatedly.
If you are allergic to stings, immediate medical attention should be sought, or always carry an epinephrine injection pen. Usually cortisone cream can reduce swelling and itching, or for a wider reaction, an antihistamine cream or injection might be necessary. Some home remedies include honey, ice, toothpaste, peanut butter, vinegar/baking soda paste, mud and ammonia.

Mosquito bites cause that little itchy red bump that we are so familiar with. In the last decade, mosquitoes have spread the West Nile Virus, and they are well documented in the spread of diseases like encephalitis or malaria. A repellent containing DEET is your best bet to ward them off, but if you do get bitten, its best not to scratch, and use a topical antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream to reduce swelling and itching. Home remedies include Aloe Vera, vinegar, Dead Sea salt water, ice, banana peel, ammonia, lavender essential oil or rubbing alcohol.

Chiggers are the larval form of Trombiculidae mites and only feed on us in their “childhood”. As adult insects, they are actually vegetarian. They are less than 1/150th of an inch but their bite and subsequent itch are tremendous! The allergic reaction can last from 7-10 days until the body processes the stylostome, which is a hard tube-like structure created from skin reacting to the chiggers saliva path. To ward off chiggers, use powdered sulphur, if you can stand the smell, around the opening of your pants, socks and shoes and take a hot, soapy bath immediately after exposure. To ease a chigger bite, use benzocaine, camphor-phenol or ammonium hydroxide, along with other over the counter anti-itch creams. Other home remedies include ice, Dead Sea salt water, water and baking soda paste, honey, ammonia, slice of onion, or lavender essential oil mixed with equal parts of vegetable oil.

Source: http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/avoid-outdoor-pests; http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/01/31/health/main327105.shtml; http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5422588/home_remedies_for_insect_bites_bee.html?cat=25

Summertime Quotes

2011-06-29T14:40:00.003-06:00

"Do what we can; summer will have its flies." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." - James Dent

"Being a child at home alone in the summer is a high-risk occupation. If you call your mother at work thirteen times an hour, she can hurt you." - Erma Bombeck

"I know that if odor were visible, as color is, I'd see the summer garden in rainbow clouds." Robert Bridges

"Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence. Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance. Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence. Winter passes and one remembers one's perserverance." - Yoko Ono

"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world." - Ada Louise Huxtable

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." - John Lubbock

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosiac of them all." - Stanley Horowitz

Summer 2011 New Arrivals - Part 3

2011-06-27T11:11:00.007-06:00

The new arrivals just keep coming, and we love it! Below are a few more to feast your eyes on, or you can visit our WEBSITE to see all of our new arrivals!

LUCH2657, I'm Leaving Now
A nicely shaped scoop neck Flexibles top featuring shirring at the neck with contrast binding, soft stretchy knit side panels, side pockets and a groovy tagless neck label. Center back length is 26". Made of Cotton/Spandex. Pair with black, light grey, dark grey, bright pink or turquoise pants.

LUCH2828C, Days of Wine & Roses
A deep V-neck top that features a contrast print dickie inset and sleeve cuff, solid contrast piping along the neckband edge and empire waist, soft bust shirring, two front patch pockets, back elastic and side vents. Center back length 26 1/2". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with black, grey, dark grey or wine pants.

LUCH2756C Tropico
This fun round neck top features a delicate ruffle at front neck, inside adjustable drawstring waist, back darts, angled pockets, and side vents. Center back length is 26 1/2". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with chocolate, khaki, lime green or pink pants.

LUCH2678 Spotty Spots
A fun print on this round neck top in a stretch fabrication features a logo zipper in the front with darts around the neck. The two angled pockets feature a binding finish. Back darts create a flattering shape in this stretch top. Side seams are finished with vents and the center back length is 26". Made of Cotton/Spandex. Pair with black, white or wine pants.

LULA8413 Scribbled Hearts
Fun, frilly and definitely feminine. V-neck top accented with a double ruffle, shirred cap sleeves with center elasticized shirring, six-button placket, sewn-in empire waistband and two lower patch pockets. Back features tailoring darts for fit. Center back length is 26 1/8". Made of 65% polyester/35% cotton. Very versatile, pair with black, purple, yellow, bright pink, sky blue, coral or white pants.

Summer 2011 New Arrivals - Part 2

2011-06-24T12:23:00.008-06:00

More deliveries this week! Enjoy and dont be afraid to browse all of the new arrivals on our WEBSITE, or for you Denver-ites, come visit our store located on the SE corner of I-76 & Sheridan Blvd in Arvada, here is a MAP.

LUCH6846 Sesame Street Love Life
This fit & flare top features a V-neckline and three front pockets. Contrast binding edges the neckline, sleeves and one cell phone pocket. Two roomy patch pockets and side vents. Center back length is 25 1/2". Made of Brushed Poly/Cotton Poplin. Pair with kelly green, black, grey, bright pink or white. (blue is hard to match)

LUCH6628 Peanuts You Blockhead
This Peanuts print is a round neck top featuring a softly curved front neck yoke with contrast piping, delicate center front pin tucks, raglan style seaming for flattering fit, patch pockets, half back elastic for shaping and side vents. Center back length is 26 1/2". Made of Brushed Poly/Cotton Poplin. Pair with black, orange, bright pink or light blue pants.

LUCH6875C Betty Grey Gardens
This fun Betty Boop print Flexibles top features stretch side panels in contrast knit which shapes and slims the body! Also featured is a V-neckline, front and back yoke, and two hidden pockets! Center back length is 25". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with black, grey, dark grey or red pants.

LUCH4700C Into the Wind
This butterfly print top features a dolman sleeve, v-neck tunic with side seam vents, two patch pockets and a cell phone pocket. Center back length is 26.25". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with black, light green, grey, lime green, dark grey, royal or medium blue.

LUCH4788C Hope Butterflies
This pink ribbon scrub top is a mock wrap top that features contrast color neck bands, an adjustable contrast drawstring waist, back elastic, two patch pockets and side vents. Center back length is 26 5/8". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with azalea, black, grey or pink.

LUCH6648 Scooby Butterflies
Scooby Doo and Butterflies print, this V-necktop features contrast neck binding, contrast adjustable empire drawstring, back elastic, two patch pockets and side vents. Center back length is 26 1/2". Made of Brushed Poly/Cotton Poplin. Pair with kelly green, purple, lime green, navy, lavendar, royal, bright pink and medium blue pants.

Summer 2011 New Arrivals - Part 1

2011-06-22T13:19:00.009-06:00

Oh, how we LOVE getting new arrivals! Our new summer arrivals did not disappoint and we have a little something for everyone! Check out these, along with the entire cast of New Arrivals, on our Laurel Uniforms & Apparel website.

LUCH2732C in Pashmina Paisley
This beautiful print V-neck top features a decorative ring joined at center front neck with stylized front yoke seam, two patch pockets, back elastic and side vents. Center back length: 26 1/2". Made of 100% cotton. Pair with black, dark grey, white or wine pants.

LUCH6719 with White Embroidery of Minnie Mouse!
Look closely! This top has white embroidery creating outlines of Minnie Mouse! A mock wrap top that features front neck binding, release tucks at the waist, and patch pockets. Left pocket has pencil stitch, right pocket has stitched down instrument loop, back elastic, and side vents. Center back length is 26". Made of Cotton/Poly Poplin. Pair with white or black pants.

LUCH2702 White with Decorative Ring
This V-neck top features a decorative ring joined at center front neck with stylized front yoke seam. Patch pockets, back elastic and side vents. Center back length is 26 1/2". Made of Brushed Cotton/Poly Poplin. Pair with white or black pants.

LUCH2737C in Cherry Blossoms Print
A wonderful summer print! Features a v-neck with binding around the front and back neckline. Bust darts and side elastic smocking create a flattering shape. Angled pockets and side vents. Center back length is 26 1/2". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with black, bright pink, grey, dark grey and red pants.

LUCH2789C in Don't Hound Me Print
A new Flexibles style! This innovative top features stretch side panels in contrast knit which shapes and slims the body! Also featured is a V-neckline, front and back yoke, and two hidden pockets! A border print is featured on this Flexibles silhouette. Center back lenght: 25". Made of 100% Cotton. Pair with black or royal pants.

Halt, Summer!

2011-06-21T15:14:00.003-06:00

Geeze, where is the summer going already??

Am I the only one looking around thinking "is it really almost the end of June?"

Each spring I have such plans for summer! Nightly walks, camping trips, concerts, picnics, parties on the patio. Well, I have managed to walk a few times, we are contemplating a camping trip, we went to one concert because it had been postponed from last summer, no picnics have been had, but we did eat out on the patio once!

I wish there were a way to halt time so I can sit, relax and enjoy just being in summer moments!

Majority of Providers Want Out

2011-06-15T12:32:00.005-06:00

Are you or someone you love a Medicare recipient? If so, you need to know this!

Homecaremag.com conducted a poll: "Will you bid in Round 2 of competitive bidding?"

A shocking 60 percent of Home Medical Equipment (HME) participants in HomeCare's March web poll said they are trying to sell or close their HME businesses before Round 2 of competitive bidding.

Here is how the responses broke out:
Yes: 13%
No: 10%
Haven't decided: 4%
Audits may put me out of business before Round 2 is implemented: 13%
I'm trying to sell/close my business before I have to: 60%

Here is a Competitive Bidding overview, courtesy of www.homecaremag.com:
The original DME competitive bidding program was signed into law on December 8, 2003, as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). In April 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Medicare DMEPOS national competitive bidding program final rule and the first-round competitive bid areas and product categories.

After numerous problems were encountered during Round 1 of competitive bidding, the House and Senate voted in July 2008 to overturn President George W. Bush's veto of H.R. 6331. The Medicare package included a temporary delay of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program to allow time for critical process improvements and other reforms to bidding and HME policy. (View a summary of the competitive bidding provisions in H.R. 6331.)

During President Bush's last month in office, his administration issued an interim final rule that instructed CMS to restart the competitive bidding process, which is now commonly known as the Round 1 Rebid. The newly-elected President Barack Obama temporarily delayed all rules issued during the previous administration's final month, but this rule was allowed to become final after the 60-day delay expired in April 2009.

In August 2009, CMS announced the timeline for the Round 1 Rebid. (View a timeline with deadlines for competitive bidding.) On October 13, 2009, Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Fla., introduced a bill to repeal DMEPOS competitive bidding. However, CMS opened the 60-day bid window on time for the Round 1 rebid of Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding.

•Visit the CBIC Web site for further information on the Round 1 rebid.
•Read an overview of Medicare's DMEPOS Competitive Bidding on CMS' Web site.
•View the final rule on the Competitive Acquisition for Certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS).

Click our previous post Medicare Competitive Bidding and What it Means to You for more information.

Theracane, what would I do without you?

2011-06-13T15:10:00.004-06:00

Business first. Our AD601BK Cardio stetho has been reduced from $111.05 to $98.21.

Now, on to THERACANE! If you dont know what a Theracane is, let me assure you, as a back pain sufferer, it is simply AMAZING. Wonderful. Heaven-sent.

AND THE PRICE HAS BEEN REDUCED, PEOPLE!

If you dont have a Theracane, NOW is the time to get one, before the Theracane Gods (or whomever came up with this amazing gadget) realizes the potential in their miracle-producing-hands, and gets greedy!

I feel like Theracane is my own personal Justin Bieber. Full of talent and its moments away from exploding onto the scene, making grown-ups weep and well....you get the drift.

Ahem.

Theracane was $38.67, and is now only $35.15!

Seriously, I worship my theracane and its pain-relieving abilities, and Im sure you will too! This product gets out those muscle bound knots and kinks like nobody's business!

Click HERE to buy one now, pronto, vaminos! You wont regret it.

Allergies: Myth vs Fact

2011-06-09T14:00:00.003-06:00

Myth: Moving to a new climate will help with allergies.

Fact: Changing climates can affect your reaction to allergy-triggering substances called allergens -- but only to a limited extent. Some Eastern and Midwestern plants are rare out West, but grass and ragweed pollens are found nearly everywhere. Also, once you move, you may simply start reacting to different allergens.

Myth: Flowers commonly trigger allergies.

Fact: While some florists with prolonged exposure to flowers can have allergy symptoms, very few people suffer allergic reactions from a bouquet of beautiful blossoms. The culprit is usually the pollen produced by trees, grasses, and weeds (and yes, occasionally flowers) that’s picked up by breezes and carried through the air.

Myth: There is no pollen at the beach.

Fact: Compared to other regions, beaches can be nice vacation spots for allergy sufferers since beaches generally have lower pollen counts. However, grasses are common near beaches, and ragweed pollen can be found as far as 400 miles out to sea. Also, even a short drive or walk away from the sand will expose you to the region's pollen-emitting plant life.

Myth: Pollen counts can predict bad days.

Fact: Pollen counts determine how many grains of pollen were measured in a specific amount of air over a specific amount of time. You can use the daily pollen count as a tool for minimizing allergen exposure. One source of pollen counts is the National Allergy Bureau (www.aaaai.org/nab). It provides accurate data from 85 U.S. counting stations, plus two each in Canada and Argentina.

Myth: Local honey can reduce allergies.

Fact: The theory that eating local honey helps is mainly anecdotal and hasn't been sufficiently verified by research. Believers hope that the pollen content in honey will inoculate them against allergic rhinitis. But few controlled studies have addressed this theory. Besides, unlike carefully controlled allergy shots, pollens found in honey may not include the ones that affect you.

Myth: You will outgrow your allergies.

Fact: Some children do outgrow certain allergies. But very few outgrow hay fever. A hospital in Sweden tracked 82 patients with allergic rhinitis. The patients reported that 99% still suffered from allergic rhinitis 12 years later, although 39% reported improvement.

Myth: Rain washes away pollen.

Fact: The best days for allergy sufferers to go outdoors are those immediately following heavy rains. Pollen levels can be affected by temperature, time of day, humidity, and rain. Pollen counts run lowest on chilly, soggy days. They tend to run highest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., especially on hot, dry, and windy days. If you want to go outdoors, try to wait until the late afternoon.

Myth: Mold allergies only strike indoors.

Fact: Mold spores are fungi and can be found almost anywhere. They grow on soil, decaying leaves, and rotting wood -- especially in damp weather. You're most likely to have an allergic reaction to mold in the summer. Most outdoor molds aren't active during the winter. When spring comes around, molds grow on plants that died in the cold weather.

Myth: Hay fever comes from hay.

Fact: Hay fever isn't a fever, and it doesn't come from hay. Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is caused by tree, grass, and weed pollens as well as mold spores, some of which grow well in rural areas. If you have allergies, you may be more likely to suffer a reaction in a rural area. But some studies have shown that children who grow up on farms are less likely to develop allergies.

Myth: If you dont have allergies as a child, you wont have allergies as an adult.

Fact: Allergies often begin in childhood, but you can develop allergies as an adult, too. Some occur after you change your environment and encounter new allergens. Some adults redevelop symptoms they had during childhood.

Myth: Regular injections can relieve allergies.

Fact: While there are no full cures for allergies, allergy shots -- also known as immunotherapy -- are the closest thing. If you have bad allergies or reactions to many different allergens, you might benefit from immunotherapy. Regular injections may dramatically reduce your reaction to certain allergens when you stick to the regimen recommended by your doctor.

June 2011 Medicaid Cuts - A Sign of Things to Come?

2011-06-08T10:24:00.004-06:00

Medicare/Medicaid sends out monthly updates to providers letting them know changes in Medicare/Medicaid coverage.

In the June update, Medicaid announced it will no longer cover circumcisions for newborns and they cut the diabetic supply benefit nearly in half. While circumcisions can arguably be "elective", diabetic supplies are not, and this is alarming.

Should we be concerned about these changes? Yes! These were just two changes in one month, and we see these changes and cuts every single month. Medicare/Medicaid are government run medical care programs, and as a country, we have a new health care mandate that will largely be dictated by the government.

As it stands now, if my private health insurance cut my required diabetic benefit in half, I have a choice to find another insurance provider. As it stands now, health insurance companies have to compete for my business. If they don't provide decent coverage at a reasonable price, we go can go elsewhere. Its called competition and insurance providers have to work to earn our business.

The big argument has been how much of a profit insurance companies make. While it does seem outlandish, we need to take a step back and think about this for a second. If insurance companies don't have money in the bank, and a major disaster strikes, their beneficiaries are left with no coverage because they essentially run out of money. Would you rather have an insurance company with limited funds, or an insurance company that will continue to be sound even if a major disaster strikes?

Yes, there are flaws. Yes, changes need to be made. More people need to be covered and charges for a lot of procedures need to be substantially reduced. Nobody argues that.

Are we sure a complete overhaul and guardianship by our government is the answer?

Spring Flooding Means Great White Water Rafting

2011-06-02T15:12:00.003-06:00

Here in Colorado we have had record snowfall this year. Just a few days ago the highest peaks on the mountain range were completely white. This morning they were about 3/4 white, and for those of you who dont live with 14,000 foot mountains, that is a LOT of snowmelt coming down into our rivers.

I heard on the radio this morning that about mid-June we can expect to have peak river flow from the snowmelt. While this sounds exciting and fun for river rafting, specifically WHITE WATER river rafting, it also signals a dangerous time to even be near our mountainous rivers.

Each spring we hear of people enjoying river fun only to find them selves having to be rescued, or worse, fast water rescue teams going into "recovery mode" because the swift river took someones feet out from under them. Even dogs are not safe.

The good news is that most of our lakes downstream in the Denver metro area have plenty of room to accept the spring runoff.

When I was about 12 years old, my family visited Lake Powell in late spring. The Colorado river feeds into Lake Powell and the runoff was so spectacular that year that the lake literally rose about a foot per day. Lake Powell has several thousands of miles of coastline so that was an extraordinary amount of runoff!

If you decide to partake in white water fun, be safe out there, folks!

What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer

2011-06-01T10:03:00.004-06:00

When I was a kid, and I’m dating my age here, we used to slather on baby oil and bathe in the sun to get a tan. As I got older, sunscreen use became more common and eventally, I swore off intentional sun to my face and most of my body. I now mostly use tanning lotions with at least SPF 30 to get somewhat of a golden glow (and to prevent blinding other people because I am so fair skinned).

My grandfather, who was a farmer, had several bouts of skin cancer on his face, and now my mother is having more frequent spots of skin cancer removed from her face.

With summer upon us, its time to think about our sun-worshiping habits and the risk associated with this past-time.

There are three major types of skin cancer - basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma begins in the basal cells - a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as the old ones die off. This cancer often appears as a waxy bump, and usually on the areas of the skin that are frequently exposed to the sun.
Squamous cell carcinoma rarely causes further problems when treated early. Untreated, it can spread and cause serious complications. The appearance of the tumors can vary, so its important to keep tabs on any nodules, lesions, ulcers, patches or sores on your skin or anywhere on your body.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and develops in the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. In addition to forming on the skin, it can form in your eyes and internal organs. Look for changes in existing moles or the development of new, unusual looking growth on your skin.

The number one factor in developing skin cancer is sun exposure, specifically, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning beds. Here is how to protect yourself:
Avoid Midday Sun - for most, this is between 10am - 4pm, even when there is cloud cover.
Wear Sunscreen Year-Round - use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, and reapply often. Once per day wont do it.
Wear Protective Clothing - Even with sunscreen, wear a hat and tightly woven clothing.
Avoid Tanning Beds. Period.
Become Familiar with Your Skin so you notice any new changes.

Source: www.mayoclinic.com

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness

2011-05-31T12:29:00.007-06:00

With the close of Memorial Day weekend, I hope everyone took time to think of those who have defended, or now defend our freedom, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We should especially think of those who have died defending our country and these very principals.

This reminds me that we have a right to a government that holds dear the foundation of this beautiful country. Think about it: Freedom. Life. Liberty. Pursuit of Happiness. When I think of our growing dependence on our government, with health care for example, I cant help but question whether these principals are in jeopardy.

America fought to gain freedom from England, who repressed its people with bigger government and higher taxes. Are we not headed back in this direction, in some form or fashion?

Freedom to choose.
Life, quality of life, choices in health care.
Liberty and our ability to govern ourselves.
Pursuit of happiness and the shelter from being taxed heavily.

We should ask ourselves if our founding fathers would think we are on the right path. We should ask ourselves if our government is coveting the very things our military fight, and have fought and died for.

Songs for Your Long Weekend Road Trip!

2011-05-26T14:16:00.003-06:00

Planning a road trip for this coming Memorial weekend? Take these suggestions on the road with you!

NIGHT Driving - Take Time to Listen:
Juana Molina, No Seas Antipatica
Linda Perhacs, Chimacum Rain
Mark Hollis, The Colour of Spring
Del Amitiri, Driving with the Brakes On

Songs for the Left Lane:
The Ting Tings, Great DJ
Jackson Browne, Running on Empty
The Helio Sequence, Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Gnarles Barkley, Run

Jazz for a Rental Car:
Bobbi Humphrey, Harlem River Drive
Flora Purim, Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly
Miles Davis, Red China Blues
Herbie Hancock, Actual Proof

Songs for When the City Lights Fade:
John Adams, Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Abbay Mado, Ethipiques, Vol. 7: Ere Mela Mela
The Rolling Stones, Rocks Off
Deep Purple, Highway Star

Songs for Stops Along the Way:
Old Crow Medicine Show, Wagon Wheel
John Hiatt, Drive South
James McMurtry, Choctaw Bingo
Men at Work, Down by the Sea

Source: www.npr.org

Wake of waste diminishing

2011-05-20T13:10:00.004-06:00

Last year, my husband received the new version of Kindle, the "electronic" book and media device. For those of you unfamiliar, this device allows you to download books, magazines, newspapers, etc., and then "read" it on your Kindle device. It utilizes wireless free of charge and you can get new media basically anywhere you have cell phone service.
So, instead of walking to your driveway for the Sunday paper, you can stay in bed and simply download the paper onto your Kindle. And, instead of checking your mailbox for your monthly magazines, you download them on your Kindle. Need another book? Just shop, purchase and download a new one all within minutes!

I was thinking about how awesome this gadget was and it occurred to me how much of an impact it will make to reduce the use of paper. Again. I mean, look at how the computer changed things. Before Al Gore invented the internet (kidding!), it was unthinkable that computers would reduce paperwork and subsequent paper waste. I now pay most of my bills through my online bank and receive most billing and statements via email. The only mail I receive these days is junk mail or the occassional card from Grandma. (Thanks, Grandma!)

Another interesting waste reduction event happened recently at our home. Our city mandated the use by all residents, of a specific trash service. With this new trash service company, we were given three barrels. One large one for "recyclables", one medium one for "compostables" and one small one for trash. Because the trash barrel was so small, we were forced to recycle more. Previously we had one large barrel for trash and a small bucket for recycleables, and we had to sort the recycleables too. Our new system made it much easier for us to recycle! Plus, we now have a barrel for compostables such as grass clippings and biodegradable food wastes, etc.

Now dont get me wrong, we are not what would be considered a "green" household. Much to our power-and-fume-free-push-lawnmower-neighbors shagrin, my husband still mows the lawn with a riding lawn mower. But it is graditfying to say we are reducing waste in more ways than one!

How have you reduced waste in your household?

Attention Ostomy Bargain Shoppers: OstomyOverstock.com

2011-05-18T10:49:00.007-06:00

We think OstomyOverstock.com is one of those little gems you come across on the internet. Its one of those sites that restores your faith in the whole world wide web thing, after sifting through meaningless stuff, page after page.

And its OURS! Yes, that's right folks! We thought long and hard about how we could help those that have to pay out of pocket for their ostomy systems and how WE could help save our customers some money. OstomyOverstock.com is our little love-site.

Here is the deali-O:
First, go to www.OstomyOverstock.com, then, do a little bit of planning, because we only process orders once a month!

Step One: Begin shopping, by simply selecting from the Categories or Manufacturers in the left column. Or, search for a part number by simply entering the manufacturers exact part number in the "search site" box in the upper right hand corner and hit enter on your keyboard.

Step Two: Place your order anytime during the month

Step Three: Between the 1st and 3rd day of the month following order placement, your order will be processed – Your credit card will be charged at this time. (NOTE: On the first day of the following month, orders are not cancelable)

Step Four: Between the 5th and 10th day of the month following order placement, your order will be shipped

Why do we do it this way? Processing orders once per month lowers our overhead and we pass that savings on to you! Check our prices on our ostomy systems against any other site and you will see how much you can save!

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE:
January 15th You place your order
February 2nd Your credit card is charged for your order
February 6th Your order ships

Just one note: The ostomy systems we offer on OstomyOverstock.com are only ConvaTec. If you need help converting your current ostomy system, or if you have questions, call us at 800-873-7121 or email us at customer.service@mvms.com.

Our staff has over 75 years of combined experience in the medical supply field so we know how to help you care for your ostomy concerns.

$10 FLAT SHIPPING FEE ON ANY ORDER, LARGE OR SMALL.

PLUS! We just added a ton more accessory items such as stoma paste, adhesive removers, skin prep wipes, tape and much more!
You can now do one-stop-cheap-shopping with OstomyOverstock.com!

How to take charge of your own medical care

2011-05-17T11:11:00.004-06:00

How do you take charge of your own medical care without a medical background? Going to the doctors office or hospital can be overwhelming for the average person with conditions requiring complex or ongoing treatments.

Here are a few tools to help you!

Healthgrades.com offers an abundance of information on physicians, hospitals, nursing homes and even drug ratings. Some reports on this site are free, but in-depth reports will cost you depending on the information you want. You can find and compare physicians in your area, including disciplinary actions, board certifications and patient opinions. You can also receive Watchdog Alerts on your current physician, so you know right away if there are problems.
The free hospital ratings include the most popular hospital conditions such as "patient safety rating". Or, for a fee, receive a comprehensive report that lists ratings, costs on specific procedures, patient volumes, safety, survival, complication and recovery ratings.
Healthgrades also compares and locates nursing facilities in your area and provides state inspection reports, investigated complaints and analysis of recurring problems.
Their prescription drug tool is available for free (beta). Search by drug name (original brand or generic), condition, or alphabetically (since most drugs are so hard to spell, let alone pronounce). Once you find your drug, the site provides you with price level, overall rating, number of ratings and the change in number of prescriptions (a decrease, for example, may indicate a generic version has been released). Most importantly, it provides a comparison tool for drugs treating the same condition.

If you have a medical file that is full of complex information, or spread across several doctor offices, try Lynxcare.net. For a fee, you will receive a prepared, analyzed medical summary, up to 130 pages, which includes a list of questions and concerns most essential to your ongoing healthcare.
For additional fees, you can have all of your records aquired (with your consent), organized and scanned into PDF format. Consulting services are also available to provide condition specific research, health system "navigation" aid, drug interaction reports or options in alternative medicine.

The Big Bang in May

2011-05-16T12:55:00.003-06:00

Or should we say it plural? The Big BangS in May?

I dont know about you, but the end of the school year, typically in May, is so incredibly busy!

Prom. Graduation. Sporting events. Birthdays. Mothers Day. Memorial Day.

In my family, and in several other families that we know, May is the big birthday month. From April 27 through June 11, our family has TEN birthdays. TEN!

This year we have one niece graduating. Last year we had three that graduated.

And all of these exciting events get to be expensive too. Several of our friends' kids are graduating this year, so six graduation cards had to be purchased and stuffed with "take the world by the horns" starter money. WHEW!

Its like Christmas in May!

Merry MayMas!

Perinneal Wildflowers make for a Beautiful Friday!

2011-05-13T11:20:00.020-06:00

Want to paint a landscape that is beautiful year after year?

Here are a few wonderful perinneal wildflowers that you might want to check out for your area.

Blue Flax - Grows up to 2' tall, blooms early-mid season, zones 3-9, full sun, average moisture/well drained.

Butterfly Weed - Grows up to 3' tall, blooms mid-late season, zones 3-10, full sun, adaptable to arid conditions.

Eastern Red Columbine - Grows up to 2', blooms early-mid season, zones 3-9, full sun/partial shade, average-dry soil.

Forget Me Not - Grows under 1', blooms early season, zones 3-9, full sun-almost shade, plenty of moisture (think waterside).

Maximilian's Sunflower - Grows up to 8', blooms late season, zones 3-8, full sun, average moisture, well drained.

Mexican Hat - Grows 2-3', blooms mid-season, zones 3-9, full sun, adaptable to arid conditions.

New England Aster - Grows up to 4', blooms mid-season, zones 3-6 & any altitude, full sun, average moisture, well drained.

Rocky Mountain Pensternon - Grows up to 3', blooms mid-season, zones 3-6 & any altitude, full sun, average moisture, well drained.

Standing Cypress - Grows up to 6', blooms early-mid season, zones 6-10, full sun, average moisture, well drained.

For a full list of perennial wildflowers, and information to buy seeds, click www.wildflowerinformation.org

Don't Just Vaccinate Against the Flu

2011-05-11T09:09:00.004-06:00

When we think of vaccinations, we think of children getting shots for childhood diseases, and then we think of senior citizens over the age of 65 getting flu shots. Times have changed, and to remain protected, there are a few vaccinations needed for protection throughout life.

While infectious diseases have declined, we cannot stop vaccinating or we would see epidemics again. Here is a list of vaccines recommended for older adults, according to the FDA:

FLU - Especially for people over 65, since most deaths occur in this age group. October - November is the best time to get a shot, but shots are available through December or later.

PNEUMONIA - Especially for people over 65. This can prevent serious infections of lungs, blood and covering of the brain.

TETANUS - A severe, often fatal disease with 20% of reported cases resulting in death. Get this booster shot every 10 years. If you can, get it after your birthday to help you remember your last booster!

DIPHTHERIA - This is for a bacteria producing toxins which can cause heart and nerve problems. This is rare in the US, but common in other parts of the world, so be diligent if you travel abroad.

WHOOPING COUGH - Severe coughing spasms. The vaccine for this disease is usually combined with diphtheria and tetanus, and is available for adults up to 64 years old.

SHINGLES - Painful skin rash with blister-like lesions usually on one small side of the body. For people 60 years and older, the risk for shingles begins at age 50 and increases.

MEASLES, MUMPS & RUBELLA (MMR) - Can lead to ear infections, pneumonia, seizures, deafness, meningitis and arthritis. Anyone born after 1956 should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine unless they have had the vaccine or each of the three diseases (according to the CDC).

HEPATITIS B - A serious disease that affects the liver. All unvaccinated adults at risk for infection should be vaccinated.

Talk with your doctor to determine your vaccination history. In some cases, a blood test can show whether you have immunity to particular diseases.

If you plan to travel abroad, talk to your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip. Most vaccines take time to become effective.

FDA Consumer, Jan-Feb 2007

Personal Hygiene for Less!

2011-05-09T12:17:00.007-06:00

Get clean with these two great products for less!

Sage Toothette disposable oral swabs with dentifrice allow gentle cleansing of teeth, mouth, and gums. Mint flavored swabs are individually wrapped. Box of 250. (Box of 20ea also available)

HB5602 - Was $35.63, Now $35.44!

Shower Transport Chair Commode with Drop Arms
Padded seat fits over commode & converts into transport chair. Removable swing away footrests. Drop arm allows for easy patient transfer. 4 locking castors. Pail, lid and padded seat included. Seat height is 19 inches. Width between arms 18inches. overall width is 22 inches. Weight capacity is 250 lbs. Tool-free assembly required.

NO8805 - Was $179.05, Now $170.91!

Click HERE to shop Mountain View Medical Supply today!

Medicare Competitive Bidding and What it Means For the Consumer

2011-05-04T09:37:00.006-06:00

Chances are, you or someone you know have purchased or will have to purchase Durable Medical Equipment at some point. What is "Durable Medical Equipment"? According to Wikipedia.com, Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is a term used to describe certain Medicare benefits/items. The exact items are defined by Title XVIII the Social Security Act. Some examples are wheelchairs, iron lungs, hospital beds, blood testing strips, and only the seat-lift mechanism of a lift chair (why the seat, back and frame is not covered is still a mystery).

Competitive Bidding, or HR 6331, states among other things, that Medicare recipients will receive their DME from medical suppliers who have agreed to accept the lowest prices paid by Medicare for equipment and supplies they sell to Medicare recipients. Medicare’s intention is to reduce fraud and overall cost of DME, thus reducing the national deficit.

What they dont tell you, is that the reimbursement rate to suppliers is so minimal that only large, chain type suppliers will be able to participate in competitive bidding. In fact, all verbage in the application to be a provider is geared toward having many, many locations with one corporate office to make billing with Medicare simple. Volume, huge volume, is the only way to make any type of profit with this program. This eliminates any mom-and-pop medical supply shop from participating. Isnt that shame?

What does this mean to the Medicare Recipient? They still get the DME covered by Medicare, however where they get it from will likely change. In our experience, convenience is important for the population that Medicare serves, however recipients may no longer be able to patronize their neighborhood supplier unless that supplier is a competitive bid winner.

Another issue that has arisen with round one of the competitive bidding process is where consumers go for warranty issues for their DME. Because HR6331 is not clear on who is supposed to cover these issues, competitive bid winners are refusing to help consumers because if they do, any profit they made will be lost, and non-bid winners didnt sell the item in the first place, so why should they help? Imagine Joe, who is not able to get around without his walker, and on a fixed income, having to run around to get his broken walker fixed.

Round two of competitive bidding is in the works, because Medicare has decided it is working well. Are the best interest of our elderly population being served?

For more information from HME News, our industry voice, and CMS, visit:
Repairs
Competitive Bidding
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Technology Overload

2011-05-03T08:00:00.002-06:00

There are times when I sit in the house in total silence, no TV, no music, no computer. I am one of those that doesn't want to lose touch with life without technology. Sometimes I walk without music blasting in my ears so I can enjoy the birds and hear a squirrel scampering around in the trees above me. I need that nature fix more than I need that music fix.

Mobile phones, smart phones and now “tablets”, can keep you connected at all times to all types of technology. Phone, email, skype (video conferencing, for those of you who are not familiar), texting, camera, video, faxing, music, movies, TV, you name it, it is all at your fingertips.

The most recent internet research shows that companies with the most “like’s” on Facebook, will now get higher search result rankings. Doesn't this particular method of providing internet search results seem a bit skewed? Is this a popularity contest, or an elect-the-best-suited-candidate contest? Obviously it’s a ploy to get us to use their site more and more, thus using our technology more and more.
You would think with all of these great gadgets making our lives better and more efficient, that for instance, we would never be late for something important.

I’m sure we have all heard the saying “there is an App for that”. Have trouble getting someplace on time? There is an application that you can use that will help you with that. Have trouble losing weight? There is an app for that. There are mobile applications for just about everything. Your life can almost be run for you!

Then, that begs the question: What happens if you lose your smartphone, or your technology crashes or gets a virus? (Gasp)

New studies suggest that LCD light emitted by computers or other gadgets could be a cause of insomnia. Others argue that intellectual stimulation from using these devices in the evening could also cause insomnia.

Maybe we need a “turn off technology” day. Try it once per month, and then try it once per week. What would really happen if we did this? Would our relationships improve? Would our sleep improve? What would happen if we weren't always reachable at a moments notice? I think we would survive just fine.

Are your feet ready for spring?

2011-05-02T11:10:00.009-06:00

I dont know about your feet, but mine have been cramped in shoes, boots or heavy socks and slippers for the past 7 months! My toes are screaming to be set free and get some space from the other toes!

Upon inspection, I realized they needed a little "spring" pick-me-up before I show them in public.

Here are a few of our favorite things to help you proudly show off your tootsies in the next few weeks:

Soft Toe Separators fit between lesser toes to relieve pressure and reduce pain associated with corns, calluses, hammertoes and general "crowding".
DU765-5179-0006
$3.93/package of 6

Soapy Soles Elite Foot Scrubber The ultimate way to clean and massage your feet! This 3-in-1 foot care product scrubs, massages and stimulates your feet with three different surfaces.
Clean: Grass-like surface gently cleans your feet without bending over.
Massage: More tactile surface provides a foot massage and increases circulation.
Stimulate: Center oval provies deep stimulation to the heel and ball of the foot.
The center oval is detachable and can be replaced with the Elite Soap Dispenser. Use while standing or sitting.
Powerful suction cups hold the Elite in place. Simply rinse off and attach to the shower wall to dry.
Comes in blue..
SM03130
$17.73

STAFF PICK!
Sween Atrac-Tain Cream contains 10% Urea & A.H.A to help relieve severely dry skin. Specially formulated to provide intensive moisturization. This stuff is the BOMB!
CO1814
$12.72/5oz bottle

Help! What is a TENS unit?

2011-04-28T14:26:00.006-06:00

Maggie came to Mountain View Medical Supply today because her doctor suggested she get a TENS unit for her pain. She needed help since she had never heard of a TENS unit before today.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is the use of electric current, producted by a device to stimulate the nerves for therapy purposes, usually to treat pain.

The unit is usually connected to the skin using two or more electrodes. It is a non-invasive, safe, nerve stimulation intended to reduce both acute and chronic pain. A prescription is required to purchase a TENS unit.

Electrode patches come in mulit-day wear, or single use varieties. We offer both the TENS units and the electrodes patches.

Nova TENS 2000

NOTENS-2000

$94.29

Features dual isolated channels, constant burst, and 3 modulation modes.

UI633 2 1/4" x 2 1/2", 32/pk - $18.38

UI654 2" x 2", 4/pk - $6.64

Shop our TENS units and electrodes ONLINE

How to find a good Medicare certified nursing home

2011-04-28T10:25:00.004-06:00

If you or someone you love needs a good nursing home that is Medicare certified, there is a tool to help you find one!

The tool provides nursing home names, general information, overall rating, health inspections, nursing home staff ratings, quality measures, number of certified beds and type of facility ownership (profit or non-profit).
And, you can choose up to three homes to compare!

The site also provides Medicare's Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home, a Nursing Home Checklist, Your Rights as a Nursing Home Resident and more.

Here is how:
1) Visit www.medicare.gov/NHCompare
2) Click "Find and Compare Nursing Homes"
3) Select one of the search criteria for location and select "continue"
NOTE: Selecting a State will likely give you hundreds of nursing homes. Try narrowing it down to city or county.
4) Select "continue" again to get to your results page
5) Scroll down to see your list of results
6) To select three homes to compare, click/check the box next to the name, and then click "compare"
7) To see detailed information, click "show all" in the upper left above the list
8) You can print your comparison page by clicking "print this page" in the upper right hand corner
9) To do a new search or modify your search, click "new search" or "modify this search" in the right hand column

To access the Nursing Home Guide, Checklist and Rights documents, return to the homepage at www.medicare.gov/NHCompare and scroll down to the documents near the middle of the page.

We hope this helps you and good luck with your research!

Adjustable Bed Rail - Price Reduced!

2011-04-26T10:14:00.002-06:00

Save almost $10!

The only bed rail that adjusts in length after installation. Prevents falls as well as getting in and out of bed. Rail folds down and out of the way when not in use. Can be used on either side of the bed. Dual safety strap. At 23" high, fits most beds including pillow top mattresses.
300 lb Weight Capacity.

Was $129.72, NOW $120.42!

Spring 2011 New Arrivals - Los Angeles Rose Collection

2011-04-25T11:31:00.012-06:00

These fun and fantastic styles by LA Rose flatter any size or shape!

This mock wrap top with contrast trim and two front pockets, is available in Memento (pink, navy and a bit of silver) or Twilight (black, gray and wonderful purple colors).

LULR6622 - $25.49

This black horseshoe neckline top has subtle front shirring and two patch pockets. Available in Esprit (black, white, navy, wine and turquois) and Twilight (Black, grey and purple)

LULR6552 - $21.79

Click HERE to shop all of our New Arrivals!

Spring 2011 New Arrivals - Ecko Brand Scrubs

2011-04-22T13:09:00.010-06:00

Are you hip, cool and trendy but have to wear scrubs to work? We have scrubs you are going to love!

The Ecko Unltd. brand of clothing has launched a new Ecko line of scrubs!

Feast your eyes:

This scrub top is REVERSIBLE! The Delancey has a more professional look on one side and a more hip and fun look on the other side!
LUKOER2104 - $30.99

For men, the Mercer offers a reversible top with the trademark rhino detailing on the shoulder!
LUKOEU2651 - $34.99

This top is selling like hotcakes! The Soho is fun with a funky collar, button accents and a mini pocket on the chest.
LUKOER2105 - $24.99

Spring 2011 New Arrivals - Sassy Solids!

2011-04-21T13:58:00.006-06:00

We have brought in not one, but TWO NEW SOLID SCRUB LINES!

Take a peek:

Cherokee Workwear - You have GOT to feel these solid scrubs, they are amazing and are super comfortable! Features V-Neck, curved front yoke and tons of detail. Available in black, ceil, galaxy blue and navy.
LUCH4746 - $19.49 - $22.49

Cherokee introduces ProFlexibles, a solid new take on their popular Flexibles line. Features the same great knit side panels all in one solid color. Pant features knit waist. Available in Royal or Ceil.
LUCH2968 Top - $24.49 - $26.49
LUCH2085 Pant - $24.49 - $26.49

Click HERE to shop our full line of solid scrubs!

Spring 2011 New Arrivals - Prints Galore!

2011-04-20T10:47:00.032-06:00

Spring is Springing! (I dont think we can officially say it has sprung yet, but its close!)

And Oh Boy! Koi's spring new arrivals are FANTASTIC!

Koi 129 Bridgette top in Windmill, April, Little Friend or Charming
LUKO129 - $23.99

Koi 149 Bella top in Meadow, Blue Field or Cloud
LUKO149 - $29.99

Koi 147 Rylee top in Admiration or Tahiti
LUKO147 - $28.99

Koi 160 Kimberly top in Kamaria - figure flattering!
LUKO160 - $25.99

Koi 161 Willow top in Halle Flower
LUKO161 - $28.99

Koi 134 Demi Top in Midnight
LUKO134 - $25.99

Koi 163 Faith top in Azure
LUKO163 - $26.99

Koi 115 Kathryn top in Allure or August
LUKO115 - $23.99

To view all of our new arrivals, including solids, click HERE!

Ostomy? What you need to know

2011-04-19T11:26:00.003-06:00

By definition, an ostomy is an operation to create an opening from an area inside the body to the outside. Colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy are types of ostomies that either eliminate stool from the intestines or urine from the urinal tract.

Ostomies become necessary due to cancer of the digestive tract, disease such as Crohn’s or disorders such as ulcerative colitis. Sometimes the ostomy is permanent, sometimes it can be temporary and reversed.
Once an ostomy is created, the patient will use ostomy supplies suited to their needs, and typically a Wound and Ostomy Care Nurse (WOCN) will educate and care for the patient in the hospital during recovery.

As you can imagine, or have personal experience yourself, a new ostomy can be overwhelming! We specialize in ostomy supplies and have dealt with many customers that simply get overwhelmed once they leave the hospital and are on their own. Or, we see ostomates dealing with new issues after several years of successfully handling their ostomy.

Here are five things every ostomate needs to know.

Every ostomate should have the name and phone number of a Wound & Ostomy Care Nurse (WOCN) or Enterostomal Therapist (ET). If you don't have one, contact your local hospital, medical center or health agency and ask for one.

Research and learn about ostomy products. Most hospitals carry a single brand of supplies and that is what is sent home with the patient. The three major manufacturers are Hollister (Hollister.com), ConvaTec (Convatec.com) and Coloplast (Coloplast.com). Visit their websites, research all product lines and request free samples to try. Be sure to consult with your medical team before switching products.

Spend some time finding the right supplier. Compare pricing and be wary of large discounts or exorbitant prices. Do they ship to your home, or have a local presence in case you are in a pinch for supplies? Can you reach a live person for product support if you have a problem?

Verify what your insurance will cover when it comes to supplies. Most private insurers will pay 70-80% after deductible. Medicaid is state specific, and Medicare only allows a predetermined maximum each month, so call and verify your specific coverage.

Most importantly - You are NOT alone! The United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. is a wonderful resource for information and links. Go to www.uoaa.org for information, guidebooks, local support groups, discussion boards and much more!

For more information or to request a FREE “Information & Resources for New Ostomates” Booklet, contact Mountain View Medical Supply by calling 303-455-1300, or 800-873-7121, or email
customer.service@mvms.com

Source: Mountain View Medical Supply Information & Resources for New Ostomates
To order your FREE copy of this wonderful publication (if I do say so myself), call 800-873-7121, or order for FREE online HERE!

Chain Drugstore Vs. Us

2011-04-18T11:59:00.002-06:00

What is the difference between Mountain View Medical Supply and a chain drugstore?

We do have a few things in common. For example, we both offer wound care supplies. The difference is that drugstores offer a wide variety of basic gauze, tapes and ointments. Our medical supply store takes it to the next level and offers basic supplies up to advanced wound care supplies.

Drugstores offer walkers and some wheelchairs, and their online stores tend to offer a larger selection. At our store, we offer the best quality walkers and wheelchairs for the best prices possible. We dont have the same volume, so a product that is returned due to low-quality hinders our bottom line.

Both stores offer incontinence products such as adult diapers. Our medical supply line also includes ostomy supplies and catheters, which usually require a doctors prescription. While chain stores do deal with medicinal prescriptions, they typically dont deal with ostomy or catheter prescriptions.

Chain stores offer food supplements from vitamins to shakes such as Ensure. We offer some supplements, but we also carry liquid nutrition (which again usually requires a doctors prescription), for those that need food intravenously.

For everyday consumer items, chain drugstores can suffice, but if you have a more specific item you need, Mountain View Medical Supply can help!

To view our e-commerce website, click HERE!

Just a reminder about compression stockings...

2011-04-15T11:15:00.002-06:00

They wear out! Compression stockings usually have a lifespan of about 6 months and they wont do you any good if you dont get new ones about twice a year.

Also, be sure to ask about our reminder program!
1) Come into our store in Arvada and buy your compression stockings.
2) Fill out a reminder card with your name and address.

In six months, you will receive your reminder card along with a coupon for a discount on your next purchase!

And dont forget that we have GREAT PRICES on compression stockings, and that is BEFORE the discount coupon!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Dont forget to visit our website!

Medicare Payment Fiasco - Sound Familiar?

2011-04-14T09:29:00.003-06:00

If you are receiving Medicare paid supplies AND you have a Home Health provider, or recently entered a hospital or nursing home, or have a service provider coming to your home, this may change how your benefits get paid.

Medicare requires a combined billing of Medicare paid services and supplies. Meaning, they wont allow multiple companies to bill them for the same patient, for supplies or services on the same day, because that has led to over-ordering, overpayment and ultimately fraud of the Medicare system.

Simply put, multiple providers cannot bill Medicare for the same dates of service.

Example: If you are an ostomy patient and you recently added a home physical therapists services to your care, the physical therapist must provide you with your ostomy supplies and bill Medicare for those supplies.

The best thing to do is let all medical personnel and medical suppliers know if you have recently added new home providers or have entered a hospital or nursing home. Together, they should make sure your billing is done correctly to avoid you having to pay for anything out of pocket.

What should I do if I am not happy with the quality of care I am receiving from Medicare?

2011-04-07T14:07:00.003-06:00

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is working to make health care safer through its Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program.

According to the CMS website, this is what a QIO is:
QIOs are private, mostly not-for-profit organizations, which are staffed by professionals, mostly doctors and other health care professionals, who are trained to review medical care and help beneficiaries with complaints about the quality of care and to implement improvements in the quality of care available throughout the spectrum of care. QIO contracts are 3 years in length, with each 3-year cycle referenced as an ordinal "SOW."

According to the CMS website, this is what QIO's do:
By law, the mission of the QIO Program is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and quality of services delivered to Medicare beneficiaries. Based on this statutory charge, and CMS' Program experience, CMS identifies the core functions of the QIO Program as:
Improving quality of care for beneficiaries;
Protecting the integrity of the Medicare Trust Fund by ensuring that Medicare pays only for services and goods that are reasonable and necessary and that are provided in the most appropriate setting; and
Protecting beneficiaries by expeditiously addressing individual complaints, such as beneficiary complaints; provider-based notice appeals; violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA); and other related responsibilities as articulated in QIO-related law.

Consumers can learn more about how the QIO works in their specific state by visiting:
1) http://medicare.gov/contacts
2) Select "Do you want to find a specific organization?", then click on "Find helpful contacts and websites".
3) From there, in the dropdown, select QIO and then your specific state.

You should then be provided the state QIO organization name and phone numbers, and in most cases, a website.

With major changes in Medicare Advantage coming, quality care with basic Medicare is essential to the health of our nation.

Source: www.medicare.gov

Need a hand? And a price break?

2011-04-06T12:39:00.005-06:00

Stander, the manufacturer of bed canes, poles and the like, has had a few price decreases! (yay!)

The Stander Security Pole and Curved Grab Bar was $185.27, NOW $172.08!! AND it is also now available in white in addition to black!

Next, we have the Stander Bed Cane (wow, this guy gets around good with his Stander products!). Was $93.52, NOW $85.83!!

For our full line of products, click HERE.

Roller Coasters!

2011-04-05T12:09:00.004-06:00

Are you a fan of roller coasters? Why not plan a summer trip with a roller coaster theme! Here is some information to get you thinking and to help you plan!

HYPERCOASTERS are fast (over 60mph) and tall (over 200ft). Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey is the highest at 456 feet high and the fastest at 128mph!

STEEL LOOPERS Specialize in loops, spirals and other inverted elements. The longest is the Steel Dragon in Mie, Japan at 8,133 feet of track.

HIGH-TECH COASTERS/LIM have huge electromagnets that accelerate to top speeds in a matter of seconds.

WOOD-FRAMED COASTERS are tried and true with blind corners, rolling hills and tracks that double back on themselves. There is one that actually flips called Son of Beast at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio.

FOURTH DIMENSION COASTERS are designed so each individual car moves
independently.

FUN FACTS
To get the most bang for your buck, visit Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH and ride all 17 of their roller coasters.

The oldest operating roller coaster is Leap the Dips at Lakemont Park in Pennsylvania, built in 1902.

The first American roller coaster was actually a train for moving coal down a mountain called the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railroad. After it was no longer needed for coal, passengers rode it from the 1850’s to 1929.

Source: familyfun.go.com, myrollercoasters.com, themeparks.lovetoknow.com

Beware of Disaster Scammers

2011-04-01T12:50:00.001-06:00

With the disaster in Japan comes a new round of scammers trying to capitalize on the sympathy of those who want to help. If you want to help, here are some guidelines to ensure your money is put to good use and not into someone’s pocket for profit.

First of all, it is nearly impossible to create an efficient and effective charity overnight, so make sure the charity was around before the disaster. Try www.guidestar.org or www.charitynavigator.org to search or research organizations you may want to help.

Do not respond to email requests from supposed disaster victims. Unless you specifically know this person, these requests are almost always scams. When in doubt, make a few phone calls to confirm. Its worth your time.

Also, be wary of donation requests or videos posted by alleged victims or unfamiliar charities on social media sites such as Facebook. Scammers are great with technology and can manipulate communications to appear as though your friends and loved ones are appealing to you for help. Again, make a phone call or email directly on private email to confirm.

Do not give out personal information via phone, text or email. Legitimate charities will be pleased to receive a contribution check. Don’t send contributions with a “runner” (someone willing to take you, or come get the money physically), by wire or overnight mail/ship services.

Beware of calls, emails and texts requesting fast money. No legitimate organization will insist that you donate immediately. Again, true non-profit organizations will be happy to receive a contribution check. Scammers don't want checks because it creates a traceable paper trail.

Watch out for solicitors who employ dramatic, emotional or heart-tugging stories. Legitimate charities will accept your decline, and wont try to keep “selling” you.

We suggest finding a common charity, such as the Red Cross, and donate to them. If you are solicited for other donations, simply say you have already donated to the charity of your choice.

If you, or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, report it! Go to www.stopfraud.gov/report.

New Scrub Arrivals! Happy Shopping! Take 2

2011-04-01T11:09:00.007-06:00

Here are a few MORE new arrivals to whet your shopping appetite!

Click to view all of our New Arrivals!

LUCH2697 Golden Wings
Features a round neckline, 3/4 sleeve, faux button placket, tucks at the front neck and a fun Swiss dot fabric. Pair with black, light yellow, dark grey or white pants.

LUCH6714C Hello Kitty
Round neck, contrast black piping, inverted pleats, front angled pockets, back elastic and side vents. Pair with black, grey, bright pink or white pants.

LUCH82728 Sweet Things
This junior fit mock wrap has an adjustable tie empire waist, patch pockets, side vents and back elastic. Paire with red, black, tan or light green pants.

New Scrub Arrivals! Happy Shopping!

2011-03-31T15:10:00.012-06:00

We love, love, love it when new scrub styles arrive! We are all like kids in a candy store, calling dibs on certain styles or prints.

Click to view all of our New Arrivals!

LUCH6713C Tinker Bell Dream
FUN! V-Neck with adjustable back, front slant pockets and side vents. Pair with black, dark grey, red, pink or white pants.

LUCH82755 Indigo Girl
Junior fit, mocke wrap with horizontal pleated patch pockets, side vents, princess seam and back darts. Pair with navy, ciel or white pants.

LUCH6707C Eeyore says "Blue is the new black"
Scoop neck, elastic smocking at shoulder, angled pockets, back darts. Pair with black, ceil, bright pink or white pants.

LUCH6252C Bristol
Cute V-neck, grosgrain ribbon trim with zigzag stitch, bust darts, 3/4 elastic smock waist and sleeve. Pair with black, tan, olive green, white, wine or gray pants.

What to do with used medical supplies

2011-03-30T09:32:00.003-06:00

Approximately 2.4 million people die in the U.S. each year. Natural causes is not in the top 10 causes of death, so we can assume that most people needed medical care which probably includes medical supplies in some form or fashion.

So what do you do with left over medical supplies?

If you have unused medications, you cant return them, even if they are in their unopened, original packaging. Ask your local hospice if they can help you to destroy them, or provide you with instructions on how to destroy medications safely.

To donate supplies such as unused incontinence supplies and used equipment such as walkers or commodes, start asking around and making phone calls.

Hospitals, especially ones that specialize in certain care, or take patients with lower income, typically have a donation coordinator.

Asky anyone in the healthcare industry such as your doctor's office if they know where to donate, or if they know of a need. Most will jump at the opportunity to help you find a place to donate.

Talk to your church, local senior center or volunteer group such as Meals-On-Wheels to find a local citizen in need.

There are also national groups such as Assistance League, Project Cure and Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (FOW) that have "How to Donate" on their websites.

When we lost my mother in law a few years ago, it was important for us to make sure the donations went to someone cost free. This meant finding non-profits or places that specifically have cost free donation programs. Knowing we helped someone in their time of need was comforting.

What do you do for good health?

2011-03-29T10:58:00.009-06:00

You cant escape the staggering statistics in America about how unhealthy we are. This diagram gives it to us in plain color and its pretty alarming. People here in Colorado are able to run, walk and bike most places.

Admitting you should be more healthy can be the first step to breaking that twinkie and soda pop habit.

But where to begin?

First, make a list of healthy foods that you actually like. Try to list at least 20 items from fruits and veggies to dairy, nuts and proteins. Next to each of these foods, list how you like them prepared - raw, cooked, with sauce, etc. Make sure these are healthy foods. For example, fried chicken is not healthy, but rotisserie chicken is.

Next, make a list of the top 3 foods that you cannot live without. This can be soda, chocolate or butter. Now, list how much of each you have per day, and be honest! Cut that quantity in half and cross out your original amount and write the new quantity next to it. This is the amount you CAN have.

Make a sample menu for yourself. Allow yourself three meals, two snacks and an optional dessert. It could look something like this:
Breakfast: Instant oatmeal and a banana. Cannot live without coffee (2 cups instead of 4)
Snack: Apple
Lunch: Turkey sandwich w/baked potato chips. Cannot live without soda (1 can instead of 2)
Snack: Yogurt
Dinner: Rotisserie chicken, salad & cottage cheese.
Optional Dessert: One wrapped chocolate piece. Cannot live without chocolate (1 piece per day instead of 3 or 4)

REMEMBER:
Eat what you like to eat - why eat things that dont taste good to you? If you like a 3 egg omelette, put in two egg whites and one whole egg.

Eat in moderation - take your time and allow 30 minutes to pass before eating a bit more if you just cant shake the hunger.

Dont let yourself get too hungry - true hunger is the body telling you it needs nourishment. Nourish it with good foods, not junk food.

Learn your trigger points for eating unhealthy - for women, maybe "that time of the month" makes you eat more. Or, maybe eating out causes you to throw in the towel. Plan a little by giving yourself a few extra healthy items, or eating a piece of fruit and a glass full of water before going out to eat.

If you cant resist cheese puffs, dont buy them. Or, if you must, just buy a few of the single serving bags. That one small bag is always better than eating half or all of the big bag in one sitting.

Always keep a list of healthy foods you like and take it with you to the grocery store.

Look up nutrition information online for your favorite restaurants. Find two or three healthy options at each restaurant. You might be surprised at what you find out! For example, the new oatmeal at MickyD's has about as much sugar as a cinnamon roll.

As far as nutrition goes, you want to keep your fat and sugar grams low. If you can cut these, you are ahead of the game!

Small, yet consistent changes are the path to being healthier overall.

Next....add some exercise!

You Know Its a Super-Windy Day When...

2011-03-23T15:24:00.002-06:00

For the past few days here in the Denver Metro area in Colorado, we have had blustery days. Gusts of up to 70mph in the foothills. WHEW!

So I asked my friends this question: You know its a super windy day when...

- The pizza delivery car sign is sitting on the side of the road.

- Your neighbor is out at 10pm stapling the fence back together that has already blown down twice.

- The new piece of plastic tangled an the top of your front yard tree, out of reach, makes your husband mumble something about being "trashy" people.

- Glad that your spring break is windy and not full of a snowy blizzard.

We hope your spring break is a good one!

We do this for YOU!

2011-03-22T11:28:00.007-06:00

It is our company policy to always, always, ALWAYS shop, find and bring our customers the highest quality products at the best prices.

As most of you have probably noticed, retail prices across the board are going up. This year we have seen some serious price hikes from some of our manufacturers. While we know this is inevitable, we do question the increases, and go on the hunt for better pricing and possibly new, comparible products to keep our customers happy, and quite frankly, to keep us as competitive as possible.

We are usually successful in our hunt! For example, we recently made the change to the Dynarex brand for our stockinette, shoe covers, tongue depressors and cotton tipped applicators. While the price still went up slightly, it was nowhere near what the increase would have been had we not made the change.

If you are waiting to buy that scooter, or that lift chair, do it now. At this rate, it could save you quite a bit of money!

Click to Shop our webiste now!

New Men's Scrub Tops Have Arrived!

2011-03-18T14:44:00.004-06:00

We are very excited about the new Men's scrub top that we got in today!

Ecko Unltd. Mercer Men's top is reversible to deliver two great looks in one awesome top!

The WORKSTYLE side offers a clean, contemporary and professional look with chest and hip pockets.
Flip the top for the FREESTYLE look with a rhino logo screen print at the shoulder, contrast stitching, two pockets and amazing detailing.

Made of 60/40 cotton poly poplin. Available in Black, Navy and Grey.

To shop our entire line of Men's scrubs, click HERE

Price Reductions, just two, but its something!

2011-03-16T11:32:00.010-06:00

In all of the price increases lately, I need to have a few price decreases announced! (Thank goodness!)

First, is our Fiberglass Tape Measure (in white, not blue) 60"/150cm length x 1/4" wide. Features linen-like durable fiberglass tape that is graduated with inches on one side and centimeters on the other side.
Push button to retract. Great for work or home.

Item PS45-WHT
Was $3.50
NOW $2.67

Next is our Clinical Lite Stethoscope, weighing in at only 4 oz., this scope is made of anodized aluminum, giving it both strength and durability along with the comfort of its ultra light weight.
All parts are latex free and it comes with the Prestige Medical Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Item PSS121-BLK
Was $24.90
NOW $19.90

A Look At The Recession

2011-03-14T12:27:00.003-06:00

For some reason, when I think of the word “recession”, the image of the tide going out pops into my head. This is strange because I have lived land-locked my entire life. I have always had a fascination with the ocean, followed quickly by fear because of the vast unknown. I do know from a few beach visits, that when the tide goes out little mysteries reveal themselves on the beach. Sometimes they are tragic, and other times they can be entertaining and make you feel as if you have witnessed something special.

We have all heard the experts talk about the recession (are we still in it, or out of it?) and most viewpoints, for me, invoke fascination and usually fear. What would really happen to America if we sank into another Great Depression? How would my kids function without a cell phone, internet or fast food? I'm fascinated by that very thought since my childhood was filled with day-long bike riding with other kids and packed lunches. My grandmother spoke often of the Great Depression and having to choose butter or jam for her homemade biscuit, but not both. Milk, eggs and butter were traded for flour, feed and shoes, and if you didn’t have a farm or garden, fresh produce was a luxury. I fear having to share my house with other family members because that is the only way we might be able to afford to live. I haven't tried my hand at a garden for years, and the last time was not what I would call a success.

I do feel like I am somewhat prepared for the worst and can “buckle down” because in my lifetime, I have lived somewhat without. I have been given the gift of first hand accounts shared with me on how to literally live without. However, the generation that grew up during the Great Depression is shrinking, leaving us with fewer experienced resources to rely on. We in America have endured 13 recessions since the crash of 1929, not including the one we are in.

With the earthquake and tsunami events unfolding in Japan, we can only assume our world economy will have its own aftershocks. Just when things started to show a bit of recovery, mother nature reminds us how small humans are on her planet.

Diagnostic Instrument Price Reductions!

2011-03-09T11:11:00.010-07:00

Adscope 641 Sprague Rappaport Stethoscope

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Professional Blood Pressure & Stethoscope Combo Kit

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Prosphyg 775 Economy Blood Pressure

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