Health Insurance: How Ya Doin'?

I recently had a conversation with my favorite Aunt who is in her mid-sixties, and she updated me on the "health insurance hell" she has recently been enduring. 

Her existing insurance provider, which she purchased on her own, out of pocket, decided to drop her.

She doesn't qualify for Medicaid.

She isn't ready to accept Social Security retirement yet, so she doesn't qualify for Medicare. 

So, her only option appears to be utilizing the state health insurance exchange.  Or, go without health insurance and face a penalty, which would be a risky move.

In the process she is required to get herself NOT qualified, so she has had to divulge all of her intimate financial information and prove she is in fact a citizen of the United States (with more copies of intimate information).  She has spent hours on the telephone, had several face to face meetings, not to mention making a mess of her important files (which adds more stress).  This has literally become a part time job for her because, of course, there are deadlines.

And she isn't even done yet. 

Her frustration oozes through to me and I don't know what to say, except to email her a link for a little bit of comic relief: 
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/10/27/you-will-probably-want-to-see-this-saturday-night-live-skit-mocking-the-obamacare-website/

Withered Corpse Game

This game has been around a while but it is great fun for about 8 years-old and up.  You need 2 or more people to play.

HOW TO PLAY:  Prepare the "body parts" and place in individual bowls or cups.  Create a list with answer spaces for each player, of the "body parts" and hand out to each player. 
In a darkened room, recite the spooky poem as you pass around the cups/bowls for each player to feel.  When you turn on the lights, have each player write down what they think was really in each cup or bowl. 

Once upon a Halloween night

Living in this spooky town

Was a man who dies of freight

Bearing the name of Brown.

Many and many a year has passed

Since they buried Brown away,

But his withering corpse we've here amassed

Dug up from his tomb today!

Here is his brain, which feels no pain.

(pass around a wet squishy tomato)

Here are his eyes, frozen in surprise.

(pass around the enxt cup which holds two frozen peeled grapes)

Here is his heart, nevermore to start! 

(pass around a lump of bread dough)

Here is his hair, once so fair!

(pass around a clump of unstrung yarn or string)

A few drops of blood, the rest turned to mud!

(pass a cup with a little catsup)

One hand all alone, rotting flesh and bone.

(plastic glove filled with mud and a few sticks)

Now touch his ear, which does not hear!

(pass around a dried apricot)

And here is his nose, cold in his repose.

(pass a cup with a dried carrot)

All that's left of his skin are these worms within!

(pass wet, cooked spaghetti noodles)

Poor Brown is dead and withered away,

Can you guess what we really felt today?

Better Living Corner: "I want to 'jazz up' my walker"

A customer recently came into Mountain View Medical Supply wanting to "jazz up" her walker.  We have the perfect product to "jazz up" 4-wheeled walkers!
Nova now offers seat and back cover sets to add glam, style and a luxurious feel to your Nova 4-wheeled walker.  Stand out from the crowd and make a statement with 7 different prints or colors to choose from.  Make it all about YOU!
Fits all Nova 4-wheeled walker models (except 4214, 4215, 4216, 4202, 4207 and 4010).
Set includes one seat cover and one back cover.
NO4007xx - $18.18/set

Safari Cheetah

Grey Dusk

Black Puma

Blue Midnight

Blue Hues

Incontinence Price Reduction!

It seems these days that prices only go UP, but this is not the case with a select bunch of our incontinence products because some prices have actually gone DOWN!  Check it out:

To shop our full line of incontinence products, click HERE!

Tena Ultra Diaper, SC67x00, was $30.13-$39.45, NOW $29.20-$39.64!

Attends Waistband Diapers, PGBRW10xxx was $21.25-$23.20, NOW $16.04!

Attends Breathable Diapers, PGBRBxxx, was $15.22-$20.09, NOW $12.84-$17.11

Prevail Guards for Men, FQPV-811 was $5.18, NOW $4.92!

Prevail Pull-Up Super-Plus Diapers, FQPVS-51X was $17.28, NOW $14.47!

 

Prevail PM Extra Diapers, FQNTB-012 was $15.00, NOW $14.22!

New Cast & Bandage Covers

Need to waterproof a site on your body?  No problem, we now carry the AquaGuard cast and bandage covers!

AG50015RBX - 9"x9" Sheet, box of 5ea - $19.52
Great for protecting Hickman catheters, ports, stomas and PICC lines

AG50016RBX - 34" Long Glove, box of 3ea - $10.38
Great for protecting PICC/IV sites, casts, wounds & dressings and incisions

Ostomates: The Flu And What To Do

Adapted from The Flu And What To Do, Ostomy Association of Metro Denver, Sept-Oct 2013

The flu brings with it headaches, upset stomach, diarrhea, muscle aches and pains!  The advice most given:  plenty of fluids and rest in bed.  This remains sound medical advice for the general attack of the virus.  But if your case of the flu includes that "bug-a-boo" diarrhea, and you are an ostomate, you may find the following hints helpful.

For those with a colostomy, remember your intestine is really washing itself out and it is not wise to irrigate during this time.  After diarrhea has stopped, you will have a sluggish colon for a few days, so again, "leave it alone".  Start irrigation again after a few days when your colon has had a chance to return to normal. 

For the ileostomate, diarrhea is a greater hazard.  Along with the excess water discharge, there is a loss of electrolytes and vitamins that are necessary in maintaining good health.  This loss is usually referred to as a loss of fluid which in turn, brings a state of dehydration.  Ileostomates must restore electrolyte balance.  First, eliminate all solid food.  Second, obtain potassium safely and effectively from tea, bullion, and ginger ale.  Third, obtain sodium from saltine crackers or salted pretzels.  Fourth, drink a lot of water.  Cranberry juice and orange juice also contain potassium, while bullion and tomato juice are good sources of sodium. 

Vomiting also brings the threat of dehydration.  If it is severe and continuing, your doctor should be notified, or go to the ER.  You should also know that diarrhea may be symptomatic of partial obstruction or an acute attack of gastroenteritis.  Since the treatment of these two entities is entirely different, a proper diagnosis should be made as rapidly as possible if obstruction is suspected (because of localized cramping).  A physician should be sought immediatly. 

So you can see why it is so important to determine whether the diarrhea is caused by obstruction or gastroenteritis.  If you do not know and are not 100% certain of what you are doing, or what is going on, check immediately with your doctor. 

Habits of Supremely Happy People

Adapted from The Huffington Post, by Kate Bratskeir, 09/16/2013

Martin Seligman theorizes that while 60 percent of happiness is determined by our genetics and environment, the remaining 40 percent is up to us. 

He describes three different kinds of happy lives: 

The Pleasant Life, in which you fill your life with as many pleasures as you can.

The Life of Engagement, where you find a life in your work, parenting, love and leisure.

The Meaningful Life, which consists of knowing your highest strengths and using them to belong to and in the service of something larger than you are.

While pleasure, engagement and meaning sound like big feats to tackle, there are habits you can add to your life that have helped people be more happy!

Surround Yourself with Happy People

Joy is contagious so dump the Debbie Downers (or limit your time with them), and spend more time with uplifting people.

Cultivate Resilience

Resilience, not happiness, is the opposite of depression:  Happy people know how to bounce back from failure.  As the Japanese proverb goes, “Fall seven times and stand up eight.”

TRY to be Happy

It’s as simple as it sounds.  Just trying to be happy can boost your emotional well-being.  Replace doom and gloom thoughts with happy thoughts.

Be Mindful of the Good

Take the time to notice the things that go right or make you happy & you will feel more rewarded throughout the day. 

Laugh Out Loud

Laughter is the best medicine.  It releases happy brain chemicals that make us better equipped to tolerate both pain and stress.  Who doesn’t love to LOL?

Devote Some Time to Giving

Volunteer work is good for both mental and physical health, and those who do volunteer have less depression and can experience “the helper’s high”.

Make Exercise a Priority

Exercise gives you endorphins.  Endorphins make you happy.  Exercise has been shown to ease depression, anxiety and stress, plus it improves health.

Small Talk vs. Deep Conversation

Balance “shootin’ the breeze” with a more substantive, current conversation for increased satisfaction.  Remember, “I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings” is one of the top five regrets of the dying.

Make a Point to Listen

When you really listen, you open up your ability to take in more knowledge, versus blocking the world out with your own words or distracting thoughts.  Good listening strengthens relationships and leads to more satisfying experiences and increased well-being.

Look on the Bright Side

Optimism touts health benefits such as less stress, better pain tolerance and longevity.  When confronted by a bad situation, optimists perceive it as a challenge and try harder. 

Value a Good Mixed Tape

Music is powerful.  Researchers found that people who listened to music regularly had the same decreased anxiety symptoms as those who got 10 hour-long massages.  Of course choosing the right music and songs is important.

Go Outside

Just 20 minutes of fresh air promotes a sense of vitality.  Remember that nature is fuel for the soul.