If your loved one is having difficulty getting up and down from a sofa or chair, it might be time to consider purchasing them a power lift chair. Enjoy these tips to help you pick out the perfect chair, courtesy of Brevard Medical:

• How many positions does the power lift chair have?

You’ll soon notice that lift chairs come with descriptions such as “Two position,” “Three position,” or “Infinite position.” The difference between a two and three position is that a three position can go into full 90-degree recline, while a two position allows for a 45-degree recline. Infinite position lift chairs come with two motors that allow the footrest to move independently of the back portion, allowing for an extensive range of positions.

• Is this lift chair the right size for my loved one?

Just like regular recliners, lift chairs come in a variety of sizes. In order for your relative to feel completely comfortable, you need to make sure you get the right size for them. If it’s too tall, their feet may not touch the floor. If it’s too small, it could cause a strain on their lower back. We recommend purchasing a power lift chair only obtaining the height and approximate weight of the person for whom you are purchasing it.

• Which type of covering is best?

If your loved one have a problem with incontinence, it might be best to forgo the cloth-covered lift chair and get one with leather instead. The opposite is true if they sweat a lot. In that case, the cloth one will better serve them.

• What does their space look like?

Most models extend once reclined, which could be a problem if your loved one’s living room offers little spare room. Special models are available, and can be placed against the wall, sliding open without banging into the area behind it.

• Why do they need the chair?

A lift chair offers a variety of amenities, from heated seats to cup holders, as well as lift speed variation and vibrating seats. If your relative experiences aches and pains, these features can help increase their comfort levels. We’ll help you find the unique qualities that set your perfect chair apart from the rest.

To learn about some of the terminology and other features of powered lift chairs, reach out to us by phone at 321-453-3370  or online. You can also view the lift chairs we carry in our online catalog.

If you’re dreading the holiday crowds at the malls and big box stores, we’d like to offer an alternative—shopping at your local HME! While we may not be the first place you think of when it comes to holiday gifts, we actually carry a number of items that can delight your loved ones during this festive season:

1. Lift chairs

If your loved one has been having an increasingly difficult time getting up and down from the sofa, a lift chair could be just the ticket! These handy powered pieces of furniture will lift your relative up into a standing position, so they don’t have to struggle out of a seated position. In addition to being comfortable, lift chairs can also allow your loved one to age safely in-home.

2. Mobility Scooters

74 percent of mobility scooter users said that without their scooters, they would not make the same kinds of trips. If your loved one isn’t getting around like they used to, this gift could open their world back up. From vacations to simple trips to the grocery store, a scooter has a variety of uses for those with limited mobility.

3. Aids to Daily Living

This section of our website is filled with all the things you never knew you needed! Try our reachers, which allow your loved one to grasp objects easily. We also offer accessories for their walkers. The stocking stuffer possibilities are endless!

4. Compression Socks

While many people think compression socks just come in dull colors, this couldn’t be further from the truth! We carry compression socks in a wide variety of fun hues. If your loved one is on their feet all day, compression socks can offer relief to aching muscles. Conversely, if they’re frequently in a cramped or seated position, compression socks can help prevent blood clots.

The holidays don’t have to be as stressful. Stop by Brevard Medical and let us help you pick out a gift that’s fun, affordable and practical for your loved one.

Flu season is in full swing, and if you’re unfortunate enough to have caught the bug, chances are your friends and family are plying you with advice on how to combat it. However, there’s no shortage of myths and misunderstandings when it comes to influenza. Brevard Medical would like to address some of the more common ones:

• You can get the flu from the flu shot.

It takes one to two weeks for the flu vaccine to work, so if you’re infected before you receive the vaccine or are infected shortly after receiving it, you will become sick. Because of this, many people associate the shot with getting sick.

• Once you get the flu shot, you’re 100% protected.

While the flu shot is effective in preventing the flu, you still need to take additional precautions, such as washing your hands frequently and taking anti-viral medication if you were exposed to the virus before you received the shot.

• Going outside on a cold day with wet hair will give you the flu.

Influenza is caused by a virus, so the only way you can catch it is to become exposed to the virus—and wet hair on a cold day does not increase your chances of exposure.

• Feed a cold, starve a fever.

Actually, when you’re fighting the flu you need to increase your liquid intake. To decrease how much you eat will cut back on your hydration levels, so starving yourself is counter-intuitive.

• Chicken soup can help you recover.

While chicken soup soothes sore throats and provide the liquids you need to combat the flu, it doesn’t have any true curative properties.

At Brevard Medical, we’re all about helping you stay in the best health possible. We know how much havoc the flu can wreck on those with respiratory issues. If you need a refill on oxygen or need to replace some of the parts on your oxygen concentrators, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We offer respiratory services, and carry a wide variety of oxygen concentrators and oxygen concentrator parts in our online catalog.

Home is where the heart is, but if you’re a wheelchair user, you’re probably already familiar with the fact that most American homes are not built with wheelchair users in mind. That’s why Brevard Medical has put together this list of the most common home modifications that need to be done to make wheelchair users happy and comfortable:

Wheelchair Accessible Features Inside the House

• General
  • Doorways need to be at least 32 inches wide.
  • Hallways need to be at least 36 inches wide.
  • It is best to go with tile or hardwood rather than carpet.
  • Outlets need to be at least 15 inches above the floor.
  • Thermostats and light switches should be no higher than 48 inches off of the ground.
  • Lower doorknobs for easy access.
  • Front loading washer and dryer.
• Bedroom
  • Multi-level drawers and shelves for clothes
  • Mattress height the same height as the seat cushion of the wheelchair.
• Wheelchair Accessible Bathrooms
  • All bathtubs/showers should be replaced with walk-in showers.
  • Walk-in showers need to have a seat and hand-held shower head.
  • A taller toilet.
  • Grab bars in the walk-in shower and near the toilet.
  • Cabinets should not be placed under the sink so there is room for a wheelchair to slide underneath the sink.
  • Adequate space between the walk-in shower, toilet and sink.
• Kitchen
  • Multi-level counter tops.
  • Side-by-side fridge in order to have easy access to the fridge and freezer.
  • A raised dishwasher.
  • Place the microwave on top of a counter.
  • Have front controls on the stove.
  • No cabinets under the sink so a wheelchair can slide underneath the sink.
  • Adequate space between the fridge, oven, sink, counters and kitchen table.

Wheelchair Accessible Features Outside the house

• Sidewalks with mobility ramps to doorways.
• Ramps should include handrails and curbs to prevent accidents.
• Paved paths throughout yard for easy mobility.
• Raised garden beds for gardening.
• Vertical platform lifts for easy porch accessibility

With all of these great tips you are now able to build a new home or remodel the one you have to give you the accessibility you need in your wheelchair or scooter.  Brevard Medical wants you to feel comfortable and be happy in your home. We can help you with some home modifications, including stairlift and modular ramp installation.

Creating a comfortable and flexible sleep therapy is all about customization. Every individual has a different sleep cycle and preferences during their slumber. At Brevard Medical, we want to make your nightly re-charge as effective as possible. See how utilizing these four CPAP accessories in your nightly routine can help you sleep more effectively night after night!

Heated CPAP Humidifiers: A common complaint among CPAP users is that they wake up with dried sinuses and itchy noses. This can happen year round, but often gets worse as the winter months begin.  An easy solution is to use a heated CPAP humidifier. It will moisten the air coming from your CPAP machine, giving relief to your dried-out nostrils.

Heated CPAP Tubing: CPAP users who decide to install a humidifier sometimes find themselves battling “rainout,” where water builds up within the CPAP hose, making it potentially difficult to use. One solution is to purchase a heated CPAP tube, which eliminates rainout through a controlled temperature and humidity setting.

CPAP Hose Lift: Active sleepers often have trouble with their CPAP hoses become tangled as they change positions throughout the night.  A CPAP hose lift can help by keeping the tubing from lying next to you as you sleep.

CPAP Nasal Pads: CPAP nasal pads can help your mask feel more open and allow you to sleep more comfortably. The pads are designed to prevent skin irritations and marks from the mask if it fits too tightly.

CPAP Central is your one-stop shop for everything CPAP. Our CPAP machines, masks, and accessories can help take your sleep apnea therapy to the next level. Visit our online catalog to see our complete line of CPAP comfort items.

Approximately one out of every eight women will develop invasive breast cancer during her life. While there is no way to completely eliminate your chances of getting cancer, there are some things women can do to decrease their risk:

We’ve all heard that “breast is best” for baby, but it has added benefits for mom as well. By breastfeeding your infant, you also decrease your risk for cancer.

• Cut back on alcohol intake.

The American Cancer Society states that women who have two to five drink a day have 1.5 times the risk of developing breast cancer than women who don’t drink at all. Drinking can increase your chances of developing other cancers as well.

• Increase your physical activity.

Evidence shows that regular, moderate exercise can decrease a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer by up to 18 percent.

• Keep a healthy weight after menopause.

Prior to menopause, most of women’s estrogen comes from their ovaries, while a small amount comes from fat tissue. That ratio flips after menopause, enabling a higher concentration of fatty tissue can increase estrogen levels, further raising the risk of breast cancer. Being overweight can also add to insulin levels, which is linked to a higher risk of cancer.

• Don’t smoke.

There’s now evidence that smoking increases the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women.

• Limit hormone therapy.

It’s common for women to receive hormone therapy in order to control the symptoms of menopause. However, higher doses over long periods of time can increase the risk of breast cancer. The Mayo Clinic recommends that women take the lowest dose possible and ask their doctor to monitor the length of time they are on hormone supplements.

• Avoid radiation.

Computerized tomography and other medical-imaging methods use a large amount of radiation. There are some cases where it is vital to have these tests done, but if a woman is already at a high risk of developing breast cancer, she might want to ask her doctor about alternatives.

• Eat a Mediterranean diet.

Healthy eating is good for you in general, and some of the foods found in Mediterranean diets is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. These include extra-virgin olive oil, fish and nuts.

While there is no sure-fire way to completely eliminate your risk, following these steps can possibly reduce your chances of developing this pervasive disease. At Brevard Medica,  we are here for you and all your medical needs.

They say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. However, when it comes to your age and achieving new health milestones, nothing could be further from the truth! There’s a lot you can do to improve your heath and functionality well into your 60’s and beyond. Since September is Healthy Aging Month, Brevard Medical is excited to provide you hints and tips to help you age like the best:

• Do Daily Stretches

Even five minutes a day can help. Stretching increases flexibility, relieving discomfort from arthritis and other chronic conditions. Doing this daily can also help strengthen your muscles and sense of balance, which may mean a lower risk of a fall.

• Workout

You don’t need to do anything strenuous. Simply taking a walk around the block can be beneficial for your health. Many seniors find that as they start exercising, they expand what kinds of movements they’re able to do. Strengthening your muscles also has the added potential benefit of lowering your blood pressure and weight!

• Preventative maintenance

Things such as yearly checkups, flu shots and getting screened for cancer are key to keeping your health up. It’s also important to keep your eye on high blood pressure or the early stages of diabetes.

• Stay Connected

This can get harder as we age, but maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family members has been proven to extend people’s lifetime. Making an effort to stay connected to your loved ones helps you be proactive in your own health.

• Maintain a Positive Outlook

If you see the glass as half full… then it really is! A nine-year study found that seniors who described themselves as optimistic had a 55 percent lower risk of dying during that time period than those who described themselves as pessimists. Having a positive outlook on life can impact your physical health as well for the better.

By following these steps, you’ll hopefully be able to boost your personal wellness throughout your Golden Years. At Brevard Medical, we specialize in helping individuals age in-home. Call us today to find out how we can equip you to remain in the same household where you have formed so many life-long relationships.

What do pregnant women, frequent flyers and athletes all have in common? They can all benefit from compression socks!

A compression sock (or compression stocking) is a garment that covers your calves, part of or all of your foot and sometimes your lower thighs. They aid in blood circulation, and are often prescribed to patients with lower extremity conditions such as various venous disorders or blood clots.

However, compression socks aren’t limited to those with specific medical conditions; they can be beneficial to many others as well:

Frequent Flyers- Staying in a sitting position for long periods of time is not good for blood circulation. In fact, it can increase the risk for deep-vein thrombosis, or blood clots. Compression socks can help by boosting circulation to the lower extremities while seated. They can also help with affects associated with altitude change.

Pregnant Women- Many women are familiar with that deep ache and tiredness that comes from carrying the extra weight of a child all day. One of the benefits of compression socks is increased support and comfort, giving women relief from tired, crampy legs and swollen feet and ankles.

Athletes- If you’re in the type of sport that requires a lot of running, you’re probably familiar with the fatigue that sets in during and after training sessions. Compression socks offer relief to your muscles and joints by encouraging increased blood flow to the affected limbs.

Nurses or Caregivers- From being on your feet all day to lifting patients, you put a lot of strain on your muscles and joints. By increasing lower extremity circulation, compression socks can aid in your overall comfort.

Office Workers- The boosted blood flow from compression socks has the same benefits for office workers as it does for the frequent flyer, since they’re both in a sitting position for extended periods of time.

Retail workers: Let’s face it, standing on your feet all day is exhausting. One way you can give yourself relief is by putting on a pair of compression socks. They can help you the same way they help nurses and caregivers.

The best part about compression socks is that they don’t have to cramp your style! They come in all shapes, sizes and colors, from the crew cut to thigh-high. We have a wide variety, from colorful striped compression socks to invisible hose. Call us today, or check out our online catalog.

Summertime—the word conjures up sunny days, beaches, vacations and relaxation. But this idyllic time of year also has its downsides—bug bites, thunderstorms and extreme heat. If you live with COPD, you know how hard hot days are! At Brevard Medical Equipment, we encourage you to take advantage of all the benefits of summer while still taking health precautions. That’s why we’re offering the following tips on how to beat the heat:

• Stay inside as much as possible between 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., especially on the days where the heat and the humidity are at their most extreme. If you don’t have air conditioning at your house, go someplace that does during this time. Places such as the mall or the public library are good spots to take refuge in. If you’re in your golden years, your community may also have a senior center for you to stay at as well.
• If you must be outside, concentrate your activities during the morning or evening, when the sun is less intense. Make sure you take plenty of breaks in an air conditioned room.
• Increase your water intake. This is important in helping thin the mucous, which helps ease COPD symptoms. You should also avoid sugary and alcoholic drinks, as these can also contribute to dehydration.
• Invest in a dehumidifier—in fact, have several throughout the house. Like the old saying goes, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” While we don’t completely agree with that—heat is bad for COPD—relieving those awful symptoms that come with humidity can go a long way to helping you feel better.

Remember, it’s not worth it to end up in the hospital because you pushed yourself too hard. The experts at Brevard Medical Equipment can help. We carry portable oxygen concentrators and accessories. We can also come service your oxygen concentrator in an emergency. Stop by our location today to start breathing better today!

If you’ve made the decision to age in-home, chances are you’ll eventually need an accessibility solution such as a stairlift. Stairlifts can be a major investment, so it’s not a decision most take lightly. Here are some questions we recommend you ask before selecting your new stairlift, courtesy of Brevard Medical Equipment:

• Who will install the stairlift?

Most places that sell stairlifts will also install them, but not always. Make sure that whoever does install the stairlift is authorized to do so by the manufacturer. Some stairlift manufacturers will not honor the warranty if it was not installed by an authorized installer.

• Is there enough room on my staircase for a stairlift?

There are many adaptable fittings that can make installing a stairlift a reality, even for narrow staircases. Our experts can evaluate your home ahead of time to make sure the stairlift is the best fit for your home.

• What kind of stairlift should I get? 

Brevard Medical Equipment carries stairlifts for both straight and curved staircases. Typically, you will need a curved stairlift if there is a landing on your staircase, but you can choose two straight stairlifts as well. We also offer heavy-duty stairlifts for users who weigh 300 pounds or more.

• How much will the stairlift cost?

The analogy we like to use is that installing a stairlift is like installing carpet—the cost all depends on what you get, and how much of it you need!

• How easy is it to use the stairlift?

If you have limited manual dexterity due to arthritis or other conditions, look for a stairlift with light-touch controls. Some models come with remote controls, which can be convenient if you have more than one person using the stairlift.

• What safety features should I look for?

 Look for things such as seats that can swivel for you to get on and off easily, but will lock in place when it’s moving. You should also ask if your stairlift comes with sensors on the foot platform that stop the unit if there’s an obstruction in its path.

Brevard Medical Equipment is here to help you move independently in your own home. Call us today to schedule an appointment to get an evaluation of your home.