Halloween is a fun time of year that involves costumes, treats and parties. But, it can often be a challenge to those who are living with limited mobility. Here are a few tips on how to have a fun Halloween if you can’t get around as well as you’d like:

Turn your device into costume

If you are taking a little one door-to-door to get treats from the neighbors, get into the spirit of it by turning your mobility device into a costume. If you use a scooter or a wheelchair, there are some great ways to incorporate those, such as using cardboard to create a box shape and turning it into something that looks like a vehicle. Or, you can drape it in white cloth, letting it billow behind you as if you are a ghost. If you have a cane, you can turn that into a witch’s broom or the Grim Reaper’s scythe.

Use fall colors

If turning your device into some kind of costume is too elaborate for you, try incorporating seasonal fall colors and decorations. Take some fall leaf garland and entwine it around your wheelchair or cane, or use some cardboard to make the wheels look like giant pumpkins. You could even attach an animatronic Halloween character to the back of the wheelchair so that it pops up and scares other trick-or-treaters.

Wear easy costumes to parties

Your device will need to be able to fit in and out of entryways, so make sure you can slip the portion of the costume that goes over the wheelchair easily. This is also applicable for using the bathroom; you wouldn’t want to struggle with getting it off when you have the need to.

Here at Brevard Medical, we encourage everyone to have a fun and safe Halloween. We carry a number of devices to aid in mobility, including wheelchairs and wheelchair accessories.

Your doctor may have advised you to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, but that can sometimes be a challenge! But, since September is officially Fruits and Veggies month, we thought we would share with you some stealthy ways to sneak more of them into your diet:

Breakfast

For many people, breakfast can be a rushed affair. It’s tempting to just grab a muffin or something from the drive-through to satisfy that morning hunger. But, with a little bit of prepping the night before, you can have a morning meal that includes fresh fruits and veggies. Cut up some fruit just before bed and throw them on some instant oatmeal or yogurt in the morning. Still don’t have time? There are some great mason jar oatmeal recipes here. Instant breakfast, made a week in advance, and full of fresh fruit!

Lunch

A spinach salad is a great way to not only get a lot of veggies, but also those leafy greens that are so great for heart health. If you’re just not into salads, another option is to pile vegetables high on your favorite sandwich—you can even change it up by adding fruit. Ham and pineapple go great together, as do turkey and apple.

Snack

Everyone needs their sweet tooth satisfied, so why not do that with some dried fruit? Make sure you read the labels, however, to make sure sugar hasn’t been added.

Dinner

For dishes such as casseroles, it’s really easy to add more veggies without really noticing. Take whatever casserole recipe you like best and at least double the amount of vegetables the recipe calls for.

Just a few small changes is all it takes to start on the road to better health! For more ways to increase your overall health, check out some of the items we have in our online catalog.

A high cholesterol can have a number of negative health impacts, including your heart. Maybe your doctor’s been on you lately about getting your cholesterol level down. Well, since September is National Cholesterol Education Month, what better time than to start a few life! Below are five easy steps to get on the road to better cholesterol:

Get rid of a few pounds

We’ve all heard this one a few too many times! But, don’t let it intimidate you—studies have shown that even shedding a few pounds is enough to lower your cholesterol number.

Lots of heart-healthy foods

Hey, maybe you’ve stopped getting dinner at the drive-in, and that’s a great first step! The next step is to add foods that will further decrease bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. This can be done by eating more fish, which are higher in omega-3 fatty acids, as well as whole grains and leafy greens.

Exercise every day

It doesn’t have to be anything extreme. In fact, 30 to 60 minutes of walking every day can be great for lowering your cholesterol number. If that’s not an option, try other forms of exercise such as dancing or spinning.

Stop smoking

Even if you’re not worried about high cholesterol, you should still seek to end this habit. There’s numerous medical studies on how it’s just not good for you, but it’s especially bad for your heart—and your cholesterol level. Plus, once you stop smoking, it will make those 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day so much easier!

Moderate alcohol

Don’t start drinking if you don’t already. However, if you already imbibe, very moderate amounts on a daily basis can be good for your cholesterol. That means no more than one or two drinks a day for a man or one drink a day for a woman.

Motility Solutions wants you to lead a healthier lifestyle—that’s why we’re in the business that we’re in! For more great lifestyle changes, head to our online catalog and see what we offer to help you feel better.

Yes, you CAN lower your cholesterol

You’ve been using your CPAP machine for a while now, and it just doesn’t seem to be working out. You’ve switched out masks, you’ve adjusted the setting, and you started using a humidifier, and still you can’t fall asleep while wearing it.

This is not an unfamiliar plight to many CPAP users, and it contributes to a high rate of non-compliance. However, it might not be you—it might be the machine. And the good news is, CPAP is not the only thing that can treat sleep apnea.

The treatment we will focus on today is Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure, or BiPAP.

BiPAP machines are ideal for those who need to use higher air pressure to treat their sleep apnea. One of the things that keeps people from falling asleep while using a CPAP is the constant pressure. A BiPAP machine has two pressure settings: one for when you inhale and one for when you exhale. They’re known as IPAP and EPAP

• IPAP stands for inspiratory positive airway pressure. When you inhale, the machine goes into this mode and pushes a higher level of air through your throat.
• EPAP stands for expiratory positive airway pressure. When you exhale, the BiPAP machine goes into EPAP mode and gives a lower level of pressure.

This constant relief of pressure makes it much easier for those living with sleep apnea to fall asleep. It can also be ideal for those who are living with another type of respiratory condition or with congestive heart failure.

When you get your BiPAP machine, you may notice that it looks a lot like a CPAP machine. Both use masks, tubes and headgear. However, the functionality differences can be the deciding factor in how well you sleep. Brevard Medical carries BiPAP supplies in our online catalog. Be sure to talk to a physician or respiratory therapist before you change your treatment options.

Your home is your castle. Home is where the heart is. There’s no place like home. So why is it that so many Older Americans are faced with the prospect of moving out of the place where they’ve spent so many years and made so many memories?

Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to make your home the place of comfort you’ve always known it as. Today’s blog will focus specifically on how to make the bathroom a more accessible place:

• Shower chairs. These are great if you have trouble standing for a long period of time or if you need to use a cane to get around. You simply put the waterproof chair in your tub or shower and voila! You can now sit down and let the water flow over you. It also eliminates the need to sit at the bottom of tub to get clean, because if you have trouble standing up, chance are, getting out of the tub can be a real pain as well.
• Handheld shower wands. These are equipped with a handy on/off button, so you can control the water flow from your shower chair. It means you don’t have to lean forward to turn the water on and off. Such motions can be really detrimental if you have had recent hip surgery.
• Elevated toilet seats. These make it so that you don’t have to lower yourself so far down when you use the commode, which can be a real saver for your knees and hips. Many of them also come with grab bars, so it makes it easier for you to get up when you’re done.

Brevard Medical wants to help you remain independent for as long as possible. That’s why we carry these and other bathroom safety supplies in our online catalog.

If you are one of 24 million Americans living with COPD, then you know how it feels—like you’re constantly breathing through a straw! While portable oxygen concentrators such as the ones sold through Brevard Medical can help alleviate some of the symptoms, there are a number of things you can do on your own that will also get you breathing easier:

Harmonica Therapy

It sounds silly, but it actually works! When you breathe in, the instrument makes a sound—same as when you breathe out. It’s unique among the woodwind instruments in the regards. Because of that, it’s very helpful it helping you learn how to control your breath. Plus, it increases lung capacity.

Take Yoga Lessons

Yoga can relax you, which can help you breathe easier. It teaches you to listen to your body, which is beneficial when you are living with a chronic illness. Plus, it’s great exercise. Those who live with a chronic respiratory illness often find it difficult to exercise. Anything that takes your breath away can be scary! But, yoga gives you a good workout without overtaxing you

Going for walks

Just like with yoga, going for a regular walk every day can help you get exercise without making you breathe heavily. With regular exercise, you can increase your lung function and lose weight. Often, losing weight can do wonders with easing the symptoms of COPD.

Volunteering in the Community

Giving back to your friends and neighbors can give you a sense of well-being that’s important to maintaining a healthy attitude and outlook on life. Such a state of being can impact how well you physically and emotionally cope with a chronic illness.

We here at Brevard Medical can help you access the medical equipment you need to alleviate the symptoms of COPD. However, the above actions can aid you in other ways, and we encourage you to try them!

Every year, 743,000 Older Americans have to be hospitalized because of non-fatal falls. It can be very costly to experience a fall—the Center for Disease Control estimates that in 2013 alone, the direct medical cost associated with falls amounted to $34 billion.

However, by using your walker properly, you can reduce your likelihood of a fall. Below are some tips on how to best prevent such a traumatic occurrence:

Do you have the right walker?

Walkers that have wheels on the bottom are not ideal for those who are worried about stability. Conversely, those who are worried about putting weight on their knees or feet should avoid walkers without wheels. The reason why is because wheeled walkers allow you to put your body weight against the device itself. Brevard Medical carries both types in our online catalog—you need to choose the one that’s right for you.

Is the grip comfortable?

If you’re not hanging on properly, then you risk a fall—but many people don’t hang on properly because it’s uncomfortable! Often, those with arthritis will have issues gripping the handle. You can buy covers for the handles that make them larger, so they’re friendlier to hands with arthritis. Or, you can get foam covers that make gripping them in general a little more comfortable.

Is it the right size?

The height of a walker should be even with your wrists when they’re at a resting position. Also, when you grip the walker, both your shoulders and your back should easily relax. A walker that’s too high or too low can pose tripping hazards.

Brevard Medical Equipment strives to make sure your life is as comfortable—and safe— as possible. We offer a variety of services that can ensure you a better quality of life, whether or not you use a walker.

June is Men’s Health Month, and last week, we covered some of the top 5 killers of men in the United States. Today’s blog is part 2, the next top 5 things that men should be aware of when it comes to their health:

• Diabetes

The causes for diabetes can vary, especially when you’re comparing type 1 or type 2. For the latter, diet and exercise are the keys to prevention. Brevard Medical carries a number of walking aids that can help you get up and moving again.

• Suicide

A number of factors can lead to suicide, including a family or personal history of depression or anxiety. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, talk to your doctor right away.

• Alzheimer’s Disease

While the cause of Alzheimer’s is not known, stroke, high blood pressure and genetics are suspected to play a role. Evidence shows that staying active mentally, physically and socially can help prevent it.

• Influenza and pneumonia

One of the best ways for prevent the flu is through regular vaccination, according to the CDC. A number of health conditions can arise from the influenza virus, including pneumonia, ear and sinus infections and a worsening of already existing conditions, such as asthma and heart failure.

• Kidney Disease

With kidney disease, waste can build up in your body and lead to other issues such as anemia, heart disease and weak bones. The key to treating kidney disease is to start treatment early. Eating right and staying active can both aid in prevention. Brevard Medical carries a number of exercise products to help keep you in shape.

A number of the top killers of men—both in this blog and in last week’s blog—can be prevented through activities such as better diet or exercise, or cutting out bad habits such as smoking. Remember to always talk to your doctor before starting a treatment option.

Since Men’s Health Month falls in June, we thought we would use today’s blog to talk about the top health conditions that kill men in America—and some of the things you can do to prevent them:

• Heart Disease

There are a number of things that cause heart disease, and some (like family history) can’t be helped. Others, however, can be addressed. For instance, if you have sleep apnea, did you know that CPAP therapy can cut back on your risk of heart disease? We carry a number of CPAP products in our online catalog, and if your doctor recommends you start using a CPAP machine, Brevard Medical is here to help.

• Cancer

Two of the top cancers for men—prostate and colon—can be caught and treated early on if you’re having regular exams. The other top cancers are caused by smoking. If you’re having trouble quitting, consult your doctor about cessation methods.

• Injury

Proper safety precautions—both on the job and off—can help prevent this type of death. Your workplace should follow OSHA regulations and have proper safety measures in place. If not, it may be time to talk to those higher-up; or it might be time to find a new job.

• Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease (COPD)

COPD often refers to either emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Toxins found in tobacco products can damage the lung tissue, leading to both of these diseases. If you are a smoker, try to kick the habit now.

• Stroke

Early intervention is the key to mitigating a stroke’s destruction. Living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent them. Getting immediate medical attention if you do have a stroke can cut back on its impact.

Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about the conditions mentioned in this blog. We will touch on the next 5 things in this list in next week’s blog.

May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, but at Brevard Medical Equipment, we’re aware of it all year-round! Many of our customers live with osteoporosis, and because of that, we provide a number of items that make their day-to-day life easier.

But, our customers are not alone. Did you know that osteoporosis affects 20% of Americans over the age of 50? Of them, Caucasian women are the most susceptible to the disease.

In last week’s blog, we talked about some daily things you can add to your diet to help you grow healthy bones. Today, we want to talk about some daily exercises you can do that will help if you have thinning bones—although, we will say to ask your doctor before you start any new exercise regimen.

• Yoga—Studies suggest that regular yoga workouts are good for osteoporosis, especially in the places most vulnerable to fracture. Its movements don’t make impact on the bones, but still stress them enough to give them a good workout. However, some poses you should shy away from, especially those that require deep backbends.
• Walking—Do this 45 minutes a day, five days a week, and you could a dramatic reduction in your hip fractures.
• Dancing—Who doesn’t enjoy tapping their feet and moving to a beat? As long as you’re not stomping, leaping or doing something else that’s high-impact, dancing can be great for your bones.

Remember, while exercise is good for you, when you have brittle bones, some exercises should be avoided—especially those that carry a high risk of falls or that are high-impact. That rules out skiing and jumping jacks.
If you do have osteoporosis, remember, your mobility doesn’t have to be limited. At Brevard Medical Equipment, we carry a number of products in our online catalog that can make living with osteoporosis easier.