Ensuring bathroom access and safety is necessary for older adults. Most accidents occur at home, so family members with older relatives need to access their loved ones’ bathroom. Some home bathrooms are easy to equip for safety and others need more extensive room renovations for those who wish to stay at home and remain independent.

Bathtub Safety
Falls often occur when getting in or out of the tub. Non-slip suction mats or rubber silicone appliqués in the tub will help prevent falls. A non-skid, latex-coated bath mat on the floor beside the tub also provides firm footing. Consider one of the new walk-in bath tubs available on the market today. Although expensive, they provide additional safety since the bather doesn’t need to climb in or out.

Safety Bars
Grab bars around the bathtub and toilets are a safety necessity. These bars should be institutional-grade, stainless steel and installed according to the manufacturer’s directions for firm, solid support. Don’t rely on the cheaper model you’ll find in bed and bath stores - they are more decorate and don’t provide the solid support needed. These bars are expensive, but, when properly installed, will support a person who loses balance. You’ll find a wide selection of grab bars in multiple finishes and styles at Disposable Medical Express.

Two types of grab bars may be needed at the tub for the ambulant older person:

1. For use in getting in and out of the tub from a standing position;
2. For use when lowering or raising the body to or from a seated position in the tub.

U-shaped bars are generally available in 12- to 40-inch lengths and may be secured vertically or horizontally to a wall. A vertically placed U-bar, attached to the side wall at the foot of the tub, allows safe entry and exit. Horizontally placed support bars are best for lowering or raising the body to the seated position in the tub. A 12- to 15-inch grab bar can be placed at the foot of the tub and add another longer one along the back wall for added safety.

Tub Seats
A variety of portable seats, chairs and benches and transfer benches are available if sitting on the bathtub floor is difficult or impossible. The seat can be used to swing into the tub and remain elevated during bathing so you don’t have to get on the bathtub’s floor. When using these seats in the tub, a hand-held showerhead is also needed.

Shower Bars
An angle bar attached to two walls of a shower provides support while standing in the shower, or as an aid to sitting and rising if using a bath bench or chair. Use a non-slip suction mat on the shower floor and a non-skid bath mat outside of the shower to avoid slipping.

Water Temperature and Controls
A single-lever mixing faucet can control temperature and flow of water better than dual controls. All hot water in an older person’s home should be controlled thermostatically to a maximum temperature of 120 degrees to avoid burns. you can find thermostatic control shower controllers online, thru specialty plumbing stores, or you can often special order these items from home improvement stores.

Toilet Safety
The standard 15- to 17-inch height of toilet seats creates a problem for many people, especially those with arthritis, hip, knee or back problems. Elevate the seat 5- to 7- inches for better leverage when standing. There are several types of removable and permanently fixed raised toilet seats available at Disposable Medical Express.

According to research by Cyber Dialogue, 22.3% of all adults online relied on the Web for health information, and that adults over 50 are particularly interesting in buying their medicine and medical supplies online.

Buy medical supplies online at Disposable Medical Express

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For a list of all medical device recalls, see the CDRH Device Recalls Database.

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Store collected milk in single-serving sizes of 2 to 4 ounces. Seal the container with a solid lid, and label each container with the date the milk was pumped.

Frozen milk expands, so leave at least one ince between the milk and the container’s lid. Store milk in the refrigerator or freezer away from the door to avoid changes in temperature.

At Room Temperature:

In the Refrigerator:

In the Freezer:

Source: Breastfeeding Made Easier at Home and Work, womenshealth.gov

Not even boiling at home will completely sterilize your breast pump parts; it’s impossible to completely sterilize your breast pump at home. Some hospitals offer free or fee-based sterilization services, but you should be able to effectively wash away germs and bacteria after each use. Consult your instruction manual for proper breast pump cleaning instructions.

Take apart your pump, and wash each piece separately using liquid dishwashing soap and warm water. Rinse each piece with hot water for 10-15 seconds, placing the pieces on a clean paper towel or in a drying rack to allow them to air dry. Avoid using a cloth towel to dry your pump since it can carry harmful germs and bacteria. When the pump and pieces dry, reassemble before storing away.

Urge urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as the unwanted urine leakage that happens shortly after the sudden, intense desire to urinate. Urge UI is caused by involuntary bladder contractions that occur as your bladder fills. Occurs when nerve passages along the pathway from the bladder to the brain are damaged, causing a sudden bladder contraction that cannot be consciously inhibited. Urine loss is usually in large amounts that soak underwear and even outer clothing. Stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can all cause urge incontinence. Urge Incontinence is a major symptom of Over Active Bladder (OAB).

Fecal incontinence is a difficult condition to face. However, awareness has increased tremendously over the past 10 years. Treatment continues to expand and provide patients and their healthcare provider options specific to their needs. Talk to your doctor about treatment options that are right for you.

Sometimes even small lifestyle changes such as dietary modification or eliminating certain medications (a side effect of certain medications is diarrhea) can be helpful in regaining bowel control. Taking medications or increasing fiber to change the consistency of the stool may provide relief, since a person can usually better control stool when it is firm rather than loose or liquid. The first steps to controlling incontinence are to normalize stool consistency with increased fiber intake, to bulk up stool, and to exercise the pelvic floor. Often, treatment includes both medical and behavioral therapy.

• Lifestyle Modifications — If your fecal incontinence is associated with constipation, then good fluid intake, regular exercise, and regular bowel habits can be helpful. Having a good breakfast with tea or coffee and then routinely going to the bathroom may help get and keep you regular. Alternatively, for some people avoiding caffeine may be helpful.
• Medications — Your provider will review your prescribed and over-the-counter medication to determine if any may cause constipation. If you are constipated, then regular laxative and stool softeners as recommended by your provider will be important. If you have diarrhea, supplements to firm stool can increase bowel control since firmer stool is usually easier to control than liquid stool. None should be taken, however, without recommendation of a healthcare provider.
• Exercise — Pelvic floor muscle exercises and Kegel exercises, when performed regularly and correctly can greatly improve the anal sphincter muscle tone. This often leads to increased bowel control and a reduction or elimination of fecal incontinence episodes within a few weeks. To perform the exercise, contract the muscles of the anus as tightly as possible (as if you are trying to prevent the passage of gas) for a count of five and then relax. Repeat 30 times, three times daily.
• Biofeedback –Biofeedback is a non-invasive technique that converts anal sphincter muscle contractions to a visual meter on a computer screen to help a patient become more aware of their anal sphincter muscles. This technique can be used to teach or supplement exercises.

People who continue to experience fecal incontinence despite other treatments may require surgery to regain control. Surgical options depend on the cause of the incontinence, the severity of the problem, the health and age of the patient, and the clinical judgment of the surgeon.

Management Options

Fecal incontinence is the inability to control the passage of liquid and/or solid stool. Fecal incontinence ranges from the loss of an entire solid bowel movement in severe cases to the loss of a small amount of liquid waste. While the terms ‘fecal incontinence’ and ‘anal incontinence’ are often used interchangeably, they do not actually carry the same meaning. Fecal incontinence refers specifically to the loss of liquid and/or solid stool, whereas anal incontinence refers more broadly to the loss of liquid, solid, and gaseous matter.

It has been estimated more than 6.5 million Americans have fecal incontinence. Many people with fecal incontinence never report it to their healthcare provider because of embarrassment or because they do not feel anything can be done to help the problem, which is incorrect. If you are experiencing a constant need to have a bowel movement, diarrhea, constipation, or blood in or your stool, it could be an indication of colorectal cancer, a leading cause of death. However colorectal cancer may not show symptoms until advanced stages. For this reason, both men and women at age 50 are encouraged to receive a baseline screen (and earlier for those who have a family history of colorectal cancer).

Recent data suggests that 2.2% of women who have delivered more than one child experience fecal incontinence due to the stress of labor on sphincter muscles. Percentages of fecal incontinence increase to 7% of 65 year-olds in healthy condition and to 23% of all stroke patients. Finally, 33% of elderly people at home or in a hospital experience bowel control problems.

After your healthcare provider’s evaluation and initial recommendations, you may need to see one of the following professionals:

• Gastroenterologist (digestive and intestinal system)
• Urogynecologist (pelvic floor dysfunction in women)
• Colorectal Surgeon (Colon, rectum and anus disease/ disorder)

Causes of fecal incontinence include, but are not limited to: constipation, damage to the anal sphincter muscles or nerves during child delivery, anal surgery, spinal cord injury, stroke, systemic disease (such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease), rectal prolapse, and chronic diarrhea. Also, fecal incontinence can be drug-induced by the overuse of laxatives or as a side effect of certain medications. It is also closely associated with old age, major depression, urinary incontinence, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of IBS may include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, and indigestion. Less common symptoms include bleeding, jaundice, nausea and vomiting.

Before using your breast pump for the first time, read the entire instruction manual. Wash your hands with soap and dry thoroughly with a clean paper towel. You don’t have to wash your breasts before you pump unless you use creams, ointments or other products on your breasts. Check your products’ labels and ask your doctor for advice. Assemble your pump using the manufacturer’s instructions. Then find a clean and comfortable place where you can relax and not be distrubed. Position the breast-sheilds using your instruction manual for tips on positioning your nipple. Adjust the breast-shield until it feels comfortable, and begin pumping. Adjust the speed until you find one that is comfortable.

Since the amount of milk produced is different for everyone, you should consult with a qualified health care professional to help you dterming the best pumping method for you. A typical pumping session lasts about 10-15 minutes per breast, but you should only pump as long as it is comfortable and productive.

When you are finished pumping milk, gently insert a finger between your breast and the breast-shield to break the vacuum seal. Remove the bottle of milk and label with the date and time of pumping before storing in the refrigerator or freezer.

Several factors can help determine your ideal breast pump. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to choosing the right pump. What works well for one mother may not for you. If you are having difficulty choosing a breastpump, talk with your healthcare provider.

Consider these factors when choosing a breast pump:

1) How do you plan to use the pump?
2) How much time will it take you to pump?
3) Are the pump’s instructions easy for you to understand?
4) Where will you be using a pump?
5) Do you need a pump that is easy to transport?
6) Will the breast-shields fit you?

Once you’ve made your decision, visit our Mother & Baby Care products online.