Pisces Healthcare Solutions. Blog

Mon, Apr 8, 2024 0 APRIL IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MONTH

We are celebrating by recognizing the Occupational Therapists that are making a difference within Pisces Healthcare Solutions!

Pisces Healthcare Solutions understands the value and importance of Occupational Therapist (OT) as vital players in the healthcare industry. Did you know that Pisces has 6 practitioners that are Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistants? Our team of OTs are vastly knowledgeable in a variety of practice areas and have certifications in hand therapy, lymphedema, dementia, orthopedics, and neurological conditions just to name a few. Some of our practitioners have over a decade of clinical experience!

Pisces’s Occupational Therapists work in various capacities, including our Clinical Liaison team or directly in the Sales field as a Solutions Consultant. No matter their role, our OTs are a vital part of the Pisces Team and are here to make a difference in the lives of our Veterans to guarantee they have access to products that will promote independence and well-being in everyday life activities.

Our clinical team of Occupational Therapist research products to ensure our Veterans are provided with a complete and comprehensive product offering for their VA team to choose from. Pisces’s Occupational Therapist have extensive roles such as updating our products within the website to ensure clinical details are available for the Veteran’s clinical team to help them determine if a product fits the needs of the Veteran.

Our Occupational Therapists also research clinical equivalent substitutes to recommend for discontinued or extended back ordered products. Clinical product questions from customer service are flited to our Occupational Therapists to ensure accurate advice and questions are answered appropriately. Pisces can also provide product trainings and educational webinars to the VA that can be demonstrated by our Occupational Therapists.

Pisces is the largest distributor of medical and rehabilitation products. We stay up to date with the newest technologies on the market to meet the needs of your Veterans with the help from our Occupational Therapists.

When asking our Pisces team of Occupational Therapist what their favorite Pisces products are, they were excited to share the following with you:

Hayley DeCandia MS, OTR/L, CHT, Solutions Consultant

I have been an OT for 5 years with clinical experience in hand therapy treating various hand conditions post injury or operation through exercises, modalities and making custom hand braces.

I really like the music glove as an engaging product for helping with fine motor dexterity!
I used to use Fit Mi clinically and I like it for reaching/gross motor movements.
The Neater Arm Support ZERO is one of our best upper extremity products! I love that it can help restore independence for those post stroke, spinal cord injury, ALS, General upper extremity weakness due to deconditioning.

Colleen Garrison OTD, OTR/L, Solutions Consultant

I have been an OT for 4 years with clinical experience in advocating in the Pittsburg, PA community for individuals with disabilities, especially for Blind & Low Vision. I worked with a local nonprofit to help get some crosswalks downtown to have auditory and tactile cues for safety. I’ve always loved being an advocate for the disability’s community.

I LOVE the talking microwave & the pill planners. Especially the MedCenter one month talking pill planner! I like that it’s a one month supply, has a talking guide on how to set the alarm, and it has tactile cues for user feedback. These are so inclusive and versatile. Products like these really help to increase independence and overall quality of life!

Megan Shanahan MS, OTR/L, CLT, Solutions Consultant

I have been an OT for 9 years with clinical experience in acute care & outpatient, with specialties in burns, early mobility in the ICU, and lymphedema.

My favorite product is the Neater Arm Support Zero. From an OT perspective, a lot of my ADL sessions in acute care were hand-to-mouth treatments in regard to oral care or feeding, and the individual was able to complete the task if I stood or sat right next to them providing elbow support for gravity eliminated movements. The Neater Arm Support Zero takes away the need for a caregiver to physically be right there lifting the elbow, this device allows the individual to be more independent in their care.

Kallie Wray MS, OTR/L, Solutions Consultant

I have been an OT for 7 years with clinical experience with geriatrics in skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation. I worked with individuals post orthopedics procedures, surgeries, recovering post stroke or illness, as well as cardio-pulmonary dysfunction.

My favorite Pisces product(s) because I can't choose one: Neater Eater -- those demonstrations and set-ups have brought me to tears multiple times especially those who have been able to feed them self for the first time after 6 months of not being able to following a SCI.
The HandSteady Cup-- I always HATED giving an adult a sippy cup and having a dignity-based option to provide feels so good!
MedCline LP without question, It is just so soft, cozy and provides such great positioning! Personally, I want it in my house.

Amanda Vuocolo MS, OTR/L, Clinical Liaison

I have been an OT for 14 years with clinical experience in geriatrics and special needs adults. I have treated a vast array of conditions in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation both PM &R and SNF, community-based home care for geriatrics and special needs group homes. I have additional certifications in Fall Prevention and Dementia.

My favorite product is the SitnStand Compact Chair Lift Assist. It is a simple solution to help Veterans stand up from any siting surface whether at home or on the go. No more having a caregiver pulling on their arm to stand them up. This product maximizes safety and functional independence when sitting to/from standing with just a click of a button!
I have an extra- soft spot for the cognitively impaired and helping them embrace their daily lives safely and to be as independent as possible. Being in home care, home modifications were crucial in ensuring an individual’s safety and participation in daily life roles. The Automatic Stove/oven control can limit when the times when the oven is operable or to turn off the stove when no one is in the kitchen. Motion sensor night lights and toilet lights are great for minimizing falls at night, as well as door and window alarm can also be used on any “off-limit” areas and to alert caregivers.
I also really like the Quick Ship shower chair option for faster order fulfillment. This allows for the Veteran to get their shower chair timely and to sit comfortability while bathing and reducing the risk of slips and falls.

Jasmine Wilson COTA/L, Director of Sales Administration & Clinical Training

I have been a COTA for 14 years with clinical experience in geriatrics in long-term care, skilled nursing facilities and the neurological acute care setting. As a previous Director of Rehab, I recognize the importance for appropriate education for discharge planning and improving clinical outcomes with proper DME directly reduces re-hospitalization rates. I have also served on the MS Occupational Therapy Association Board as Public Relations Chair, as well as taught several CEU courses such as, OT Beyond Boundaries (2020); Professional IWalk Fitting Course and Certification (2020), Neuroplasticity: A repetitive & Consistent Approach (2019), Breaking the Clinical Barrier (2018). Now serving as Pisces Director of Sales Administration & Clinical Training.

My favorite product is probably the Neater Eater! I love the versatility of it! All of the little adjustments that I can tweak to make someone successful at mealtime! But also, I can use right out of the box! The switch is so easy and has pictures!
I also am very passionate about seating and positioning! Working in LTC, we really understood that poor seating and positioning posture not only limited functionality, it was a safety concern for pressure injuries! It's always a joy to help someone select their type of wheelchair and cushion and accessories fit all their clinical needs! The Drive's M3 wheelchair and the HydroGuard Gel-Foam cushion would be great products for our Veterans!

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), “Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on the things you want and need to do in your daily life. Occupational therapy intervention uses everyday life activities (occupations) to promote health, well-being, and your ability to participate in the important activities in your life.” Our large product offering and team of Occupational Therapist along with our entire Pisces team are here to do just that and more to serve those who have served us!

Thu, Feb 15, 2024 0 February is Low Vision Awareness Month

February is Low Vision Awareness Month

Eyesightis the most important and complex of the five basic senses that people possess. In fact, researchers estimate that 80% of our perception and interpretation of the world around us stems from our vision.

Unfortunately, as we get older it is normal for our vision to change and age with us. Normal vision changes can be helped through contacts, glasses, and regular Optometrist visits. However, not all vision issues can be easily solved with spectacles.

Visual impairments, and more specifically low vision issues, are ones that do not have an immediate remedy. Low vision makes it difficult to do everyday tasks and activities such as walking outside, driving, and reading. Aging alone does not cause low vision. A variety of eye injuries, brain injuries, and certain genetic disorders can become the catalyst to low vision. This visual disability is more common in elders because the many diseases that cause low vision are more common in older adults.

The type of low vision that you may experience depends on the disease or condition that caused your low vision. Most common types included: Central vision loss, not being able to see things in the center of your vision; Peripherial vision loss, not being able to see things out of the corners of your eyes; Night blindness, not being able to see in low light and lastly blurry or hazy vision.

Did you know approximately 12 million Americans, or 8% of our population, 40 years and older have a vision impairment? Of these 12 million visual impairments, 3 million have low vision. It is expected that by 2030, when the last baby boomers turn 65, the number of Americans who have low vision is projected to reach 5 million.

With such a large population of Americans effectedby visual impairments and low vision, new methods and technology have been created to help people get through their daily lives. Pisces Healthcare Solutions offers a wide variety of lighting products specifically designed to help those with low vision.

If you have low vision, you can find ways to make the most of your vision and keep doing the things you love to do. For minor vision loss, you can do things like use brighter lights and add color contrast at home and work, wear anti-glare sunglasses, and use a magnifying lens for reading and other close-up tasks.

However, if your vision is getting progressively worse and interferes with safety and everyday activities you may need to see a vision rehabilitation specialist who can help you learn more comprehensive compensatory techniques for setting up your environment so you can participate and move around safely.

In honor of February being low vision awareness month, we will highlight some of Pisces Healthcare Solution's best and most innovative low vision products that can become an aid and make a difference to you or a loved one.

Lighting Products:

Those suffering from low vision will find it extremely helpful to have their home well illuminated. Proper lighting can help ensure a safe environment. Having adequate and appropriate light in hallways, stairs, and other pathways throughout your house will help reduce your fall risk. Use a yellow or a soft/warm tone, depending on your visual impairment. Uniform lighting will also help eliminate shadows or dark spaces.

Modern lighting inventions include voice commands, automatic lights, and motion sensors. These lighting options do not require a person experiencing low vision to turn on and off lights, which can be dangerous and counter intuitive. Instead, a simple command, daily timer, or just the motion of a patient moving around will aid in your management of your lights, making the patient’s life more simplified.

Pisces offers the ‘Westek LED Night Light and Motion Sensorlights’. These motion sensor lights are ideal inside of bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, or any other room within your house that a patient may need access to at night. It can detect movement up to 25 feet away and automatically turns on the light, which will help minimize the risk of falling when attempting to turn normal lights on.

Another form of lighting includes a smaller accent task lightings. Task lighting is vital when working with instruments that can harm or become dangerous for a person with low vision.These lights are installed inspecific high activity task fixtured areas where detailed hobbies are performed, such as reading, cooking, crafting, or working with tools. Without proper lighting, these activities can be dangerous for a person experiencing low vision. Pisces offers the ‘Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lighting with ETL’ as a featured task lighting. This product is especially used and installed underneath kitchen cabinets to illuminate whatever is being prepared or cooked, ensuring the patient’s safety.

Combine lighting provides an excellent solution for individuals seeking enhanced visibility during their activities. Typically, it consists of a lamp or hand held light featuring a powerful light source and, additionally, includes magnification for tasks that demand close examination, such as reading fine print or engaging in intricate work. Pisces offers a 3.5 X Magnifying Desk Lamp combined lighting that zooms in 3.5x normal eyesight, ensuring its user can get up close and personal with nitty gritty details.

As established previously, adequate home lighting is necessary to keep people experiencing low vision safe. However, a drawback of normal lighting,which is not motion or command required, is the need to physically turn on and off the light source. This can be dangerous for a patient as it will be dark and difficult to see to turn on a light without a reliable light source.

A safer option that does not require patients to reach for tall lamps or feel for light switches are LED Lights and Floor Lamps. LED lights offer bright, energy-efficient illumination that can simulate natural daylight. They come in various color temperatures, so choosing a warmer color temperature may be easier on the eyes. LED Floor lamps with adjustable heads and brightness settings can provide directed lighting for reading or other activities.

Contrast:

Contrast enhancement is crucial for individuals with low vision, as it can increase brightness. This will help patients distinguish objects, texts, and surroundings more easily. Decreases in contrast sensitivity affect a person's ADLs and safety. Here are various contrast options tailored to accommodate low vision:

High Contrast colors: use high-contrast color combinations for objects, furnishings, and surroundings. For instance, using the Dycem Activity blue mat can enhance visibility for a variety of daily tasks and to locate items around the home. Placing a bright color mat on a busy counter to identify medications, under a telephone,in the bathroom under grooming items, and can even be used during mealtime under plates and cups. The mat serves as an anchor and is non-skid.
Additional high contrast options for meal time include a red dining set
As well as, other color options for scoop dishes and inner lip plates. This can help to increase eating and awareness of food on the plate.

For Bath safety, using a color bath seat will increase contrast more than a typical white chair and minimize fall risk when being able to locate the bath seat safely. The 360 Degree Rotating Shower Chair is a great option to ensure a person with low vision is able to get in and out of the tub safely.

Color Coding:

Implement color- coded systems for organization and identification purposes. For example use different colored tape or lables to distinguish between items or designate specific areas. Dycem non-slip self adhesive strips are great to customize and bring attention to household items such as grooming items, utensils and can even place on walkers to identify hand correct hand placement.

Medication systems:

Ensuring patient’s are taking the correct prescribed dose of medications at the correct scheduled times is imperative for maintainingone's health and managing medical conditions effectively. Individuals with low vision face unique challenges in accurately identifying the medications they need, which can as a result have serious consequences for their well-being.

Visual impairment and low vision may hinder the ability to discern pill labels or read dosage instructions, leading to inadvertent errors in medication intake. To address this issue, medication systems, such as pill dispensers equipped with tactile features and audible alarms, offer a great solution. These assistive technologies aid individuals with low vision, by distributing the correct medications and providing timely reminders for said meds.

Incorporating such systems into daily routines will allow individuals with low vision better medication management, and minimize the risks associated with incorrect usage. Here are several medication management systems recommended by Pisces:

As discussed in this blog, low vision and visual impairments can become serious inhibitors for patient’s daily lives. However, modern products have provided great solutions that allow patients to still live a relatively normal life.

Our product offerings of low vision products and assistive technology can help the visually impaired adapt to vision changes and maintain their independence at home, work and community. The above products could be available to Veterans through their VA benefits and if interested in any of the products please discuss them with the VA clinical care team.

If you have questions about any of the above products or any products on our website, please feel free to inquire for further information.  

Thu, Dec 14, 2023 0 Getting out to visit Family Safely during the Holidays

Getting out to visit Family Safely during the Holidays!

The holidays are here, and so is the stress that comes with them. This time of the year can be a wonderful means to connect with loved ones, enjoy delicious food, and perform traditions generations old. A time when we gather with the ones we care about, to appreciate one another, and celebrate. However, the stress that comes with the season can be different depending on the person.

While some may worry about the perfect gift to give their loved ones or preparing and cooking food, those with mobility challenges may worry about hardships that are normally taken for granted. People with mobility issues may perceive it’s easier to stay at home than endure an entire complicated journey just for dinner.

Often, people experiencing issues with mobility will be left out of holiday gatherings. Exclusions can create mental health struggles, causing a person to feel isolated, embarrassed, and resent a time that should be celebrated. Normally, these exclusions are not malicious and can be attributed to the fear of not knowing how to navigate challenges in alternative environments, for example, having to eat at another person’s home, transportingin and out of cars, or maneuvering around unfamiliar locations and terrain.

Fortunately, most of the concerns mentioned previously now have proactive solutions and noninvasive tools that would allow the inclusion of all loved ones. If a person and their loved ones are prepared ahead of time with such devices, this will help make the transition smooth and safe when visiting family outside the home.

Every Veteran’s situation is different and should be accounted for on a case-by-case basis, but a few items that may be valuable to safely mobilize a Veteran and make for stress-free holiday traveling are further outlined below.

Automobility SolutionProduct

Veterans experiencing limited mobility will find the Automobility Solution especially useful for getting in and out of an automobile with less stress and strain, making car transfers both easier and safer. The Automobility Solution by Standers is universal and durable with a 350-pound weight capacity and allows Veterans to transfer to and from a vehicle easier, without difficult twisting or straining.

This is a combination item that includes two helpful car transfer aids.

The Swivel Seat Cushionhas a soft, quilted, padding cover and a non-slip base that keeps the cushion in place. This seat rotates 360 degrees,to help pivot legs around to enter and exit the vehicle.

Also included is a Handy Bar that has an ergonomic grip to provide stability to assist with sit to stand from any low-to-the-ground vehicles, SUVs and trucks.The handle inserts into the U-Shaped striker plate on the car door frame, providing leverage for pushing in and out of your vehicle.

Veterans having trouble maneuvering in and out of cars, which is the basis behind their exclusion in joining the holiday fun, can feel confident in the device to transport them to their desired location.

EZ Fold & Go Rolling Walker

Veterans using an assistive device might be more apprehensive about leaving home. Traditional walkers are bulky and heavy, making it hard for the Veteran or a caregiver to put the device into the car. Veterans will sadly opt to not go out due to the burden of their walking device. Even worse, a person experiencing limited mobility may decide to not bring a walker all together, which can ultimatelyincrease stress and create dangerous conditions where a fall can occur.

The safe functional mobility solution would be to use The EZ Fold & Go Walker from Stander. This rolling walker is lightweight and portable. Weighing less than 8 lbs.,and supporting up to 400 lbs. users, this device is the solution to mobility struggles.With the lift of a finger, it folds 4x smaller than your average walker to quickly store in your car, the overhead compartment of an airplane, or discreetly by your side when not in use. Unlike traditional walkers, the Fold & Go can fit through narrow doorways and tight spaces; making it ideal for indoor use at home or navigating restaurants. It can adjust to fit anyone from 4’10” to 6’8”; and for extra convenience, it comes with an organizer pouch for personal items.

This assistive device is a perfect, simple, and lightweight addition for a Veteran to own for safe and stress-free navigation when traveling. Take control of your walker, do not allow weight and transferability to dominate your ability to travel this holiday season.

Gait Belt

If a Veteran needs minimal assistance with transfers or steady assistance with ambulation, it is a good idea to consider having a gait belt, also known as a transfer belt. A caregiver or family member can secure the gait belt around the Veteran’s waist, then grab the belt to steady the Veteran as they move around together.

When used properly, a gait belt reduces the chance that a Veteran might accidentally fall, as well as reduce fear and injury between caregiver or family member. Gait belts are usually a few inches wide and vary in lengths. The belts are made from canvas, nylon or leather with a buckle at the end and optionally loops for holding.

There are two main types of gait belts: a standard design with a metal buckle featuring loops and teeth and a quick-release design featuring a plastic buckle that snaps in place. It is a simple but incredibly effective tool for helping Veterans move around and retain as much of their own mobility as possible.

It’s important to note that a gait belt should not be used to lift or move Veterans outright. If the Veteran is not able to partially move themselves, an alternative and safer method must be used. Lastly, use caution when using a gait belt with a Veteran, especially if they are recovering from a condition that affects the abdomen or lower back region, as well as any possible apparatus near the abdominal area.

The Molift Raiser Pro

There are times when Veterans have difficulty transferring from one surface to another and require the assistance of a family member or caregiver. This could be especially challenging when a Veteran is outside their home during the holidays and not in their normal, comfortable environment. In these instances, it would be beneficial to consider the ETAC Molift Raiser Pro.

The device offers Veterans a safe and comfortable way to transfer from sitting to standing as well as, ensure safety with short-distance transfers such as between chairs, wheelchairs, and toilets. The ETAC Molift Raiser Pro is a manual lift that is designed to provide active standing, safe transfers to the Veteran, and at the same time the best possible ergonomic conditions for the caregiver.

Ever worry that a Veteran is, too unsteady to ambulate with one caregiver or too heavy to lift and to stand alone, or maybe that they would not be able to make it in time or safely to the bathroom? Well, the ETAC Molift Raiser Pro is stable and can turn within its own radius making it easier to maneuver, and is ideal in confined spaces, for instance in toilets.

The Etac Molift Raiser Pro offers Veterans a safe and comfortable way to transfer from sitting to standing and is suitable for use with a single caregiver. The handle features a five-point star design that provides many grip positions for the user to place their hands comfortably and securely. The unique leg support is designed to be easily adjusted with one hand. Similarly, wheel locks (right or left) will lock both wheels simultaneously, providing a safe braking solution in space limited environments.

The soft padded leg support improves comfort and is simple to adjust the height with only one hand. The base is designed with a low step on height making it easy for users to place their feet on the platform and is low enough to the ground that it fits under beds and wheelchairs. The handle comes off the base plate for easy storage and transport in a car, with no tools necessary for assembly.

Strap options for the Etac Molift Raiser Raiser Pro are available separately and are designed for different levels of Veteran capability. A safety strap or raiser belt easily hooks on to the front and wraps around the patient's back for increased safety, security, and stability. For Veterans who need a little help the strap with a sliding sleeve lets the caregiver pull them upward from a sitting position with ease and vise versa. Veterans with reduced arm reaching mobility can order the extended soft handles to provide an extended grip. The Etac Molift Raiser Pro provides Veterans with limited mobility and their caregivers a safe and easy way to transfer from sitting to standing.

Transport Wheelchair

When traveling outside the home for the holidays whether it be to a family or friends house, restaurant, festive show,or even to a vacation destination, a transport chair is an ideal choice to allow a Veteran with mobility challenges to go places they otherwise could not. Some Veterans may have decreased balance and endurance with ambulation and only can tolerate walking short distances. A transport chair can provide a safe and temporary solution to allow a Veteran to continue to participate in holiday celebrations with freedom.

Having a transport chair has great value, they are inexpensive and lightweight, which may benefit Veterans who have a caregiver who cannot lift or maneuver a heavier wheelchair. They are designed to travel and can be folded, stored in the trunk of a car easily. Transport chairs are compact, with a slim profile and do not have large wheels for self-propulsion. Instead, a family member or caregiver pushes the chairfor the Veteran to gain access to certain areas of an event.

It is essential to recognize that every individual, regardless of their mobility abilities, deserves the opportunity to participate in holiday festivities. By embracing inclusive attitudes and utilizing adaptive products like those mentioned, people can take a proactive approach to ensure that holiday celebrations are accessible and enjoyable for everyone. This commitment to inclusivity not only enhances the overall holiday experience but also fosters a sense of belonging and joy for individuals of all mobility levels, fostering a truly inclusive and festive atmosphere for all.

The above products could be available to Veterans through their VA benefits and if they are interested in the products they need to discuss them with their VA Primary Care Physician, VA Occupational Therapist or VA Physical Therapist. The VA could also provide these products to Veterans by Medical pracitioners submitting the Request for Service Form 10-10172 and submit to the VA Community Care coordinator. If you have questions about any of the above products or any products on our website, please feel free inquire further information.

From the Pisces Family to yours, we hope you have a stress-free and happy holiday season with the ones you love.

Tags:

Fri, May 19, 2023 0 Breaking Down Spasticity: Understanding the Effects of Stroke on Muscle Control

May is National Stroke Awareness Month and is dedicated to educating the public about signs and symptoms before a stroke, how to live after having a stroke, and the possible symptoms your body may experience that occur following a stroke.

After a person has a stroke, a variety of side effects can develop including a very serious and debilitating symptom called Spasticity. This condition leads to involuntary muscle contractions and can affect the muscles in a number of ways causing them to become stiff or tight. Most often, spasticity causes the hand to become clenched and fingers to curl. Severe spasticity in the hand is due to miscommunication between the brain and the muscles, causing the muscles that control the hand to spasm and gradually tighten. If left untreated, spasticity can contribute to the development of extreme stiffness or shortening in the muscles, joints, and connective tissue known as contractures.

The later effects of spasticity developing into contractures include causing the range of motion of the fingers and wrist to become even more restricted and resulting in the fingers curling into the palm.

It’s important to take spasticity seriously by managing it early enough to prevent contractures from developing. This will help maximize a patient’s mobility function and avoid the increased pain or discomfort that can be accompanied by contractures. However, even if spasticity has progressed to the point of contractures, there are still ways to gradually relax the muscles in the hand and fingers, although this will require time and consistency.

Fortunately, thanks to modern healthcare treatments, it is possible to rewire the brain and restore mobility in the hand and fingers. Be sure to work alongside your VA occupational or physical therapist so they can help set you up for success by providing optimal exercises, splints, and other rehab techniques to reverse or control the effects of spasticity.

If you or a loved one has had a stroke and are experiencing debilitation of movement in your hands, you can expect your VA Occupational or Physical therapist to recommend treatments to help relax spasticity in the fingers through several methods including:

Hand Splints: are often prescribed to optimize daily stretching as these devices can provide long-duration, low-load stretching to the muscles and joints of the hand and finger. Stretching the hand muscles and connective tissue helps prevent spasticity from worsening into contractures. It’s important to perform the stretch in a pain-free range.

The SaeboStretch is a resting dynamic hand splint (hand/wrist orthosis) that helps Veterans affected by stroke manage spasticity while minimizing joint damage and pain.

The stretch technology assists in preventing or reducing joint damage and pain. With hard static splints, there is increased pressure at the finger joints. The dynamic, flexible SaeboStretch hand plates reduce the pressure at the joints by allowing the hand plates to bend with the fingers when the tone increases.
Stretch comfortably to increase motivation and compliance safely, allowing your fingers to relax while preventing cuts, sores and hygiene issues associated with sweat and fingernails digging into the palm of your hand.
Includes three interchangeable hand pieces that can accommodate various levels of spasticity to help improve motion.
The proprietary strapping system uses key anatomical points for maximizing control and ensuring an intimate fit, along with a malleable wrist and thumb mount for further customization.
Designed with a comfortable non-slip cover and straps to keep fingers in the desired position and an adjustable thumb system to allow for radial and palmar adduction/abduction.
Cover features a zipper closure which can easily be removed for cleaning to promote hand hygiene.
Can be worn for numerous hours and while sleeping to obtain the maximum benefits and preserves the integrity of the skin.

Hand Spasticity Exercises: Exercise is arguably the most effective intervention for hand spasticity after stroke. Practicing therapeutic hand movements on a consistent basis helps spark neuroplasticity: the process the brain uses to rewire itself.

As hand spasticity exercises are practiced with high repetition, the brain works to create and strengthen neural pathways that communicate with the affected hand muscles.

As the brain starts to regain the ability to send signals to the affected hand, it also regains the ability to send signals that tell the hand and fingers to relax, decreasing spasticity.

Passive Hand Exercises: are utilized when active hand exercises are not yet an immediate ability and can still be used to help reduce spasticity. Passive exercise involves assisting your affected wrist, hand and fingers through their range of motion with a prolonged passive muscle stretch. This can be done by using your non-affected side to move your hand or can also be performed with the help of a caregiver or therapist.

The following range of motion exercises are for the wrist and hand that a Veteran can do for him/herself without a caregiver.

Prepare for exercise:

clasping your hands together, can be completed seated or laying down.
10 repetitions for each exercise and hold the joint at the end range for a total of 1 to 3 seconds, in a pain free zone.

Wrist Flexion and Extension - bend your wrist slowly side to side.

Wrist Supination and Pronation - Turn weak hand palm up and then palm down.

Finger Flexion and Extension - Bend fingers of weak hand into palm then straighten. If hands are already fisted, then only work on straightening fingers.

Thumb Flexion and Extension Move thumb to little finger. Then bend and straighten the thumb out to the side to stretch the "web space"

Every stroke is different, and every Veteran will benefit from different approaches throughout the stages of recovery. Talk to your VA occupational or physical therapist today to see which treatments and products are most suitable for you!

Tags:

Sun, Mar 19, 2023 0 March is National Essential Tremor Awareness Month!

Visualize some of the tasks you perform on a daily basis; brushing your teeth, pouring a glass of water, typing on your phone, cutting vegetables, etc. Think of the ease and minimum effort it takes to perform these basic tasks, probably to the point where it becomes second nature and you do not even need to think about it. Now imagine trying to complete these daily tasks while your hand involuntarily shakes. How would you perform these tasks? Could you perform these tasks shaking so violently? How do you think your inability to do something as simple as taking a sip of water would affect your mental health? These are real life difficulties and questions people living with an Essential Tremor must deal with every day.

March is National Essential Tremor Awareness month, and Pisces Healthcare Solutions is dedicating time to talk about this serious neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable, involuntary rhythmic shaking of the body. Most often, an Essential Tremor affects the head, voice, arms, and legs. A tremor can threaten your ability to maintain independence which goes in hand with every other aspect of one’s daily life. The cause to an Essential Tremor is still unknown and there is still no cure to stop the tremor all together, in fact essential tremors can become progressively worse over time. However, great research is being curated for preventative and treatable measures of the disease.

Currently there are not remedies available on the market that completely stop a tremor altogether. However, there are available treatments that attempt to minimize the involuntary shaking as much as possible. One of the best non-invasive treatments are assistive devices that help contain the involuntary shakes caused by the tremor. Pisces Healthcare Solutions offers several products all with the goal of reducing tremor shakes. The Steadi-Two is non-pharmacological glove tool used to treat tremors which works by stabilizing a hand. This stabilizing technology has some proven physics behind it. The technology behind the Stead-Two is the same seismic technology that is used in buildings to prevent them from collapsing and help maintain stability during earthquakes. The glove technology works by vibrating opposite to the motion of the tremor, just like one would find in a seesaw.

The hand glove is a washable, battery-free device compared to others on the market that may need to be charged multiple times throughout the day. The Steadi-Two uses two magnetic disks that provide an opposing force equal to the tremor. This stabilizes the hand and allows patients to go about their daily activities. The glove device can also be used for both hands and provides tremor relief without any side effects that can be experienced when taking medication or injections. In benchtop testing, 80% reduction in the amplitude of tremors was demonstrated.

The Steadi-Two is available for Veterans that may be suffering with tremors from Parkinson’s or Essential Tremors. Speak to you VA Primary care team, VA Neurologist, or VA occupational therapist about setting up a live demonstration where you can try on the Steadi-Two to see how it can aid in your mobility, independence, and change your life

Tags: