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Aphasia is a language disorder that affects how you communicate. It is caused by damage to the language centers of the brain, usually in the left side of the brain, that control understanding, speaking, and using signed languages. Aphasia may also impact one’s ability to reador write. People often think that those with aphasia have cognitive issues because they struggle to communicate. This is not true: Aphasia is not associated with cognitive deficits. However, word-finding difficulty—a hallmark symptom of aphasia—may be an early symptom of other neurological conditions, such as primary progressive aphasia (a form of dementia), that are accompanied by cognitive impairments. 

According to the National Aphasia Association (NAA), more than 2 million people in the United States have aphasia. One third of all strokes result in the language disorder. Despite its prevalence, nearly 85% of adults over age 25 have never heard the term "aphasia." This highlights a significant gap in awareness about a condition that impacts so many lives. 

May is National Women’s Health Awareness Month, a time to celebrate and empower women with health knowledge and resources, encouraging women to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This year’s national women’s health month is dedicated to empowering women to take charge of their health journeys and shining a light on health issues unique to women. 

Pisces Healthcare understands the complexity of women’s healthcare. We are committed to staying up to datewith new, innovative products that aim to meet, honor, and celebrate women’s unique healthcare needs. 

Did you know, more than 2 million Women Veterans live in the U.S. today?

No matter where they live, every woman veteran has access to the VA health system which provides care at 1,293 health care facilities, including 171 VA Medical Centers and 1,112 outpatient sites of care. 

Elitone products are the only FDA-cleared external solutions that tone your pelvic floor and calm your overactive bladder. Ditch the pads, stop your leaks, and feel the freedom in just 6 weeks. Elitone and Elitone URGE precisely deliver pelvic floor stimulation to effectively treat the most common types of incontinence. Whether you’re experiencing stress incontinence, an overactive bladder, or a mix of both, Elitone has the solution for you. 

TINA 

TINA is the world’s first comfort-first assistive aid for tampon insertion, designed so that everybody can use tampons consistently with confidence and comfort. Engineered specifically for a women’s anatomy with inclusive design for extra reach and easy grip. 

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. 

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.   

The end of the year is an opportunity for new beginnings. Creating resolutions for the upcoming year is a great way to re-evaluate what you deem important in your life and make realistic plans to reach your goals. It is common during this time of the year for people to devise new resolutions they wish to achieve. Goals vary depending on the person but normally involve an aspect of a person’s life they believe they can improve upon. 

While most people will have a resolution they wish to complete for the new year in their heads, very few are able to fulfill their wishes. In fact, “researchers suggest that only 9% of Americans that make resolutions complete them. While 23% of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January.” These numbers can be quite shocking, however, there are steps that can be taken to increase the likelihood of completing a resolution.  

First and foremost, write your goal down! Research has shown that just writing down goals for the new year will make you that much more likely to achieve them. “People who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them than those who don't. Why is this? Clarity! Writing down your goals helps you clarify what you want to achieve.”  

Secondly, your goals need to be quantifiable. For example, if your goal is to read more, give yourself a number of books you want to complete by the end of the year. If you want to become more physically active come up with a goal of steps to walk in a day. It is also important to set yourself up for success by creating realistic goals that are achievable for you and your own capabilities.  

Finally, find tools, products, or devices that will aid in the completion of your resolutions. Thanks to modern-day medical devices, like the ones offered at Pisces Healthcare Solutions, achieving resolutions are much more realistic even when taking disabilities into account. 

We have established how to ensure the likelihood of staying on track for your New Year’s goals. Below you will find different products offered by Pisces Healthcare Solutions that will aid in the achievement of your 2024 New Year’s resolutions.  

Resolution: Working out/Losing weight  

A common goal for the New Year for most is to become more physically active or work out more. Getting active, staying active, and reaching your wellness goals just got easier with the Cubii Jr+. This device can be incorporated into any part of your routine! The CubiiJr+ is a low-impact elliptical that helps burn calories, targets the lower body and obliques, and can increase leg strength, mobility, and your daily activity level.  

The Cubii Jr+ features a built-in handle and weighs less than 20 lbs,andcan be picked up to be positioned under your desk or at your favorite seat. The built-in LCD display screen tracks your strides, distance, speed, active time, and calories burned, while seamlessly syncing with the Cubii mobile app and other fitness tracking apps to keep you accountable and stay on track for the long haul! 

Resolution: Becoming more Physically Active 

Becoming more activein your daily life can be especially difficult for those with limited mobility. However, modern mobility devices are becoming easier to use and even more reliable. The NightHawk Rollator is a powerful mobility device that will ensure you get moving all while providing safety and stability.  

Designed with a durable aluminum frame that supports Veterans up to 300 pounds. It features easy-to-adjust arms with ergonomic handles, a top- to-bottom protected braking system. Accommodates varied heights from 4’11” to TALL Veteransup to 6'4". A cane holder and mesh tote for carrying personal items are standard accessories that come with the NightHawk, however an oxygen tank holder can be purchased separately if needed. Additional features include an  18” x 10” thickly padded seat with a handle to quickly and easily fold and unfold side-to-side (rather than front-to-back), allowing the unit to maneuver through narrow doorways. Folds up for quick and easy transport in any vehicle and for storage. 

Be confident with your mobility and get outside, the fresh air will help you feel rejuvenated! The NightHawk Rollator will surely help you reach your daily steps goal!  

Resolution: Increase Flexibility 

Before and after a workout it is important to warm up muscles and joints and minimize pain through stretching. Stretching can sometimes feel like a redundant activity that just prolongs a workout, but it helps to prevent injuries and it keeps you limber. Hold stretches for about  20-30 seconds in a variety of positions, and don’t cheat! A device that can assist with increasing flexibility and maximizing stretching ability is the IdealStretch Device. This is a hamstring and calf stretcher that will help put all of that pain, tightness, and soreness in your rearview, so you can feel good and move around better for all those daily activities you love! This device effectively stretches the hamstring and calf at the same time; It's also a great knee and lower back stretcher that helps relieve tight and short Iliotibial (IT) band tissues. This stretch device is lightweight and portable, made with a durable steel frame that can handle the wear and tear from heavy use. Your body will thank you later for stretching with the IdealStretch Device! 

Resolution: Establish Healthy Eating Habits 

If healthy eating is your goal, that doesn't mean you have to give up all of the foods you love at once. Try making one or two small changes at a time. Allowing yourself the occasional salty snack or piece of chocolate can actually help you stay on track and achieve your long-term goals. For others it means, being able to access their healthy food choices with adaptive feeding equipment. Some options to consider are anti-tremor utensils such as weighted utensils and Gyenno Bravo Twist, colored dishes and utensils for visual enhancement to increase appetite, as well as ELISpoon for people with limited hand and arm mobility. Another alternative is The Robotic Neater Eater, this is indicated for use with Veterans that maintain head control ability to include chewing and swallowing. 

Whatever the preferred method of eating, everyone should have the accessibility to enjoy healthy foods and establish healthy eating habits for a healthy lifestyle.  

Resolution: Increase Water Intake 

Drinking water has numerous benefits. Water is crucial for many bodily functions, such aslubricating the joints, delivering oxygen throughout the body, decreasing kidney damage/infections, and much more!Pisces Healthcare Solutions offers a vast catalog of drinking aid products. If one of your goals is to consume more water, check out just a few of our simple devices that will help increase your water intake every day. 

The Giraffe Bottle Hands Free Drinking Solution allows users with various abilities to stay hydrated. The system is designed to be flexible and easy to use. The solution is great for desks, wheel chairs, beds, tables, and more with use of the various holders and mounting options. Available inBPA Free Plastic and stainless steel, various neck lengths from 15 inch to 36 inch as well as various valves to meet the capability of each Veterans swallowing ability. The BPA Free Plastic Clear bottle is printed with ml and oz markings for hydration recording. Easy to see when bottle needs to be refilled. 

Veterans experiencing tremors, limited dexterity, or weak grip may believe it is not possible for them to reach their water intake goal, however, the HandSteady Rotatble Handle Cup satisfies all mentioned hand motor problems. This Cup has a rotating handle that self-levels, increases control, and reduces spills. No need to worry about creating a mess, instead worry about reaching your water intake goal. 

Veterans with limited mobility below their necks would find a great benefit from using the Neater PoweredDrinker.This deviceenables people to drink liquids and puréed foods at their own pace all while maintaining their independence. 

Resolution: Accountability

It is hard to start something new, we all want to be successful, however, mistakes will happen, acknowledge them, learn from them, and take steps to rectify them. Take responsibility for ensuring you remember your daily goals and routine that you have set for the New Year with the Your Minder Personal Recording Alarm Clock. Record with your own voice 6 alarm messages. The possibilities are endless! Record anything, from motivational mantras to reminders for medication or to exercise. This system is to alert you and remind you to encourage you to do daily activities. Pair the Organizer with the MedCenter Talking Clock and you have a complete monthly medication organizer and reminder system.

Track your daily or weekly weight progress with a talking weight scale. The Echo talking scale is equipped with a voice box that speaks the users weight in English and Spanish, the talking feature can also be turned off. Auto on/off feature, simply step on scale to turn on. The talking feature is ideal for vision impaired, however anyone who needs to monitor their weight regularly can benefit from this scale.  The platform is extra wide, made of tempered glass and has a 3.5” LCD display.  There are large anti-skid feet for additional safety and has a weight capacity is 400 pounds.

Take charge of your own health today!

Resolution: Challenge yourself 

Whatever you do in 2024 – make sure you are pushing yourself to get better each day! As you can see, no matter your level of abilities you reside at, it is possible to reach your resolutions for 2024! Get involved, get moving, eat better, and drink more water. It is extremely important to set aside that 30 minutes each day tobetter yourself,  but make sure you’re pushing yourself!So get out there and make 2024 a year for the ages! 

The above products could be available to Veterans through their VA benefits and ifinterested in any of the products please discuss them with the VA Primary Care Physician, VA Occupational Therapist or VA Physical Therapist.  The VA could also provide these products to Veterans by Medical practitionerssubmitting 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.