Arthritis Self Management: What You Need to Know

People over the age of 65 are more likely to be readmitted than younger patients, and readmission can be more serious for seniors.Readmission after an illness or injury is a serious health issue for seniors. However, it is important for seniors and their loved ones to remember that in many cases, readmission is avoidable and can be prevented with a thoughtful post-hospital care plan.Nearly one-fifth of all Medicare patients in the United States who are discharged from the hospital end up returning within 30 days.  There are many reasons seniors may need to be readmitted to the hospital, but healthcare agencies are focused on finding ways to reduce these numbers and educate patients about how to have a healthier recovery at home.For many seniors, this means having a quality caregiver that can help them overcome some of the main preventable causes for returning to the hospital. Consider the following:Medication is critical: Some seniors need assistance taking medication in the right amount on the correct schedule. When you consider that, on average, seniors with chronic conditions fill 50 different prescriptions annually, it is not difficult to imagine how someone could get confused when a new medication is added to their regimen. Caregivers can not only remind seniors to take medications as prescribed, but they can also help seniors keep a list of those medications and their dosages so the information is readily available for healthcare professionals. Managing medications is one of the best ways a caregiver can help seniors during their recovery.Follow up visits prevent readmission: A full two-thirds of patients readmitted to the hospital would have avoided that trip if they had seen their physicians within two weeks for follow up. The reasons for not following up vary but can include transportation difficulties and forgetting to make or keep appointments. Hospital staff can aid the senior by setting up appointments for the individual before discharge, but getting to the appointment can still be a challenge. In addition to a host of uplifting care services, caregivers can provide transportation to appointments and keep track of any post-care visits.Discharge plans only work when implemented properly: Having a discharge plan for the patient before he or she leaves the hospital can be crucial for recovery, but it can be difficult for seniors and their family members to focus on the plan during the stress of the illness and discharge. Caregivers can help the senior follow the instructions and will connect with family or other approved individuals when there are problems or change in condition during recovery. They can also help explain the information or ensure that the appropriate person is notified if the older individual has questions about his or her course of treatment. This takes the stress off the family and the patient so he or she can focus on recovery.Having a helping hand during recovery can ensure positive outcomes and a return to an active, engaged life. Family members, friends and neighbors are often willing to serve as a post-hospital recovery caregiver, but there is professional help available for those that dont have someone nearby to assist them. For long-term recovery, those who have the assistance of friends and family can benefit from a professional caregiver to provide respite care and support.Comfort Keepers Can HelpComfort Keepers caregivers can help with encouragement, support and assistance with daily living. And caregivers can encourage overall health through meal planning, grocery shopping, meal preparation and activities. Our custom care plans focus on physical and mental health and wellness activities. Our goal is to see that clients have the means to find the joy and happiness in each day, regardless of age or acuity.To learn more about our in-home care services, contact your local Comfort Keepers location today.ReferencesRelias. What you need to know about readmission among seniors. Web. 2016.American Hospital Association. Examining the drivers of readmissions and reducing unnecessary readmissions for better patient care 2011 AHA Policy Research. Web. 2011.Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Ten things you should know about care transitions. Web. 2013. 

Gifts for Grandma, Grandpa, or Aging ParentsIts no secret that shopping for gifts for grandma, grandpa, or an older parent, can be difficult. A life well lived also means theyve probably acquired everything they need for their day-to-day tasks. Do they really need another stock pot, blanket, or screwdriver? Probably not. And those kinds of gifts are BORING with a capital B. Why not find something thats new AND solves a problem?How do you buy a gift for a senior who already has everything?The trick is to find a present that adds value and independence to their life. As we age, things that we took for granted in our youth become much harder as the years pass on.One such example that many seniors struggle with is the simple task of clipping fingernails. The standard fingernail clipper hasnt changed for over 70 years. Its small and requires a surprising amount of vision and dexterity.Now imagine youre a senior with advancing arthritis or decreasing vision and what used to be a simple task is now a lot more difficult. Maybe you have MS or Parkinsons and fine motor dexterity is an everyday challenge. Or perhaps youre fully capable of clipping your own nails, but want additional convenience. Or maybe youre a caregiver and clipping fingernails is low on your priority list. Any way you look at it, theres no right or wrong reason to want a bit of independence.In fact, there are over 50 million people in the US alone who have limited dexterity, strength, or vision. And tens of millions more who dislike the messy and annoying process of clipping fingernails. If your parent or grandparent needs help, theyre certainly not alone.Get them something that makes their life easier.Introducing the ClipDifferent Pro: the easiest-to-use nail clipper on the planet. Its easily one of the best gifts for grandma, grandpa, or an aging parent.The ClipDifferent Pro is a revolutionary, first-of-its-kind, automatic fingernail clipper that safely trims fingernails with the simple touch of a button. Its effortless, safe, leaves no mess, and is built to last.It includes FREE SHIPPING and a FULL GUARANTEE!It uses a bit of science, a bit of magic, and a few top-secret components that elevate the act of fingernail clipping from boring to holy cow!.Put simply, the ClipDifferent Pro utilizes a high-capacity, rechargeable NiMH battery to power a finely-tuned, patent-pending trimming mechanism manufactured with surgical grade stainless steel, to create the most seamless, clean, and nearly effortless fingernail clipping experience youve ever had. Dont Just Take Our Word For It Heres What Others Are Saying The ClipDifferent Pro is so simple and easy to use! Rollie Rodgers (Korean War Veteran and Living with Parkinsons) It gives me one more way to be independent. Rick Zeidler (Vision Loss) Ive won the war but its these day-to-day battles that we have to deal with. Rick Ebner (Living with MS) I think anyone will find the Pro fabulousespecially those who have challenges with fine motor skills. Geno Mucciacciaro (Disabled Veteran with Neurological and Central Nervous System Issues) Once you see the Pro work, its hard to go back to the old way of clipping your nails. Butch Donohue (Amputee/Limb Loss) Every home needs to have one of these! Tamara S. (Home Health Care Advisor) I need to buy one of these for my husband! Velma Hagar Ristaino (Author, Inspirational Speaker)

Arthritis is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, with over 58.5 million Americans currently living with this chronic disease. Characterized by inflammation and stiffness in the joints, arthritis can significantly impact one's quality of life, making everyday tasks challenging. Among these tasks, nail clipping can become particularly difficult due to the precision and hand strength required. This is where ClipDifferent steps in offering an innovative solution designed to ease this burden.Understanding Arthritis and Its ImpactArthritis causes over 100 different types of joint diseases and conditions, with the most common being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions often result in pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion in the affected joints. For many, simple daily activities such as buttoning a shirt, opening jars, or clipping nails can become daunting tasks.People with arthritis may find these tasks especially problematic for several reasons:Limited Hand Strength: Arthritis often reduces grip strength, making it hard to grip jars and buttons, or handle traditional nail clippers.Joint Pain: The pain in the fingers and wrists can make certain repetitive  motions required by certain daily tasks like opening doors, medications and even showering, very uncomfortable.Reduced Dexterity: Swelling and stiffness can hinder the fine motor skills needed to clip nails neatly and safely.ClipDifferent: A Game-Changer for Nail CareClipDifferent is revolutionizing nail care for individuals with arthritis by providing an easy-to-use, safe, and efficient nail clipping solution. Heres how ClipDifferent stands out:Automated Clipping Mechanism: The ClipDifferent Pro is designed with an electric nail trimming mechanism that eliminates the need for manual squeezing. Users simply insert their nails into the designated slot, and the device does the rest, trimming the nails smoothly and safely.Ergonomic Design: The devices design takes into account the physical limitations faced by individuals with arthritis. Its user-friendly interface and stable base require minimal hand movement, reducing strain and discomfort. The ClipDifferent pro, our one handed use design, stays put on a table or flat surface so you can safely trim. The Lil Nipper, our handheld design, takes minimal effort to hold onto and utilizes the same electric trimming technology.Safety Features: ClipDifferent prioritizes user safety with features such as a protective nail slot to prevent skin contact with the blade and an easy-to-clean design. This makes it suitable for individuals with limited hand control.Precision and Neatness: The precision trimming mechanism ensures that nails are cut evenly and smoothly, preventing jagged edges that can lead to further discomfort or injury.Independence and Confidence: By making nail care accessible and straightforward, ClipDifferent helps individuals with arthritis regain a sense of independence and confidence in their personal care routines.Real Lives Changed Many users with arthritis have experienced significant improvements in their daily lives thanks to ClipDifferent. Take it from our very own Kathi Holmes, who overcame paralysis and is living with arthritis. With the help of ClipDifferent, she was able to gain some independence back into her life. What once was a difficult task, is now something she feels grateful to be able to do so easily.Embrace a Better Quality of Life with ClipDifferentArthritis may be a part of life for millions, but it doesnt have to dictate your daily routine. ClipDifferent offers a practical, effective solution to one of the many challenges posed by this condition. By simplifying nail care, ClipDifferent empowers those with arthritis to maintain their personal grooming with ease and dignity.If you or a loved one is struggling with arthritis, consider trying ClipDifferent. Its more than just a nail clipper its a step towards reclaiming control over your daily life.Explore ClipDifferents products and see how they can make a difference in your life. Visit ClipDifferent.com today!