Wednesday, July 23, 2008

A Little Warmth and Good Cheer for Stroke Victims

Several years ago my father had a stroke. With the help of my mother he has been able to lead an active life until about two years ago when he had another stroke that diminished his abilities and made him completely dependent.

Wheel chairs, bed guards, walkers, and other aids for stroke victims have helped to keep him somewhat mobile. Dysphagia causes difficulty swallowing and now requires that all liquids he takes in be thickened. The only drink he has occasionally not thickened is his Martini – with doctor’s approval.

His smile and great attitude carry him far. When I push him in the wheelchair he smiles and waves to everyone we meet. He loves to joke and poke fun at himself and he loves company.

Because his physical abilities are now limited he gets cold easily. A microwave heating pad does wonders to keep his disabled hand warm.

The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke has information about strokes and a lengthy list of organizations -- resources for families of stroke victims.

Maine Warmers provide hand warmer mittens to help keep hands comfortable. A Back Warmer or Neck Warmer also provides warmth and comfort for extremities and core especially for those who are not physically active due to a stroke.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Tips to help relieve the pain of arthritis

There are several things one can do to help manage the pain associated with arthritis. According to the Mayo Clinic, physical exercise – done correctly – can help keep muscles strong and support the skeletal system. Exercise is critical but it must be done correctly to avoid pain and aggravating the condition.

Maintaining a health diet and weight are also important. You may want to try a gluten-free diet to help reduce inflammation in the body. Since arthritis is painful inflammation of the joints, this diet may help. With today's awareness of gluten and so many people choosing this diet, the availability of gluten-free foods has increased significantly. This is not a diet to lose weight. But keeping weight down reduces the stress on the joints. Check out Maine Warmers Gluten-free Recipes on their blog.

Using implements to help open jars, insert keys, brush teeth are a few of the recommendations.
They recommend making changes gradually – not trying to do everything all at once. Read the article on RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.

A heating pad helps relieve the pain of arthritis. Maine Warmers have microwave heating pads and gentle ice packs that stimulate circulation and help with flexibility. If you need a gift for someone with arthritis check out Maine Warmers’ Cozy Sheep.