Four Reasons to Eat More Veggies

Just in case you need more reasons to dig into summer's abundant vegetables, check out the following four ways that they can lead to a healthier you!

1. They fight bloat. Veggies contain a lot of fiber, which helps flush waste and gastric irritants out of the body. Fiber also helps prevent constipation by keeping the digestive tract moving. 
2. They hydrate the skin and help fight wrinkles. Many veggies are 85 percent to 95 percent water. They also contain phytonutrients and vitamin C, which can help prevent premature aging. 
3. They reduce stress. Vegetables contain key nutrients, including magnesium and vitamin C, that are quickly depleted during stressful times. They also contain tension-reducing omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins to help fight depression and anxiety. 
4. They protect your bones. Like dairy foods, vegetables contain high levels of calcium and vitamin D. Some veggies also contain bone-builders such as vitamin K, magnesium, potassium and prebiotic fiber. 

To learn more, click here.

Keep Your Residents' Skin Safe In the Sun

It seems like summer is finally starting to make its way into town! While it's tempting to soak in the sun's rays, elderly people need to take special precautions to protect their skin.

As we age, our skin gets thinner and more delicate. It's also less able to protect and rejuvenate itself. Since no single protectant is 100 percent effective in warding off damaging UV radiation, experts recommend taking a multi-step approach to protect skin.

• Avoid sunbathing and sunburn. Tanning isn't a good idea for mature skin that already experienced a lifetime of sun damage.
• Stay in the shade. Encourage residents to stay on a porch or other shady area when the sun is strongest (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
• Wear sunscreen. Dermatologists recommend applying SPF 30 sunscreen to exposed skin daily, even if your residents aren't planning on going outdoors.
• Moisturize. Elderly skin is likely to be dry, and sun damage and hot temperatures can make it worse.
• Choose protective clothing. Long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants provide great protection for elderly skin. You might also suggest wearing a hat.
• Accessorize! Shield skin from the sun with umbrellas and sunglasses.

Study: Hip Fractures Likely to Lead to Death, Immobility In Six Months

According to a new study, more than half of nursing home residents who sustain a hip fracture die or cannot walk within six months of their injuries. One-third of the residents die within six months. The study was conducted by the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

According to the researchers, male residents or residents older than 90 with high levels of comorbidities and cognitive impairments are at greatest risk.

In addition to the risk of immobility or death, seniors who experience hip fractures are also likely to experiences decreases in ADLs such as eating, bathing, dressing or moving in bed.

On the flip side, one in five seniors not living in a nursing dies within a year of a hip fracture.

To learn more, click here.

Prevention through Education

One of ProMed's greatest strengths is educating customers on the use of our products. Our all-shift in- service presentations and exclusive in-service guides help your staff become comfortable with the best-in-class products available exclusively from ProMed. The in-service guides are also perfect additions to your orientation packets!

Customized in-servicing is available for a wide variety of products, including diabetic care, incontinence care, enteral nutrition, skin care, wound care, ostomy care, syringes and sharps, pill crushing and more!

During a ProMed in-service, our knowledgeable reps will:

• Bring in product samples to show your staff
• Explain why a product change is being made
• Demonstrate use of the product
• Discuss any relevant industry and regulatory information
• Ask key questions to ensure everyone understands correct product usage
• Ask your team to complete In-Service Evaluation forms so that we can use your feedback to make our programming as valuable as possible
• Follow up to ensure a smooth transition

We hope that you will allow your staff to get to know us as your facility's medical supply distributor and encourage them to come to us if they have a question or concern. We want to be your trusted advisors!

Click here to download the In-Service Request Form!

Analysis: Antisocial Behavior Best Predictor of Abuse in Residents with Criminal History

A new analysis has found that antisocial behavior is the best predictor of abusive behavior among residents who have criminal histories. 

During the analysis, researchers examined the behavior of 46 nursing home residents with criminal histories, including sex offenses. They found that 54 percent of the residents transitioned into the long-term care setting smoothly with minimal difficulties and 24 percent had difficulties that were managed using standard nursing home resources. 

They found that 10 residents were "uniquely challenging." These individuals committed intentionally aggressive acts, were extremely disruptive and "posed a danger to to the facility, the residents and the community." The researchers found that previous antisocial behavior was the best indicator of which individuals were most likely to fall into this group. 

The goal of this analysis was to assist with F tag 22, which requires facilities to identify residents "whose personal histories render them at risk for abusing other residents." 

To learn more, click here. 

Have You Tried Our Stretch Briefs Yet?

ProMed’s exclusive Embrace Adult Skin Caring Stretch briefs are in stock and ready to help you provide best-in-class incontinence care to your residents. These innovative briefs were rigorously tested by our clinical team and designed to meet our exact specifications. The end result is an exceptionally comfortable brief that moves with the resident, provides a natural fit and helps save valuable time.

The briefs are available in two standardized sizes that can comfortably accommodate a wide variety of residents thanks to the highly stretchable side panels. The Medium/Regular size fits 32"-54" waists and the Large/Extra-Large size fits 48"-66" waists.

The standardized sizing on the briefs allows you to stock just two sizes of product, freeing up valuable storage room space, reducing costs and saving caregiver time. You can also count on the briefs to be comfortable and discreet, thanks to their quiet cloth-like fabric, dual core and super-absorbency polymers.

To learn more about the Embrace Stretch briefs, contact your ProMed territory manager, click on the link above or give us a call at (800) 648-5190.

OSHA Releases New Safe Resident Handling Brochure

OSHA has released a new brochure, "Safe Patient Handling: Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nursing Homes," as part of its ongoing campaign to prevent injuries to both caregivers and residents.

The brochure contains statistics on disabling injuries that occur in healthcare environments (which far surpass other physically demanding jobs such construction) as well as the benefits of safe resident handling. It also has a listing of the elements of the successful resident handling program, including:

• Commitment from management at all levels
• A safe handling committee that involves workers at the front lines
• Thoughtful selection of equipment 
• Education and training
• Regular program evaluation

To download the brochure or view it online, click here.