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Arthritis is a joint disorder that causes inflammation in the joints, resulting in pain and discomfort for those afflicted. Arthritis is the biggest cause of disability in Ireland, affecting almost 1 million people in all different age groups, from newborns to the very elderly. Arthritis patients can regularly experience issues with mobility and comfort, making movement and activities around the home difficult.

Beechfield Healthcare has the following advice for making life easier in the home for people dealing with arthritis.

Look after your health

With a difficult health disorder like arthritis, looking after your wellbeing can often seem like a daunting and impossible task. However, there are ways in which you can take good care of yourself at home while dealing with the condition. They are as follows:

• Do some gentle exercise at night. It will result in less joint stiffness the next morning.
• When sitting down and relaxing, it is important to adjust position frequently and move the joints as much as possible. Make sure to take regular breaks so that you don’t overuse a joint and walk around every now and then to decrease stiffness in this area.
• Be mindful of maintaining a balanced diet. In addition to exercise, a varied and healthy diet will keep weight off. Being overweight whilst suffering from arthritis can lead to complications and increase joint pain.
• These health precautions extend to smoking, which causes stress on the connective tissues in the joints.
• Emotional health is important too. While it may be difficult at times, it is important to develop and maintain a positive, can-do attitude to make improvements in your lifestyle and increase overall happiness.

Staying safe

Exercise and medication are important for looking after your health and keeping arthritis under control. However, caution must be taken so that these activities are carried out safely. See our pointers below:

• Concentrate on physical activities that build muscles around the joints without causing damage to the joints themselves. Consult an occupational therapist on how to carry out these activities safely.
• Avoid high impact, repetitive motion exercises like running and aerobics. Instead focus on low impact activities such as walking, cycling and swimming.
• Consult a pharmacist on over-the-counter medications that can help relieve joint pain or discomfort. If over-the-counter medications do not relieve pain, visit your GP and ask for advice.
• Indulge yourself from time to time with relaxation therapies such as massages, acupuncture and meditation. These treatments relieve pain and help the body unwind.

Conclusion

If arthritis is affecting your mobility or comfort, we have a range of products available that should make day-to-day activities more convenient and increase overall independence.

As we get older, our cognitive abilities begin to diminish. Cognitive abilities are the mental skills we use to carry out daily tasks, be they household chores, carrying out tasks in public or pursuing hobbies. Cognitive abilities will gradually deteriorate as we age and this is quite often a normal part of ageing. However, cognitive deterioration can sometimes be symptoms of more serious mental conditions, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Beechfield Healthcare has the following tips on how to be aware of cognitive ageing and the best way of staying safe under such conditions.

Assess the home environment

Cognitive decline can make certain activities in the home potentially dangerous. This includes carrying out household activities and using appliances and tools as the homeowner may experience memory loss or confusion during such tasks. The following pointers highlight some ways to make the home environment safer for someone with cognitive decline.

• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers visible 
  in the home so that they can be called in case of an emergency. These include numbers for doctors, caregivers, helplines and emergency services. A magnetic sticky pad or sign containing these numbers can be placed on a wall, fridge, mantle or kitchen cabinets.
• Adjust water temperatures 
  so that the homeowner doesn’t accidentally scald themselves with hot water taps, baths or showers. By placing a limit on water temperature, you can prevent painful accidents.
• Keep the home clutter free 
  so that the homeowner can move about freely and with as little risk as possible to their personal safety. Develop and plan a routine for household activities and adjust items in the house to meet these routines.
• Be careful with medications. 
  Leaving various medications around can be dangerous for someone suffering with memory problems. Keep a written schedule of medications, when they need to be used and when they are used to ensure correct dosage daily. When medication is not needed, keep it locked away in a drawer or medicine
  cabinet.
• Maintain independence and pursue hobbies. 
  Cognitive decline can be a serious, daily struggle or an occasional inconvenience. Either way, it is important to maintain independence. Finding a hobby, working on mental-based activities and socialising with others will sharpen the mind and improve emotional health.

Conclusion

If you are worried about your own cognitive abilities or those of a loved one, Beechfield Healthcare are here to help. Feel free to get in touch with us for advice.

Riser recliner armchairs are convenient for people with mobility issues. These armchairs can seat a person comfortably and assist them in rising to a safe standing position, with just a touch of a button. Here are another five reasons riser recliners are of benefit to people.

It eases standing up

For some people, getting up from seats can be a painful or awkward process. A riser recliner will ease this and make life more convenient for its user. By pressing a button on the chair, the seat and arms will slowly rise up, allowing that person to stand up. Another button on the seat will allow the chair to slowly move down when the user wishes to sit down.

It provides convenience and independence

With the easy-to-use controls on riser recliners, the user has a more control over their difficulties. The recliner provides them with the help that they need in standing up, and the ability to carry out activities alone and independently without the need for aid from family, friends or a carer.

It’s a source of comfort

Riser recliners are built for comfort and provide a relaxing seating experience for its users. These soft, cushioned armchairs will allow the user to recline back and forwards and rest their feet on the footrests in a position that suits them best. The user can adjust the seat forward for reading, watching television and socialising or push it back for sleeping and resting.

It can help ease physical ailments

Electric recliner risers are of great benefit to people with back problems and swollen legs as they lighten certain symptoms and conditions associated with these ailments. These seats will distribute the user’s weight evenly so there is less pressure on joints and muscles. The ability to move positions will also aid healthy blood circulation, preventing illnesses and sores.

There are a variety of extra features available

There are many types of riser recliner chairs, that will be suited to each individual and any ailments they may have. Some recliners have heating and massage features to ease pain, aid circulation and increase comfort. Some chairs will even extend completely flat, allowing its user to enjoy short periods of sleep. Riser recliners come in all shapes, sizes and styles so the right one should be out there to match its user requirements.

Conclusion

At Beechfield Healthcare, we have a large variety of riser recliners to choose from. And right now, we have some amazing discounts and special offers. You can find our range of quality riser recliners here.

“The kitchen is the heart of any home” is a popular phrase widely proclaimed by the masses. While the kitchen is a place for households and friends to commune and share food in comfort, it is also notorious for hosting a number of threatening household hazards, if its occupants aren’t careful. Beechfield Healthcare has the following tips on how to keep a safe and secure kitchen and avoid any potential dangers as you go about your daily business.

Plan your kitchen the right way

You might not be able to rearrange kitchen counters and large appliances but you can still be smart with the placement of your utensils. Having the right kitchen utensils near the correct units is a must for all kitchen owners, particularly those dealing with mobility or other physical issues. Keep oven mitts near the oven and make sure sharp objects such as knifes are safely stowed away in a convenient, easy-to-access location.

Stay on top of things

Food preparation will result in dirty cutlery, scattered utensils and spillages across kitchen floors, appliances and units. For a healthy kitchen environment, it is best to clear up spoils as soon as possible. A clean environment will protect you from harmful bacteria, particularly if you’re susceptible and vulnerable to common illnesses. Wiping up spillages prevent any falls or injuries. Be careful that heated units, such as cooking hobs, kettles or cooking appliances, are given time to cool before cleaning.

Don’t be complacent

Using kitchen appliances is such a common thing for homeowners that we sometimes take kitchen safety for granted. There are many small mistakes in the kitchen that can lead to accidents. Never cook while wearing loose clothing or accessories as these can get caught in utensils or catch fire. Make sure to wash hands thoroughly before food preparation to rid yourself of harmful bacteria. Turn pot handles away from the front of the stove to prevent dangerous spillages and make sure to store away temperature sensitive foods as quickly as possible.

Look into making adjustments

For people struggling with disabilities, there are hireable professionals out there who can make adjustments to aid and convenience you in the kitchen. There are many mod cons available for kitchens nowadays such as pan holders that keep pots in place when in use, wall ovens, adjustable countertops, pull-out surfaces and sling belts which attach to counters and help people stand more securely.

The kitchen may be the heart of the home but it’s not without its dangers. By following the above tips, you can ensure a greater level of security in your home and avoid dangerous occurrences in future.