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A New Year, A New You Through HBOT
Are you tired of making the same old New Year’s resolutions each year, only to find yourself failing before January is even over? Are you really going to make the same vague “lose weight” or “quit smoking” promises in an effort to feel better?
Why not try something different? Something relatively easy. Something without the dangerous side effects of many medications. Something generally comfortable and pain-free.
At Hyperbaric Medical Solutions (HMS), we use pure oxygen, under pressure, to help treat 40+ different medical conditions, diseases and ailments including cancer, stroke, autism, diabetic ulcers, Alzheimer’s disease, and gastrointestinal problems. The complete list of conditions is available here: http://bit.ly/QPH7Zz.
Treatment for many of these conditions is covered by insurance. However, HMS is committed to working out financial arrangements whenever possible with patients without insurance coverage for HBO-therapy. So if you are suffering, please call either the Medford or Woodbury offices for a consultation.
Running a 5K is one way to fitness and good health. But we can’t all do that. In fact, many of us shouldn’t try. Even walking can be a challenge for people with certain medical conditions or who are injured, overweight, or in chronic pain. HBOT may be the answer for those who need to start on the road to wellness in a simple way.
HBOT is something virtually everyone can do to help improve many ailments… because all you do is breathe. Just lay there in a clear, comfortable, climate-controlled HBOT chamber and breathe in the pure oxygen. Saturate your cells and tissues with oxygen while watching your preferred TV show or movie, your head resting on a fluffy pillow. Or just drift off to sleep.
Does this sound like a New Year’s resolution that you could keep?
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What New Year’s resolution did you make this year?
Photo Credit: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=happy+new+year
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Tagged autism, cancer, Conditions HBOT can treat, diabetic ulcers, gastrointestinal disease and hbot, hbo therapy, hbot, HBOT and Alzheimer's, HBOT benefits, HBOT New Year's Resolution, healing power of oxygen, HMS, hyperbaric medical solutions, hyperbaric oxygen medford, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, hyperbaric oxygen woodbury, LI hyperbaric oxygen, long island hyperbaric, stroke
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What Do I Buy Someone with Special Needs?
Hyperbaric Medical Solutions provides HBO-therapy for many special needs patients and, knowing them, their parents, and their caregivers as well as we do, we’d like to share some tips for buying gifts for people with special needs.
Special consideration should be taken when shopping for special needs children with autism, cerebral palsy, or other conditions which present developmental or physical challenges. (And the same idea applies for adults with special needs or those whose abilities have been affected by conditions such as stroke or traumatic brain injury).
The best gift will be one that addresses the person’s wants and needs.
Here is a handy checklist for shopping for those with special needs:
1. Always consult with the person, or their parent or caregiver, before buying a gift.
2. Do they need any special equipment to help them communicate or learn or move more easily? There are a full range of tablets from VTech to iPads with programs and apps to educate, entertain, or help with speech development and social skills. For more information on popular apps this holiday season, check out iTaalk http://www.facebook.com/iTaalk
3. Consider a gift card to a place or activity tailored to those with special needs. There are swim or music lessons, dance or karate classes, and sensory-sensitive movie showings. Contact the school district’s Special Ed. P.T.A (SEPTA) for a list of local businesses that reach out to those special needs. For movie information, call your local AMC movie theater.
4. Many HMS patients use other non-traditional or holistic therapies, in addition to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Consider a gift card to a local Wellness Center or practitioner that offers holistic services such as nutritional support, NAET (allergy elimination therapy), chiropractic care, chelation, brain core therapy. For a list of HMS partners who provide these and other related services, please click here: http://hyperbaricmedicalsolutions.com/about-hms-partners/.
5. If shopping for a toy for a special needs child, do not assume they will like (or even be able to play with) a toy meant for a “typical” child of their age. While the special needs child may be far behind developmentally in some cases, they can also be far advanced in others. Small building block toys may be hard to hold for those with fine motor issues, sports equipment may be inappropriate for those with gross motor challenges and loud or blinking toys may be loathed by children who are hypersensitive to noise or light. And very importantly, foam dart guns and other such toys which require an understanding of the concept of danger should be avoided. (Many special needs children struggle with an inability to recognize and heed danger.)
6. If shopping for clothes for a special needs child, don’t buy anything stiff or frilly without checking with the parent. Even if it’s calling your name, walk past that itchy pink ballet tutu. Many special needs children are sensitive to how clothes feel. Soft, comfortable cotton is the safest bet.
7. Accept the recommendation or request of the parent without judgment. If their 15 year old wants a new Barney video, buy it. It’s about making the child happy.
By following these suggestions, your gift will hit the mark every time!
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Is there a special needs person on your list this year? Did any of these tips help you shop for the perfect gift? Do you have any other tips to add?
Photo credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/search.php?search=shopping&cat=&page=3&gid_search=&photogid=0
Three Tips on Giving the Gift of Your Time This Holiday Season
image courtesy of free digital photos.net
Life is busy, especially around this time of year. People are working multiple jobs and shuttling over-scheduled children to activities. The leisurely visits with friends over coffee and cake have been replaced with a ten minute scan of the Facebook newsfeed. In this frenzy, the sick and disabled…and their caregivers…are often overlooked. It’s not intentional. But that doesn’t make it hurt any less.
People facing challenges often feel more depressed during the holidays, especially if they are isolated and see others enjoying the holiday spirit. You don’t need to tell them that your plans don’t include them. Facebook does it for you.
Many of our patients at Hyperbaric Medical Solutions have great holiday spirit, in part, because they may be feeling the healing benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and have great hope for the coming New Year. Others may feel overwhelmed by the challenges of their condition or disease.
If you’d like to be part of the solution, here are:
3 Tips on Giving the Gift of Your Time:
1. Do you know of a caregiver to a HBO-therapy patient? If so, why not offer to come along to one of the treatment sessions? Your uninterrupted conversation while her loved one is safely relaxing in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber could be just what your friend needs to get through the rest of the week. Plus, you could witness the fascinating world of HBOT up close and personal!
2. Do you know of a parent of a special needs child? If so, nothing is more welcome than a chance to get out to the toy store to shop for an hour or two… or just get out of the house… without the kids. Did you know that many special needs parents can’t afford babysitting or don’t have someone they can trust with their special needs child (whose condition may demand constant vigilance and attention)? Whether you can be that babysitter… or can even just lend an ear over coffee and cake… your visit could help.
3. Do you know any wounded warriors? Many of our HBOT patients are veterans or active military service members, suffering from combat-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We see how many of these soldiers struggle with their conditions and feelings of isolation. Why not stop by your local veteran’s home or hospital with a plateful of home-made holiday cookies and a smile? On Long Island, we have one in Stony Brook http://www.listateveteranshome.org/ . Or contact the Wounded Warrior Project at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or Team Red White and Blue (Team RWB) at http://teamrwb.org/ for suggestions on how you can help brighten a wounded soldier’s holiday.
Charity doesn’t have to cost money. In tough economic times, the heart may be willing but the wallet may not be. Could the gift of your time…one hour…make a difference in someone’s life? (It could make a difference in your life, too!)
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Do you have plans to spend time brightening up the holidays for someone? Any other ideas or suggestions of worthy projects? Please share your “feel good” story here.
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Tagged ASD, autism, caregiver support, cerebral palsy, ease holiday depression, hbo therapy, hbot, healing power of oxygen, HMS, holiday charity, holiday depression, hyperbaric medical solutions, hyperbaric medicine, long island hyperbaric, Long Island State Veteran's Home, Post traumatic stress disorder, ptsd, special needs child, special needs parent, tbi, Team RWB, traumatic brain injury, veterans, Wounded warrior, wounded warrior project
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HMS Recognizes National Caregiver’s Month
image courtesy of free digital photos.net
At Hyperbaric Medical Solutions, we use Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or (HBOT) to treat patients suffering from over 40 different medical conditions and diseases, including stroke, cancer, TBI, autism, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes to name just a few.
While each of these diseases and conditions is different, they have something in common: the patient who is suffering almost always has a caregiver. And the caregiver is suffering, too.
It takes a special kind of person to be a caregiver.
The caregiver is a selfless master of multi-tasking. Caregivers are cooks, housekeepers, secretaries, chauffeurs, therapists, nurses, insurance claim handlers, advocates, and cheerleaders for their loved one. And that’s on top of all the other responsibilities of life, like a job and other family members’ needs. And their own needs.
Who takes care of the caregiver?
Sadly, too often caregivers overlook their own needs. They are so busy attending to their loved ones that they neglect themselves, especially if there is no one to help them. Over time this overwhelming situation can cause not only depression and resentment, but can jeopardize the caregiver’s own health. And then who will be left to care for the patient?
At HMS, we often get to know the caregivers of our patients as they sit in the waiting room or outside the hyperbaric chamber while the patient is having treatments. While their love is evident, the toll of caregiving is as well. And this concerns us.
If you know someone who is a caregiver, please reach out in any way you can. Offer real support, not just “If you need anything, call me.” Ask them specifically what they need. Persist if they answer “Nothing.” Offer suggestions. Can you make them a meal or run an errand like grocery shopping? If so, tell them “I’m coming over with a lasagna dinner at 7 on Friday, does that work for you?” Can you take their loved one to a doctor’s appointment? Maybe you can sit with their loved one for a few hours, or overnight, and provide a much needed break for the caregiver. If you can take a caregiver out for coffee or dinner or a massage, do it. If not, call them and drop over with coffee and cake once in a while so they have some company. Better yet, how about a weekly date to watch a favorite TV show together? (Remember to offer to bring the food or cake and drink, and don’t let them wait on you or your visit will just be more work for them.)
If you are a caregiver, please remember to take care of yourself. Don’t put off doctor’s appointments. Accept help or ask for it. You need a break. Everyone does. Remember what they say on airplanes: “If the oxygen mask drops, put it on you first. Then assist others.”
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What are the most rewarding and most challenging aspects of being a caregiver?
Photo credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Gestures_g185-Old_And_Young_Women_Holding_Hand_p65346.html
HMS Open House Saturday, September 24
HMS is excited to announce its Open House on Saturday, September 24, from 2pm-6pm, at its Medford location. We welcome you to stop by with family and friends to discover how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can help you and your family.
Posted in News and Events
Tagged arthritis, autism, cancer, carbon monoxide poisoning, cerbral palsy, chronic wounds, diabetes, diabetic ulcers, hbo therapy, hbot, hyperbaric, hyperbaric medical solutions, li hyperbarics, long island, long island hyperbaric, lyme disease, migraines, parkinson's, radiation damage, stroke, suffolk county, tbi, thermal burns, traumatic brain injury, vascular disease, wound care
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