McLaren Home Medical can make life easier when you go home to recuperate
Throughout our service area we have medical supply showrooms, or the capability to order most any item of rehabilitation equipment – even motorized scooters! You’ll find competitive prices with pharmacies and other medical supply houses. And – free delivery, set-up, and assistance with how to use the equipment. With a qualified diagnosis and a physician order, many rehabilitative equipment needs can be billed to insurance. We’ll help you check what items Medicare and Medicaid cover.
To reorder your diabetic, ostomy or CPAP-BIP supplies please click here.
We work hand-in-hand with McLaren HomeCare, McLaren Hospice, McLaren subsidiary hospitals, and physician offices. We strive to see that equipment is in your residence when you arrive home.
Among our medical supply and equipment capabilities:
- Respiratory services and products – oxygen therapy and oximeters
- Sleep apnea products
- Braces, splints, and physician therapy aids
- Bathroom safety equipment – commodes, raised toilet seats, grab bars, bath seats
- Manual wheelchairs, scooters and walkers
- Wound care supplies and wound care treatment
- Manual and semi-electric hospital beds – special hospital pads, sheets and gowns
- Diabetic monitoring equipment and supplies
- Patient lifts and lift chairs
- Ostomy supplies
- Post-mastectomy products (forms, bras, wigs)
- Continuous Passive Motion therapy
- Back, leg and wrist braces
- Compression stockings
- Support wedges and pillows
- Blood pressure monitoring equipment
- Orthotics (fitting your foot for maximum comfort)
- Equipment for daily living (grabbers, sponge scrubbers, lap trays)
- Intravenous equipment and supplies
- Rehabilitative exercise equipment
Something else you need? Just ask. We’re known for our perseverance. It’s our privilege to find equipment that can help you recover to your peak potential.
Click here for a printable version of the coupon.
Short of breath? You may have COPD
McLaren Home Medical Can Help
Our medical supplies division has respiratory therapists who are specially trained to care for people with COPD. They can instruct you on medications and equipment used to treat COPD. People may need a nebulizer, oxygen, or a mucus-clearing device to treat their COPD symptoms. Our therapist will help find the equipment that best suit your medical needs and your lifestyle.
What is COPD?
COPD is a term used to describe a family of lung diseases. It stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
These diseases include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and chronic asthma. These diseases begin in the bronchial tubes of the lung. They cause the bronchial tubes to narrow and "obstruct" the flow of air out of the lungs. This makes it harder to breathe. Often, there is also inflammation and/ or increased mucus production of the bronchial tubes. The inflammation and mucus are on the inside walls of the bronchial tube and cause it become even smaller. Think of it as trying to breathe through a straw. It takes a lot more work to get the air to move.
Most people who are told they have COPD have chronic bronchitis or emphysema. These diseases are similar and so is the treatment. Many people have components of both diseases. The bronchial tubes have suffered permanent damage and are often narrowed and weakened. This can cause excess air to be trapped in the lungs. There can also be destruction of the alveoli or "air sacs" in the lung. The alveolar walls are very thin and can rupture. This reduces the lungs ability to transport oxygen into the body.
Asthma is often a hereditary disease that is closely linked to allergies. Airway obstruction from asthma can often be controlled with medications. When the asthma is controlled, the lung function can be normal. Long standing uncontrolled asthma can cause permanent damage to the bronchial tubes.
What Causes COPD?
There can be many causes of COPD.
- Smoking, including second-hand smoke
- Working where there is smoke, fumes, and poor air quality
- Sometimes you inherit the genes for lung disease
Signs and Symptoms of COPD
Shortness of breath or having to slow down because you are breathing hard is a common symptom of COPD. Most people first notice shortness of breath on with activity, walking quickly or going up stairs. This can progress until almost any activity causes shortness of breath. Some people also have a chronic cough, chest tightness, or wheezing. You may also be more prone to respiratory viruses like colds and flu.
Diagnosing COPD
Your doctor will examine you, listen to your lungs, and take down your history.
A breathing test can be performed to check how well your lungs are working. The test will tell the volume (amount) of air you can move and how quickly you can empty your lungs (flow-rate). This helps to determine if you have narrowing of the bronchial tubes. A more complete test will also measure how well your lungs absorb oxygen and the total volume of air in your lungs.
Chest X-rays may also be helpful.
The Cycle of COPD
Left untreated, the inflammation from COPD can worsen and cause more damage to lung tissue. This results in more shortness of breath and decreases your ability to stay active. You may also suffer from more lung infections. Oxygen is the fuel our bodies use for everything it needs to do. When the lungs are no longer able to take in the proper amount of oxygen, all of your internal organs suffer, particularly your heart. This is why when you cannot breath, your body makes you stop and rest and your heart begins to pound faster and harder.
COPD Treatments
There are many medications and treatments available for COPD.
- bronchodilators can help to open the bronchial tubes and help clear congestion
- steroids can help to reduce inflammation
- nasal oxygen may be needed
There is even a COPD exercise and rehabilitation course available through your local McLaren affiliated hospital system to help you learn about your disease and improve your activity level.
The Diabetic Patient
Like many common diseases, diabetes is caused by a combination of multiple environmental and genetic risk factors. The exact set of environmental and genetic factors that causes diabetes in any one individual is usually not known.
Infection by certain viruses has been implicated as triggering the autoimmune reaction that causes disease in individuals with genetic susceptibility.
Risk factors that are entirely or partially environmental have been implicated in NIDDM. These include obesity, low physical activity, poor dietary habits and alcohol and tobacco use. Cardiovascular risk factors increased cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as others also increase the chance for NIIDM to develop.
Heredity is also a genetic component causing this disease.
IDDM also know as Insulin-Dependent
Diabetes Mellitus, is the most common form of diabetes. Shots of insulin are necessary on a daily basis. IDDM is thought to be an autoimmune condition in which one’s own immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Insulin production is low or absent, and onset is generally in childhood or early adulthood.
NIDDM, the most common type of diabetes,
Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, is the milder form of diabetes. Symptoms can generally be controlled with diet or oral medications that decrease blood sugar levels.
Usually there is plenty of insulin available, but the cells are not sensitive to insulin’s effects which results in the inability of insulin to move glucose to the inside of cells where it can be used. NIDDM typically develops after age 40, although it can occur at any age.
Gestational Diabetes also referred to as Diabetes of Pregnancy, is often limited to the time during which a woman is pregnant. Management of glucose levels in affected women during pregnancy is very important, because high glucose levels can have serious, negative effects on the developing fetus. Gestational diabetes usually disappears after delivery.
Products lines available for the Diabetic Customers:
Diabetic Monitors & Supplies
Diabetic Shoes
Diabetic Socks
Diabetic Skin Care
Blood Pressure Monitors
Diabetic Monitors and supplies are a covered benefit through insurance as long as a physician has prescribed this to assist in monitoring their blood sugar levels and they have a diagnosis of either NIIDM, IIDM or Gestational Diabetes.
The physician will recommend to the patient how many times a day they should check.
Most insurances will cover a certain quantity of strips and lancets per month.
There are many different types of Diabetic Monitors to choose from. Most often a patient’s Diabetic Educator will recommend the type that is most beneficial for the patient to utilize. A McLaren Home Medical employee will due a complete teaching of the Diabetic Monitor to make sure you are well educated in the use or your Diabetic Monitor.
How Does Diabetes Affect Your Feet?
Poor Blood Flow
Minor foot problems like bunions, blisters, cracked skin, corns and callusses are slow to heal or don’t heal properly due to poor blood flow. Open sores and/or infections can result.
Nerve Damage (Diabetic Neuropathy)
Damaged nerves result in numbness and a reduced ability to feel pain, raising the potential for undetected foot problems (cuts, blisters, cracked skin, corns and calluses) to become infected.
Foot Care Tips from the American Diabetes Association:
- Look at and touch your feet everyday
- Keep your feet clean and dry
- Cut or file toenails with the shape of the toe, smoothing all sharp edges
- Moisturize dry skin with a lotion
- Avoid injury to the feet. Have corns, calluses or ingrown toenails treated by a professional
- Wear well-fitting, soft leather or fabric shoes
- Check shoes daily for cracks, pebbles, or other things that might damage your feet.
- Get your blood glucose under control
- Wear well-fitting socks, without a thick toe seam, made of materials that wick moisture away from skin
A McLaren Home Medical Medical Supply employee will instruct and fit the Diabetic patient with a pair of Aetrex Diabetic/Therapeutic Shoes when prescribed by a physician.
Jobst Sensifoot Socks for the Diabetic Foot are available at McLaren Home Medical Medical Supplies.
- Sensifoot Features & Benefits
- Non-irritating, smooth toe seam
- Extra padding in the foot, heel and toe
- Acrylic multi-fiber yarns that wick away moisture
- Antibacterial Antifungal finish that inhibits growth of bacteria and fungi to help prevent odor
- Non-constricting, mild compress helps keep sock in place to prevent sliding and bunching
- Available in mini-crew, crew and knee lengths
- Available in white, navy and brown
- Not a covered benefit through insurance
Skin Therapy for the Diabetic Patient
People with diabetes, for reasons that are not yet totally understood, are far more likely to develop skin complications. Once these problems set in, they can have serious consequences, including surgical tissue removal and amputation, if they are not cared for properly.
We believe the root of diabetic skin problems lies in the narrowing of the small blood vessels near the skin. These vessels protect and nourish the skin of non-diabetics, but in people with diabetes, they become constricted and may even become completely clogged through the years.
This restricted blood supply delays healing and increases the chances of infection. The tissues dry up and gangrene can set in.
High glucose levels are probably the strongest contributing factor to neuropathy and poor circulation. This can result in dry, infection-prone skin.
Products are available to help in the prevention of infections. Diabet-X Products that are available at McLaren Home Medical Diabet-X products contains Urea…what is Urea?
Urea is a good moisturizer that binds water to the skin. It also loosens rough skin. It can exfoliate dry, callused tissue and stimulate new skin growth.
Cardiac and Hypertension risks
The risk or cardiac problems as well as hypertension is common in the diabetic patient. Increased blood pressure is not commonly thought of as a side effect with the diabetes but certainly is a risk. We can recommend to the diabetic patient that monitoring their blood pressure is important. We can show them a display of our manual and digital blood pressure units and stethascopes. Explain the benefit of one over another and let them decide what is best for them.
Summary of the Diabetic Patient and their needs.
The needs of the diabetic patient may differ. It is very important to explain the benefit of each of the diabetic products we offer.
A patient may come in for a diabetic monitor and supplies and not be aware that diabetic shoes, socks and skin care exist for their disease process. It is important to educate them on what is available to them and what is a covered benefit through their insurance.
Awareness of the signs and symptoms that they suffer from and how our Diabetic Product lines will benefit them is important to them, their physician and us. This will guide them to becoming a compliant patient who is educated about their disease process.
More Diabetic Products
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DIABETIC Med Pack
$19.95 - Item #VPA6048K
Ice sheets are made from safe, pure Wisconsin water right here in the USA.
The Flexifreeze Refreezable Ice is made domestically and contains purified water. A slight amount of chlorine is added to prevent bacterial growth.
The Flexifreeze Refreezable ice sheets are made with 9-layer polymer plastic that is designed to resist punctures and remarkable amounts of pressure.
Simply unzip and stick in your freezer. After a couple of hours remove and use. Very simple and very effective.
Keeps medicine chilled and safe when you are on the go!
Great for the Diabetics who need to keep their insulin cool.
Available at all McLaren Home Medical Medical Supply locations
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BD Safe-Clip
$5.90 - Item #BD328235
For needle disposal. Safely clips and stores up to a two-year supply of insulin syringe needles. Simple clipping action snips off and retains needles within clipper. Meets government regulations on proper method of in-home insulin syringe disposal. Compact and portable. Locks closed for travel and storage.
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Sleep Better with McLaren Home Medical
McLaren Home Medical offers large selection of sleep items to benefit those who suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Click here to learn more about these products.
McLaren Home Medical can educate you on the products that we offer to assist you at night while trying to get a good night’s sleep.
- CPAP and Accessories along with patient education
- Mediflow Waterbase Pillow and others
- Wildbleu Sleepwear to ward off night sweats
Sleep Evaluation
Click here for a free sleep evaluation, based on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. After your results are evaluated, if you would like someone to contact you with more information, please include your name and phone or email address.
McLaren Sleep Centers
For more information about Sleep Medicine Services available throughout the McLaren Health Care system, please visit www.mclaren.org/sleep.
Learn More
To learn more about sleep apnea, please visit the American Sleep Apnea Association at www.sleepapnea.org.