This is a great post from Dynarex on family care givers.  If you want to read the original article on thier website click HERE

As we gather with family this Thanksgiving, many of us reflect on the importance of caring for those we love. Have you ever found yourself helping an aging parent with daily tasks or managing a loved one’s medication schedule? If so, you’re a caregiver—whether you recognize it or not.

November is Family Caregivers Month, making it an ideal time to explore how we can better support family caregivers and their loved ones.

What is a Caregiver?

Caregiving means supporting the daily needs—physical and emotional—of someone who cannot care for themselves. Many people gradually take on this role, helping a loved one until, before they know it, it becomes a full-time responsibility. The number of caregivers has surged from 53 million in 2020 to 65.7 million Americans in the past year, yet many don’t realize the physical, emotional, and financial toll caregiving can take.

Caregivers fall into two categories: “formal” caregivers, such as nurses, and “informal” caregivers, typically family or friends, who may not always recognize the full scope of their responsibilities. This lack of recognition can lead to burnout, as the role often becomes more demanding than anticipated. By acknowledging their caregiving role and understanding that it’s more than just offering assistance, informal caregivers can access the support they need.

Beyond the Burnout: Support Starts Here

Family caregivers often face challenges that can be difficult to manage alone, so it’s important to remember they’re not only part of a larger community, but also surrounded by people ready to help. Many resources and tools are available to provide support, including:

• Financial Resources: Many caregivers face out-of-pocket expenses, yet often don’t fully utilize available resources. For instance, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers valuable financial planning, legal advice, and wellness tips for caregivers.

• Transportation and Delivery Services: Caregivers can use specialized services to schedule rides and deliveries for loved ones using their health benefits, reducing the burden of transportation. Platforms like Uber Caregiver allow caregivers to arrange medical appointments, prescription deliveries, and other essential errands with ease.

• Respite Care: Respite care offers temporary relief to caregivers, allowing them to recharge and attend to their own needs. Despite more than a third of family caregivers recognizing the need for such support, only 14% receive respite services due to a lack of awareness or societal stigma.

Essential Tools for Caregiver Safety

As caregiving is often a long-term commitment, it’s important to address the physical demands of the role. Using the right tools and equipment can help prevent injuries and improve care for both caregivers and patients.

• Homecare Beds: Adjustable beds can be set to a height that ensures comfort and proper ergonomics for the caregiver, helping to prevent back strain. These beds can also be customized to offer maximum comfort and support, particularly for patients with limited mobility.

• Patient Lifts: Patient lifts reduce physical strain on caregivers by eliminating the need for manual lifting. They help prevent injuries like back strain and muscle tears, providing safer and more efficient care.

• Mobility Aids: Wheelchairs, walkers, and transfer devices can help caregivers move patients safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of injury. These aids can help patients maintain their mobility and independence, improving their quality of life.

A New Era of Caregiver Assistance

Caring for a loved one is rewarding but challenging. Recognizing the importance of their role is the first step for caregivers to acknowledge their own needs and seek support. By understanding the challenges and opportunities, caregivers can better equip themselves to provide compassionate care. This Family Caregivers Month, let’s prioritize supporting those who give so much to others!

Great News! Plenty Paper Towels Are Back in Stock at Our Store

We have fantastic news to share with you today! After a brief period of limited availability, Plenty paper towels are now fully restocked in our warehouse. We know how much you rely on them for your daily cleaning needs, and we're thrilled to bring them back for you.

Why Choose Plenty Paper Towels?

Plenty paper towels are renowned for their:

• Superior Absorbency: Tackle spills and messes with ease.
• Strength and Durability: Tough on cleaning tasks, gentle on surfaces.
• Versatility: Perfect for kitchen use, cleaning projects, and more.

Whether you're wiping down countertops, handling accidental spills, or embarking on a deep-cleaning mission, Plenty paper towels are your reliable partner.

Stock Up While Supplies Last

Given their popularity and limited availability, we anticipate they might fly off the shelves quickly. We encourage you to contact us soon to replenish your supply and perhaps grab a few extras!

Thank You for Your Patience

We sincerely appreciate your understanding during the shortage. Your loyalty means the world to us, and we're committed to ensuring you have access to the products you love.

 

In today's world, where hygiene and cleanliness are paramount, the choice of the right disinfectant wipes becomes crucial, especially in healthcare settings. Among the numerous options available, three heavyweights stand out: Purell Healthcare Surface Disinfectant Wipes, PDI Super Sani-Cloth® Germicidal Disposable Wipes, and Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes. Each of these wipes brings its own set of features and benefits to the table, catering to specific needs and preferences within the healthcare industry.

Purell Healthcare Surface Disinfectant Wipes

Purell, a trusted name in hand hygiene, extends its expertise to surface disinfection with its Healthcare Surface Disinfectant Wipes. These wipes are formulated to kill 99.9% of germs on surfaces while being gentle enough to use around patients. Their non-toxic and fragrance-free formula makes them suitable for a variety of settings, including patient rooms, waiting areas, and laboratories.

What sets Purell wipes apart is their compatibility with a wide range of surfaces, including acrylic, glass, metal, and plastic. This versatility ensures comprehensive disinfection throughout healthcare facilities without the risk of damaging sensitive equipment or materials. Additionally, the absence of harsh chemicals makes them safe for frequent use without causing irritation or residue buildup.

PDI Super Sani-Cloth® Germicidal Disposable Wipes

PDI Super Sani-Cloth® wipes are renowned for their broad spectrum efficacy against harmful pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These disposable wipes are designed to meet the stringent standards of healthcare environments, where thorough disinfection is non-negotiable. With a fast contact time and durable material, they offer convenience without compromising on effectiveness.

One of the key features of Super Sani-Cloth® wipes is their alcohol-based formula, which evaporates quickly, leaving behind a clean and dry surface. This attribute makes them ideal for high-touch areas such as exam tables, door handles, and medical equipment. Moreover, their large size ensures ample coverage, reducing the need for multiple wipes during routine cleaning protocols.

Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes

Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes harness the power of sodium hypochlorite, a proven disinfectant, to eliminate a broad spectrum of pathogens, including Clostridium difficile (C. diff) spores. These wipes are EPA-registered and comply with OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards, making them a preferred choice for healthcare facilities where infection control is paramount.

The bleach-based formula of Clorox wipes provides assurance against some of the most resilient pathogens encountered in healthcare settings. Their ready-to-use convenience and superior efficacy make them indispensable for disinfecting surfaces in critical care areas, isolation rooms, and surgical suites. Despite their potent disinfecting properties, Clorox wipes are designed to be gentle on surfaces, minimizing the risk of corrosion or discoloration.

Conclusion

In the battle of disinfectant wipes, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The choice between Purell Healthcare Surface Disinfectant Wipes, PDI Super Sani-Cloth® Germicidal Disposable Wipes, and Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes ultimately depends on factors such as specific disinfection needs, surface compatibility, and user preferences.

Healthcare facilities must evaluate each option based on efficacy, safety, and ease of use to determine the most suitable solution for their unique requirements. Whether it's the gentle touch of Purell, the broad spectrum efficacy of PDI Super Sani-Cloth®, or the potent disinfection of Clorox Healthcare, each wipe plays a vital role in upholding the highest standards of cleanliness and infection control in healthcare environments.

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news with our loyal customers! After a temporary period of unavailability, we're excited to announce that Ensure Original and Ensure Plus with Fiber are now back in stock and ready to ship. We understand the importance of these nutritional products in your life, and we've worked tirelessly to resolve the supply issues that temporarily interrupted their availability.

Trends and Opportunities

The homecare market has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, driven by various factors such as an aging population, increased awareness of healthcare, and advancements in technology. As we delve into the dynamics of this burgeoning industry, it becomes evident that the homecare market is not just about elderly care; it encompasses a broad spectrum of services designed to cater to the diverse needs of individuals of all ages. In this blog post, we will explore the key trends, challenges, and opportunities within the homecare market.

1. The Aging Population

One of the most significant drivers of the homecare market is the aging population. As the baby boomer generation enters their golden years, the demand for in-home care services has surged. This demographic shift has created a massive market for services like home health care, personal care, and companionship services. Homecare providers are adapting to meet the unique needs of seniors, offering a range of services to help them age in place comfortably.

2. Technological Advancements

Technology is revolutionizing the homecare industry. Innovations like telehealth, wearable devices, and remote monitoring tools are enabling caregivers to provide more efficient and effective care. Patients and their families can now access real-time health data, communicate with healthcare professionals, and receive care remotely, reducing the need for frequent in-person visits. This not only improves patient outcomes but also enhances the overall homecare experience.

3. Personalization and Customization

Consumer preferences are evolving, and individuals are seeking more personalized and customized homecare solutions. This trend is driving the development of tailored care plans that cater to the unique needs and preferences of each client. Homecare providers are recognizing the importance of individualized care and are offering a range of services that can be personalized to fit a client's specific requirements.

4. Rising Healthcare Costs

The rising cost of healthcare is pushing more individuals and families to explore homecare options as a cost-effective alternative to institutional care. Homecare services often prove to be more affordable than long-term care facilities or hospital stays. As a result, insurance providers and government agencies are increasingly incentivizing and supporting homecare as a viable and economical healthcare solution.

5. Workforce Challenges

While the demand for homecare services is soaring, the industry is grappling with a shortage of qualified caregivers. Recruiting and retaining skilled professionals is a significant challenge for homecare agencies. This workforce shortage underscores the need for training and educational programs to prepare more individuals for careers in caregiving.

6. Regulatory Changes

The homecare industry is subject to various regulations and licensure requirements that can vary from one location to another. Staying compliant with these regulations is crucial for providers, as non-compliance can lead to fines or even the closure of their business. Keeping abreast of evolving regulations is essential for homecare agencies to maintain their operations and provide quality care.

7. Market Expansion

The homecare market is not limited to elderly care. It extends to pediatric care, post-operative care, and individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities. This diversification of services is opening up new opportunities for homecare providers to cater to a broader client base. As the awareness of these services grows, the market is likely to continue expanding.

Conclusion

The homecare market is experiencing a transformative period, driven by demographic shifts, technological advancements, and changing consumer preferences. As the industry evolves, it presents numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and healthcare professionals. To succeed in this dynamic market, it's essential to stay updated with the latest trends and regulations, while also focusing on providing high-quality, personalized care to meet the diverse needs of clients of all ages. As the demand for homecare services continues to rise, the potential for growth and innovation in this industry is limitless.

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Many people may not be aware of what Monkeypox is, the symptoms, and how it spreads. Here is a great post by Gojo, the makers of Purell with lots of information including how to prevent it.

https://www.gojo.com/en/Newsroom/Blog/2022/What-Is-Monkeypox-And-Should-I-Be-Concerned

Right now there seems to be an abundance of companies trying to offload their surplus gloves. Many are offering unbelievable prices. You might ask how can one glove be so much cheaper than another glove? There may be many reasons why. Here are a few things to consider when evaluating a glove.

1. Manufacturer - Over the past few years there have been many "Pop-up" glove companies. People have seen an opportunity to get in on the action of selling gloves to make a quick buck. We have had countless companies contact us to sell their gloves. Having been in the industry for over 30 years we know most of the reputable manufacturers out there. Many of these "Pop-up" companies will not be around when they have dumped their inventory. If you have a problem with your gloves, who will you turn to? How do you know that the gloves they are suppling meet the stringent requirements for a medical grade glove as set forth by the FDA? Are you willing to roll the dice on the safety of your staff and patients? The gloves we sell are all from reputable companies that have been manufacturing gloves for many years. They stand by their products and will be around to back that up!
2. Are your gloves Medical grade? - Prices on everything are CRAZY! Reimbursement hasn't kept up with the increased cost. We are all trying to find ways to save money. Many out there are selling gloves at prices that just seem too good to be true. How can they do that? In addition to the "Pop-up" companies wanting to dump their stock many are selling gloves into industries where those gloves are not approved. Being in the healthcare industry using just any glove will not work. Industrial gloves are cheaper for a reason. They don't go through the approval process that gloves in the medical industry need to go through. Medical grade gloves have very strict testing requirements they need to pass and therefore do cost more. Are you using a quality medical grade glove? Ask us about our medical grade gloves!
3. Quantity - For many years the industry standard has been 10 boxes of 100 gloves in a case. Now there are many more options. Many cases still come with 10 boxes but with advances in packaging manufacturers have been able to put 150, 200, and even 300 gloves in a box with minimal size increases in the boxes. Typically the more gloves you can fit in a box the lower price per glove. A couple things to be on the lookout for if you do decide to go to higher quantity gloves boxes. First, The boxes may not fit into your glove box holders. Ask about the actual size of the box to make sure they will fit. Second, Just because the glove is from the same manufacturer as the standard 100 count boxes don't assume the glove is the same. Many times the only way to get that many gloves in a box is to slightly alter the glove. This doesn't mean the glove won't perform well but it may be a good idea to get some samples.
4. Inventory - Overall we have seen a decent decline in prices since the height of the pandemic. Some stock comes in a one price while other stock come in at another. As manufacturers and distributors move through their inventory, pricing will continue to change. Check back with your supplier often to get current prices. One month your regular supplier may be higher but as they move through the inventory the next month they may be lower.

If you have any questions about gloves we offer please don't hesitate to contact us. We strive to provide as much information and transparency as possible so that you can make the best decisions for your business.

Over the past couple years our world has been changed and turned upside down in many instances.  From family and friend interactions to some businesses finding success and many others finding hardships and even failures.  We at Bio-Medic are greatly appreciative of the support you all have shown us in this time of great change and challenge.  Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, is quoted as saying "change is the only constant in life."  That has certainly been true!  While we all continue to navigate this ever-changing environment, I would like to let you all know what we are doing at Bio-Medic to help with this and to provide as much calmness as possible in this turbulent time. 

1. No more auto attendant phone answering.  We recognize that your time is very valuable. You no longer need to go through and wait to speak to someone.  Every time you call during business hours you will be speaking to a live person who will be able to help immediately.
2. Dedicated account representative.  It seems that the supply chain and product availability is not getting any better. In fact, in many instances, it is getting worse.  By having a dedicated account representative, they know you and your business and can keep you up to date on inventory levels, estimated dates on inbound stock, and quality alternative products.
3. Prices.  This is a big one.  Price changes have been almost constant the past two years and change daily.  We are working with our vendor partners to increase stock levels. This will help keep backorders to an absolute minimum, keep pricing as level as possible, and in some instances, you will see price decreases.  This month we have been able to offer a significant price DECREASE in our medical exam gloves!  We hope to lower prices even more in the near future.
4. Quality alternative products.  In this challenging time, we have expanded our product lines to offer quality products at different price points to meet all your needs.
5. Communication is Key!  We have implemented procedures behind the scenes to better keep you informed.  If you are like us, you know that many things now a days are beyond our control but being informed is not one of them.  It has been said knowledge is power.  But let me go a step further. Knowledge is power when acted upon. Product availability can be very slim at times if you don’t know you are not getting a product you can’t seek alternatives.  At the very least you should know if you are going to get the items ordered or not.  By being as transparent as possible we may lose a few sales, but we hope to gain your trust that when we say something we mean it.

We greatly appreciate you partnering with us to serve the communities you live and work in and look forward to our

We received an email from one of our glove partners last week. In this unprecedented time there are some who are willing to take advantage of people and businesses. We have seen it even with our own customers. Know who you are working with! Below is the body of the email.

In recent weeks there have been several reports of US distributors falling victim to glove scams. Collectively, these companies have lost several hundred thousand dollars on these scams. 

As we all know, the glove industry is oversold. Manufacturers do not have enough production capacity to fill demand. Worse, nitrile dipping latex production capacities are now maxed out. It’s difficult for manufacturers to obtain sufficient raw material. There is a severe shortage and no manufacturer has any excess production. Their existing customers are standing in line to buy. 

As a result, the only plentiful things in the glove business today are SCAMS. Please be aware that glove scams are rampant, and they have become a significant problem.

We see dozens of scam emails every day. All of them refer to large quantities of product, usually “millions of boxes” of gloves. This product is unlikely to exist. If the source of the offer is a party you do not know, it’s extremely unlikely there are any gloves available. Particularly if the offer is telling you there is an ongoing “monthly” quantity available. There isn’t.    

THERE ARE NO LARGE QUANTITIES OF GLOVES AVAILABLE TO BUY. 

Scammers have been presented with a perfect opportunity to take advantage of desperation, and it is easy for them to find interested parties. These pop-up companies offer gloves that they never intend to deliver. They disappear as soon as the deposit has been paid.

IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE COMPANY, DON’T SEND THEM MONEY. 

The following is an excerpt from an email exchange with one of our primary suppliers discussing an offer that had been sent to one of our customers:  

“We have seen it all, LC, money into escrow account, bank directly into factory accounts; but all of them will change the mode of payment midway into negotiation after deposit. There is absolutely no reason for us to supply via 3^rd party. We have the resources to reach our customers. Why would we go through a 3^rd party to sell gloves?  I can assure you 99.99% of these offers are fake. There might be possibility of reselling of old stocks into the international market but the quantity cannot be in the millions of boxes...and certainly not facilitated by any of the major glove manufacturers.  Also, all our distributors in Malaysia are barred from re-exporting.

Also think about this…most of these offers are in the millions of boxes. You know there is no way we or any manufacturer can offer this and continue to support our customers and you know this perfectly well as we are still supplying you. 30m boxes or 3B of gloves deliver over 5 months is a huge quantity. To date we have seen more than 150 of these offers….they are brought to our attention by our customers or from people reaching out to us to do verification.”

The above exchange was in late July. They had already seen over 150 separate scams at that point. 

• In June, the Royal Thai Police raided a warehouse in Bangkok that was re-packing used gloves. Yes – you read that right – there are operations re-boxing USED gloves.

• There are multiple examples of non-medical, and/or used gloves being packed in counterfeit medical glove boxes. Counterfeiting is becoming an increasingly big problem and there’s no telling what is actually in the box. In Asia it’s very easy to print whatever you want, so they print counterfeit boxes of products commonly sold in North America.  

• There are no “manufacturer consortiums” offering millions of boxes.  We have seen several versions of that particular scam. No manufacturer needs any help selling product right now, and, as we mentioned before, there are no large quantities of gloves available to sell.

• If you get a video showing you thousands of cases of gloves as proof that the product exists, look at those cases carefully. You’ll probably notice something odd. For instance, if the word “Disposable” is used where you should see the word “Exam”, those are not medical grade gloves.

Please be aware and use extreme caution when vetting these offers. Almost all of them are scams. If a known glove company is offering you product, buy it. If you don’t know the company offering you gloves, please assume it’s a scam and don’t prepay anything. 

Wishing you well,

The IHC Team

This is a great link on the importance of having a clean facemask. Besides COVID-19 contaminating the mask there are tons of other viruses and bacteria that can weaken your overall heath when you wear a dirty mask.

https://blogs.webmd.com/public-health/20200612/how-often-should-i-wash-my-face-mask