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Do You Have Breathing Problems? Featured

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I think that we would all agree that breathing is essential to living.  When our bodies do not get enough oxygen, what happens? The most common reaction to a lack of oxygen is a sensation of panic, because our brain is very smart.  Our brains tell our lungs to respond with small, quick breaths to compensate for the feeling that we do not have enough air. Loss of oxygen and/or breathing problems make us pay a big price when it comes to our health.  One of the most common breathing problems is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

There are many places on the internet that explain the process of how oxygen is carried from the lungs throughout the body.  If you currently have breathing problems you know from your Priimary Care Physician and/or Pulmonologist that once your breathing problems start to affect your ability to function, they can no longer be ignored.  Your physician and treatment team have many medication options to choose from, with the primary goal being; to open up your lung capacity to breathe more easily.Some people think that if they take off their oxygen when they do activities and "test their lungs," that they do themselves a favor and are strengthening their lung capacity.  For most people the reverse actually happens.  The lungs have to work harder and the person becomes more fatigued.  If you have been told to wear your oxygen for a certain number of hours per day, or specifically when you are doing activity, please follow your physician's advice.  Not wearing your oxygen does not make your lungs stronger.  It makes you feel weaker.My concern is your ability to function (as always).  What type of functional limitation do breathing problems impose on you?  The most annoying limitation that patients complain of is Fatigue or Decreased Energy.  It makes sense though.  With a decrease in your ability to oxygenate your body; your muscles, nerves, brain and all vital organs do not get to the same level of strength you used to have.  So the plan to manage these conditions functionally is to CONSERVE ENERGY.You need to conserve the energy you do have, and not waste it all on the necessary activities you HAVE to do, but try to save some energy for the things that you LIKE to do.Please realize that your physician and treatment team know your needs better than I do, and this advice NEVER should take the place of what you have been told to do by them.  But, here's what I want you to try.  I want you to modify your approach to your Activities of Daily Living (ADL'S). We call this; Using Energy Conservation Techniques.

This is something that most Occupational Therapists preach to their patients.  Some listen and some don't.  I am just asking you and your care-partner to try a few of these ideas and see if they help:   

Start out by preparing your area:


Get your underwear, clothes, (including shoes and socks) 2-3 hand towels, shampoo, soap and any other things you need.    
     

      1.  Sit to shower. (Look under the HOME MANAGEMENT TAB for specific equipment ideas)

      2.  If you are on oxygen, wear your oxygen in the shower; remove the nose piece to wash your face, but otherwise keep it on.

      3.  Have your towel within easy reach of your seated position, and stay seated to dry off. *  Use 2 or 3 small hand towels to dry
          off instead of one large towel.  They are easier to manage and require less strength to use.

     4.  If you don't already have grab bars in your shower, you need to have at least 2 installed. 

         Refer to the HOME MANAGEMENT SECTION for more ideas on Home Safety. 

    5.  Place a chair in your sink area, that has a back and arms (not a stool) and SIT to shave, groom, apply make up and brush your teeth.*

    6.  Put your clothes on SITTING DOWN.   STAND ONLY TO APPLY YOUR UNDERWEAR AND PANTS.

         *   If you are on oxygen; wear it throughout all of these steps, only removing it when it is in the way.Once you have completed all of these steps, see if you feel less tired than you normally do.  If so, it is just because standing requires energy and consumes more oxygen than sitting.  Now, the goal is that you should be able to spend your extra energy doing something that is more enjoyable than just getting dressed and showering...."Now let's get going!" Laughing
                                                             

 If you would like to learn more about Sally Thimm OTR/L Occupational Therapy Services visit: Professional Case Management of SWFL

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Senior Citizens Discounts

This information was passed along to us; we thought this would be interesting information to post on our website, since we all love a good deal!

In order to receive the Senior Citizen discounts listed below, you have to mention the discount prior to paying.

If you find that some of these locations do not offer the discount any longer, or if you come across a vendor that should be added to the list, please go the “Contact US” Tab on the homepage of the website.  Send us an email, for a vendor to be added or removed. Happy Shopping& Saving! ~ From the staff at Sallycares.com


RESTAURANTS:
Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+)
Chili's: 10% off ( 55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee ( 55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddruckers: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+)
Gaetti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)

Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off ( 55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+)
Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations ( 55+)

McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off ( 55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Whataburger: 10% off (62+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)

RETAIL & APPAREL :
Banana Republic: 30% off ( 50 +)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +)
Big Lots: 30% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+)
Clarks : 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 20% off ( 55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) ( 50+)
Kohl's: 15% off (60+)Modell's Sporting Goods: 30% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +)

GROCERY :
Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)

Food Lion: 60% off every Monday (60+)

Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday ( 50 +)
Publix: 15% off every Wednesday ( 55 +)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 15% off (62+)

TRAVEL :
Airlines:
Alaska Airlines: 50% off (65+)
American Airlines: various discounts for 50% off non-peak periods. (Tuesdays - Thursdays) (62+)and up (call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations.
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount).
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount).
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Rail:
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)

Bus:
Greyhound: 15% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+

Car Rental:
Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Budget Rental Cars: 40% off; up to 50% off for AARP members ( 50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+) Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

Overnight Accommodations:
Holiday Inn: 20-40% off depending on location (62+)
Best Western: 40% off (55+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Waldorf Astoria - NYC $5,000 off nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55 +)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 40% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 25% off (62+)
Motel 6: Stay Free Sunday nights (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 30% off ( 55 +)
Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+)

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT :
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +)
Bally Total Fitness: $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $13 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
Massage Envy - NYC 20% off all "Happy Endings" (62 +)
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 50% off Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55 +)
SeaWorld, Orlando , FL : $3 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)

CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS :
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).


MISCELLANEOUS:
Great Clips: $8 off haircuts (60+)
Supercuts: $8 off haircuts (60+)