Written by Brittany Ferri, OTR/L
There is a major shift happening in healthcare as we know it. More and more Americans are voicing a preference for receiving care and assistance in their own homes. This home healthcare movement is evident in the numbers: in 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported a record-breaking $113.5 Billion in home health spending nationally. With more and more older adults and people living with disabilities remaining in their homes, the question for many is: what will I need?
Compass Health is a company at the forefront of the home healthcare movement. They supply virtually all types of home health supplies and durable medical goods-- from mobility solutions such as canes and walkers to hospital-grade furniture, patient lifts, and even ultrasound equipment. If you or a loved one is interested in receiving necessary care from the comfort of home, Compass is a great place to start.
To bring their customers the best selection of home health goods, Compass Health has pulled a variety of different brands under its umbrella. Unifying brands under one company ensures that all of the different types of products that Compass offers can benefit equally from their advanced distribution network.
Some of the Compass brands are highly specialized-- like Bed Buddy, which makes lavender-scented relaxation masks and foot warmers, or Apex, which provides prescription drug accessories such as daily pill planners and pill splitters. Two of their major brands, however, are more general: Carex and Roscoe Medical.
Carex is a full line of mobility solutions, general home health supplies, bath safety, and personal products. They are sort of a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to quality durable medical goods. Roscoe offers some general home health goods as well, but they are more specialized in respiratory equipment and CPAP therapy supplies.
 | Hydraulic Manual Patient Lift by Compass Health View Product |
One major concern for people with mobility limitations trying to live in private residential settings is safe patient transfer--moving from bed to a wheelchair, for instance. Depending on your level of mobility, a patient lift for home assistance might be worth considering. A standard, Hoyer lift is useful for many transfer applications in the home. This type of lift is generally comprised of a central mast attached to a stable base with a boom extension and a patient-lifting sling.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, patient lifts provide many benefits, including reduced risk of injury to patients and caregivers when properly used. Whether the lift is being used for a transfer to and from bed, into a wheelchair, or even in the bathroom, this type of assistance greatly reduces the risk of an injurious fall or caretaker strain.
 | ProBasics Aluminum Rollator with Loop Brakes View Product |
In a way, a rollator is like a hybrid between a walker and a wheelchair. Devices like these are especially handy for people who have some independence but occasionally need some help to prevent a fall. Unlike a walking frame, which requires one to lift off the ground to move, a rollator lets the user move at a normal gait by rolling forward. A rollator can also be used as a seat, so users are never far from a place to sit when they need a break from walking.
Certain features make a difference in the selection of a rollator model. The ProBasics model here from Roscoe Medical makes a great option. Probably the most important feature is dependable cable handbrakes to prevent accidental rolling. Additionally, a water-resistant storage pouch means you’ll always have somewhere to store your essentials.
The simple cane is an often overlooked but ever-present general mobility aid. While some may consider a cane to be old-fashioned, these simple balance-enhancing tools are timeless because they work. Simply, a cane works by offsetting some of the weight-bearing on one leg to alleviate pain from injury or clinical pathology or compensate for weakness or impaired motor control of the leg.
A cane is a fantastic solution for a user who only has a loss of function in one leg but is otherwise mobile. Compass produces canes under their Carex brand, and the model featured below is an extremely durable quad point design. Quad, or four, point canes look like a traditional cane but have four tips that contact the ground instead of one. This can provide extra stability across different terrains.
Among the six most basic activities of daily living (or ADLs), studies have shown that toileting and bathing tend to be the most troublesome; problems with toileting stand out with high prevalence for seniors in daily life. Because conventional toilets require a good degree of lower body strength to use, many people with mobility problems find it extremely difficult to manage on a daily basis.
A medical commode is a portable toilet that does not require plumbing connections. Some commode chairs are designed to fit over existing toilets and allow for height adjustment. This helps with the sit-to-stand motion of hinging at the hips which is often a barrier. The model below is developed under the Carex brand and operates with three uses: a standalone commode chair with splash guard and bucket, and raised toilet seat over an existing toilet, or simply a toilet safety frame for users who need minimal support.
 | ProBasics Economy Transfer Bench, Case of 2 View Product |
An important aspect of being able to enjoy a bath or shower is being able to get into the bath or shower safely. This might seem obvious, but the hard and sometimes slippery surfaces that come along with bathing can pose a real challenge for people with limited mobility. One solution to make the whole process safer is to use a medical shower bench.
Also sometimes referred to as a transfer bench, this style of device is simple and easy to use. The standard design is some sort of elongated plastic bench with four legs. When in use, one side of the shower bench goes into the bathtub and one stays securely outside. The user only needs to sit on the outside portion and lift their legs over the lip of the tub to get to the other side of the bench and in position for bathing. By taking the risk out of bathing transfers, caretakers and patients alike can get back to enjoying the simple pleasure of a bath.
 | nebGo Ultrasonic Travel Nebulizer System View Product |
Compass also offers some more specialized pieces of medical equipment. This is something that sets them apart from some of the other general home health distributors on the market.
So what exactly is a nebulizer? Essentially, a nebulizer is a class of device that transforms a liquid medicine into a mist so you can inhale it into your lungs. For asthma patients who are unable to use an inhaler, a nebulizer provides an easier delivery method for needed medication.
There are several different types available, so it is good to consult with your respiratory care team about the best type of device for you or your loved one. Portable nebulizers represent a fairly recent development in the world of respiratory medicine. This is a revolutionary change because patients with asthma or COPD can carry this device around in case of an attack.
 | Roscoe Medical US Pro 2000 Deep Heat Portable Ultrasound Machine View Product |
Therapeutic ultrasound is a type of treatment commonly used for treating physical pain and promoting accelerated tissue healing. Deep stimulation from soundwaves generated by a transducer head on the end of the unit can target deep tissue problems effectively. By helping to increase blood flow to the area being treated, the healing process can be bolstered in many cases.
It is important to note that this is distinct from diagnostic ultrasound, or sonography, which is the common imaging technique used to show expecting mothers their unborn babies. Although less common, the therapeutic application has been in practice for over 60 years. Also important: a prescription is needed for this type of device generally.
 | Digital Four Channel Device - Twin Stim Plus | Multiple Pain Relief Treatments View Product |
Similar to therapeutic ultrasound, TENS units are a portable pain management solution. As opposed to using soundwaves and heat, however, TENS units use electrical stimulation. TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. This is the most common type of electric stimulation device and it is intended for temporary pain relief for sore or aching muscles. The nerve stimulation reduces inflammation and edema in the affected area.
Of course, there are several other systems of electrical impulse therapy to consider. EMS stands for electrical muscle stimulation -- this is a deeper stimulus for more pervasive pain. In addition, there is Interferential Current (IF). IF is similar to TENS but generally more powerful. Finally, Russian stimulation is a system geared more toward sports recovery and muscle healing.
By consulting with your occupational therapist and care team, you can determine if this style of treatment is right for you. Applying electrical stimulus directly to affected areas can provide real relief for people suffering from chronic or long-standing muscle pain.
When Compass Health formed from the merger between Roscoe Medical and Carex, both forces decided to combine their deep industry knowledge to provide a superior home health supply experience for their customers. Their ability to navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry inspired the name ‘ Compass.’ If you need home health supplies or equipment for yourself or someone else in your life, please click HERE to view all of our Compass Health Products.
Brittany is an occupational therapist who has worked in a variety of rehab facilities. She has always expressed an interest in patients’ internal motivation for therapy and the use of assistive devices, which led her to pursue a PhD in Integrative Mental Health. This research-based training has also led her to develop her writing career to educate patients of all ages on how to improve their health. Brittany has published four books, written over 300 articles, and has been quoted in media outlets such as WebMD, Healthline, and NBC News.
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