Page 12 - HME Business, November/December 2022

SUPPORTING ACTIVE SENIORS
Pharmacies function as many seniors’ primary retail healthcare resource. Here are some retail DME categories pharmacies should consider carrying to keep seniors active, safe and enjoying life.
By Joseph Duffy
When looking at senior retail, one of the first things a DME pharmacy should consider is
what product categories are the right fit. There are many. In fact, nearly everything that DME pharmacies currently offer seniors should also be available as a cash sales item.
True, many seniors live on a fixed income, but many do not. Some seniors have engaged in retirement planning that has allowed them to enjoy the finer things in life, including retail DME.
Moreover, those seniors that are on fixed incomes often have children and other family members who are ready, will- ing and able to help foot the bill for retail medical equipment and related items.
Once pharmacies integrate those two realities into their retail plans, it becomes glaringly clear that there is a whole world of retail items available to offer seniors. Let’s look at some obvious categories first:
DAILY LIVING AIDS
This is the old friend of retail DME. Many
providers are well versed in this broad
category of items that simply make
maintain their independence. Here are several examples of aids to daily living: • Reachers
• Magnifiers
• Talking aids
• Low vision, hearing impaired phones • Large display and bed vibrating alarm
clocks
• Weather alert radios
• Fashion canes
• Walker and wheelchair accessories:
bags, baskets, cup holders, umbrellas • Driving aids: seat belt extenders,
swivel seats, support handles, lumbar
support cushions
• Medical ID: jewelry, car visor, seat belt
strap
• Gel grip cooking utensils
• Cooking mobility helpers: large grip,
can opener aids
• Non-skid dishes, cups, bowls
• Talking thermometers and timers
INCONTINENCE
Like ADLs, incontinence products are a clear stand-by when it comes to senior re- tail. Many seniors suffer from incontinence and feel stigmatized and embarrassed
as a result. Providers that can offer a supportive, knowledgeable, and discrete
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incontinence supply business for them will beat out a big box retail any day — re- gardless of price.
COMPRESSION
Another clearly important senior cash category is compression. Many seniors need compression in order to increase circulation to improve circulation or
to prevent or treat wounds. (This is especially true for diabetes patients.) But compression doesn’t just stop at wraps, hosiery and garments. There are special donning and doffing devices to help seniors put on and take off heavier compression items. Also, if a patient is wrapped as part of his or her treatment, cast bags for showering are an excellent item. Given that nearly all compression needs are unfunded, this makes it an important retail offering for seniors.
LIFT CHAIRS
Lift chairs are another obvious retail
item for senior patients, who often find
it difficult to get into and out of chairs. Lift chairs come in a wide variety of styles and fabrics. Many incorporate different ranges of user controls, structural features and levels of support.
life easier for patients and help them
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4 DME Pharmacy | December 2022
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