May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month

Half of the U.S. population of older adults have a higher risk of fracturing a bone due to low bone density or osteoporosis. Diet and exercise are keys to maintaining strong bones.

About 50% of women and 25% of men in the U.S. will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Has your mom had her bone density checked? May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. It’s a great month for having a conversation about bone strength.

Why is Bone Density Important?

When your mom’s bones are thinning, a simple fall could lead to a serious fracture. As bones thin, they weaken. As a younger adult, she could jump down from a higher point and not worry. With thinner bones, that same jump could lead to a fracture that limits her mobility.

One of the most common fractures in older adults is a hip fracture. It’s often caused by turning sideways during a fall. If your mom fractures her hip, this statistic is alarming. Six months after a hip fracture, a whopping 85% of older adults remain unable to walk without support.

What Can She Do?

Talk to her doctor about the right foods to help strengthen her bones. Foods that are high in calcium, such as yogurt and fish with the bones in them like sardines, are great sources.

Her doctor may recommend supplements for vitamin D or calcium. If she is told to start taking them, make sure she doesn’t forget a dose. If she’s unlikely to remember each day, consider having companion care aides available to remind her to take them.

What if she learned her bones are thinning after breaking a bone? Companion care at home is essential to help her with tasks like housework, meal preparation, transportation, and encouragement while she does her physical therapy exercises.

Your mom’s doctor will also advise her to be active. She needs to exercise to help strengthen her joints. A daily walk is a great way to get outside and stretch her legs. With companionship services, your mom has someone to walk with.

Arrange Companion Care Services Sooner Rather Than Later

What do you do if your mom’s bone density screening showed she’s at risk? Her bones are thinning, and her doctor advises that she starts focusing her diet on calcium and vitamin D. Plus, she needs to take steps to avoid falling.

Have you looked into companion care at home? Services like laundry, meal preparation, shopping/errand assistance, and medication reminders are essential for fall prevention and dietary and exercise goals.

Take measures to support your mom before she tries to do something on her own and falls. With paid caregivers helping your mom throughout the week, you can eliminate some risk of falling. Make arrangements for companion care at home today.

Sources:
http://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Osteoporosis-Fast-Facts.pdf