Living with Osteoporosis: Home Care Can Help

Osteoporosis is a loss of bone that can occur as we age. It is responsible for over a million broken bones each year, and is a major cause of fractures, back pain and spinal problems.

In-home care provides an extra measure of security and peace of mind for seniors who have osteoporosis—and also for family, who can rest easy knowing their loved one has support in managing the condition. _________________________

In the United States today, over half of all people over age 50 have some loss of bone mass—and for 44 million Americans, the bone loss has progressed to osteoporosis, where the bones are thin enough to break easily. Approximately 75% of people affected by osteoporosis are women, but the disease appears in over 10% of senior men as well.

Osteoporosis is sometimes called "the silent disease," because a senior will be unaware of the condition until he or she experiences a fracture. Fractures of the hip and spine are especially serious, commonly resulting in a long recovery process and disability. Some fracture patients receive care in a nursing home or other care setting, but most wish to return home as quickly as possible.

If your older loved one has advanced osteoporosis, or has suffered a fracture, you might worry that he or she is not safe at home. It is true that for the most part, once bone has been lost, it cannot be replaced. So the goal in treating osteoporosis is to maintain existing bone, stop further loss, and prevent fractures.
 
Professional senior home care services can provide an extra measure of security, and help your loved one manage his or her condition in several important ways:

• Assistance with the activities of daily living. Especially if he or she has experienced a fracture, your loved one may need assistance with housekeeping, transportation, laundry, and personal care.
  
  
• Meal preparation. Nutritious meals are important for slowing the progression of osteoporosis. Your loved one's healthcare provider has probably suggested a diet rich in calcium, so the diet should include foods that are rich in calcium, such as dairy products, dark leafy green vegetables, dried beans, canned salmon or tofu—and a calcium and vitamin D supplement, if recommended.
  
  
• Encouragement and confidence to support activity. Exercise encourages bone growth—and inactivity encourages bone loss. With in-home care, your loved one will feel more secure engaging in the activity program the healthcare provider has recommended. Whether it is a walk around the block, chair exercises or gardening, having a trained, insured and bonded home health aide present provides an extra measure of confidence and encouragement.
  
  
• Transportation to healthcare appointments and prescribed activities. Physician appointments, water aerobics classes, physical therapy…your loved one's osteoporosis care schedule all seems to take place during the hours when most family members are at work! A home health aide can ensure that your loved one gets to scheduled appointments on time. 
  
  
• Medication management. A variety of medications may be prescribed to help heal fractures and slow the loss of bone. It is very important that your loved one takes the medications at the right time, and in the correct way. Your home health aide can provide medication reminders, take your loved one to the pharmacy or pick up prescriptions, help organize medications, and report any side effects.
  
  
• Fall protection. Osteoporosis is a major risk factor for falls—and for people with osteoporosis, falls are especially dangerous. Removing clutter from pathways, mopping up spills promptly, performing potentially hazardous household tasks, "spotting" the person as he or she walks down the front stairs—in these and more ways, having a home health aide close by can help prevent falls.

A trained, professional caregiver can help your loved one maintain the highest degree possible of independence and well-being, and provide enhanced peace of mind for the osteoporosis patient and family alike.

For More Information

See "Osteoporosis…What You Should Know" in the May 2007 issue of Caring Right at Home for more information about effectively managing osteoporosis. 

May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month! Now in its 25th year, the National Osteoporosis Foundation offers information about the disease, including risk factors, prevention, treatment, and support groups.

Right at Home is a national organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those we serve. We fulfill that mission through a dedicated network of locally owned, franchised providers of in-home care and assistance services.