| Highlights • Over 10 million people in the U.S. are currently live with osteoporosis. • An aging loved one with osteoporosis may experience mental and physical changes. Being prepared for these can help them enjoy the quality of life they deserve. • Taking supplements, getting regular exercise, and eating a nutritious diet are excellent strategies for managing osteoporosis. |
If you or an aging loved one has recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis, it’s natural to feel concerned and uncertain about the future.
Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that affects the overall health of our bones, and can be challenging to navigate.
The body’s ability to produce bone tissue diminishes over time, leading to weakened and low bone density, making fractures more likely.
It’s important to know that you are not alone in facing this condition. Osteoporosis is more common than you might think.
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion says that over 10 million individuals aged 50 and above in the United States are currently living with osteoporosis.
Additionally, approximately 43 million people have low bone mass, which puts them at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.
In this article, we will explore practical approaches to managing osteoporosis, allowing you to navigate its challenges while maintaining an optimistic outlook.
How Osteoporosis Affects Aging Adults
If you have a family member who is living with osteoporosis, you may be wondering what you can do to make their lives easier and help them navigate challenges like:.
Impaired physical abilities
There is a chance that your aging loved one with osteoporosis may be more prone to bone fractures. This is because the condition causes weakened bones that could break from a fall.
Osteoporosis may also cause physical pain, meaning an aging loved one might not be as mobile as they were before.
This means they may not be able to engage in certain activities like walking long distances or getting up from a chair without assistance.
They might need extra help doing things they would usually do themselves.
Decreased mental and emotional health
An aging adult with osteoporosis might experience chronic pain, further affecting their ability to move around freely.
They may also become scared of falling as fractures tend to be more common with this condition.
As you can imagine, this can lead to anxiety and depression, which can make it difficult for your aging loved one to cope mentally.
Their physical discomfort and potential loss of independence may cause feelings of sadness and helplessness, leading to reduced quality of life.
Relationship difficulties
You may notice that an aging loved one’s connections with those around them start to change. This is because having osteoporosis can affect relationships, especially intimate ones.
Because they may fear fractures, they may not want to be intimate with their partners, which may pose challenges in their relationships.
Pain and discomfort may also make your loved one with osteoporosis unwilling to participate in social activities, potentially leading to them feeling isolated.
Coping Strategies for Aging Adults with Osteoporosis
We understand that you may have concerns if you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
The good news is that there are many practical steps you can take to not only cope with the condition but to live a more healthy and enjoyable life.
Go for a bone density test
The first step to take if you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis is to have a healthcare provider do a bone density test.
This quick and painless test can help determine your level of bone loss and how much the condition is affecting new bone formation.
Once your healthcare provider determines your bone mineral density, they can give you the best advice for maintaining healthy bones.
Try supplementation
Your doctor may recommend that you start taking supplements if you have a lower bone density.
The main supplements people with osteoporosis need to take are magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D.
Calcium supplements are essential for osteoporosis because they help reduce bone loss and increase bone mass.
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium properly, so it’s important to include this nutrient in the supplements you take.
Eat a bone-healthy diet
According to the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF), certain dietary changes can improve and support bone health. They can also make you feel better overall.
Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of dairy, fatty fish, fruits, and vegetables will ensure you get all the nutrients you need to have healthy bones.
Some excellent food choices for bone health, according to the BHOF, include:
- Dairy: Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Fatty fish: Canned sardines and salmon
- Fruits: Prunes, raisins, and oranges
- Vegetables: Collard greens, turnip greens, and broccoli
Get regular exercise
If you or an aging loved one is experiencing pain related to osteoporosis, we understand it might be difficult to remain active. But regular exercise is great for bone health.
So, if you can, try to go for regular walks or even work in the garden a few days a week. This can help build strong muscles and improve bone density.
Weight-bearing exercise is especially important for people with osteoporosis, so it might be a good idea to try something like Pilates, yoga, or tai chi to strengthen your bones.
Treating osteoporosis pain
There are a few steps you take do if you’re experiencing pain related to osteoporosis or as a result of a fracture.
According to the BHOF, besides getting help from your doctor, you could also try:
- Applying heat or cold to the affected area
- Acupuncture
- Biofeedback
- Massage
- Relaxation techniques
How Caregivers and Family Members Can Help
If you have a family member who has osteoporosis or if you are caring for someone who does, there are certain steps you can take to help them enjoy the quality of life they deserve.
Prioritize fall prevention
People with osteoporosis are more at risk of bone fractures as a result of falling.
As a family member or caregiver, taking steps to reduce the chance of falls that could lead to a hip fracture, for example, is one of the best things you can do for someone with osteoporosis.
There are two things you can do to decrease the risk of falls:
- Ensure a safe environment: You can make sure your aging loved one’s environment is safe enough to prevent falls. This could include ensuring there is no loose carpeting in their home and installing handrails in areas with high fall risk, like bathrooms.
- Get them a medical alert device: A device with built-in fall detection means your aging loved one gets the help they need if they do fall, which could prevent further bone-related injuries.
Focus on social interaction
Spending time with your aging loved one whenever you can has endless benefits.
Perhaps most importantly, you’re providing them with social interaction — something they may struggle with because of their reduced ability to move at their best.
Additionally, you’ll be maintaining your special relationship with them, making sure that the condition doesn’t get in the way of their connections with friends and family.
Provide support
One of the best things you can do for a loved one with osteoporosis is to get them help when they need it.
If you notice they are withdrawing from social engagements or showing signs of anxiety or depression, it may be helpful to find a counselor or occupational therapist who can help them cope.
Purchase a medical alert device
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 36 million falls are reported among aging adults each year.
No matter how many steps you take to prevent falls for your aging loved one, accidents still happen.
Knowing that your aging loved one will get the help they need if they fall — and to prevent further injuries if they attempt to get up from a fall alone — gives you peace of mind, especially if you don’t live nearby.
How a LogicMark Device Helps You Cope with Osteoporosis
Medical alert devices are designed to allow aging adults to contact emergency services or their family members in the event of a fall or any other potentially dangerous situation.
This can make them feel safer and give them peace of mind, helping them be less afraid of falls and fractures, which could lead to a better quality of life.
Plus, knowing that your aging loved one will get help even when you’re not around can be very reassuring.
Visit our website to explore our range of medical alert devices to help you or someone you love.
