Tag:

Aging

4 Tips to Help Seniors Stay Free from Back Pain

by Guest Blogger September 26, 2020

written by Guest Blogger

Back pain is an extremely common problem for people of all ages with an estimated 80% of Americans expected to experience it at some point in their lives. And unfortunately, this pain becomes even more likely when you are approaching your senior years.

Which is bad news as persistent back pain can have a massive impact on your health, well-being and overall quality of life.

So, you need to box clever as you get older by making a few small lifestyle adjustments to keep your back healthy and happy. And the following 4 things will all help you to do that.

Stay Active

Staying active is one of the best things you can do for the health of your back, as moving your body and getting regular exercise will:

Strengthen your muscles and keep them in a good condition to be able to provide support for your spine.
Make you more flexible which will help you to maintain a healthy posture and take the pressure and strain off your lower back.
Increase circulation which helps to deliver the blood, oxygen and nutrients that your muscles and spinal discs need to stay healthy.
Encourage the release of endorphins which are the body’s natural painkiller.

So, it makes sense to get into and maintain a regular exercise routine as you get older. But don’t worry because when I say exercising, I’m not suggesting running marathons. Instead just 30 minutes of moderate exercise 3-4 times per week can make all the difference.

And the good news is there are a wealth of exercise options that are perfect for seniors such as going for a nice walk to get your body moving or taking a senior yoga class to keep your muscles stretched out and flexible.

Or you could try the pool instead as the buoyancy of the water makes exercise easier on the body by taking the pressure off your muscles and joints. So, going for a swim or taking a water aerobics class are both great ways of staying fit and avoiding back pain. And they’re fun too!

So don’t fall into the sedentary trap as you get older and make sure you remain active instead.

Be Wary of Sitting for Too Long

As we get older, we tend to spend more time sitting down. And there’s no doubt it can feel great to take a load off and give your aching joints and muscles a rest.

However, you need to make sure you’re not stuck in a chair for too long. As sitting for prolonged periods can be a major cause of back pain because:

When you sit your vertebrae become compressed which can lead to a weakening of your spinal discs and less protection for your back.
While your core muscles also weaken from the inactivity, meaning they can’t support your spine as well so your lower back comes under increasing pressure and strain.

So, if you find that your back is feeling stiff and sore from sitting down for too long each day you need to do something about it. And there are a couple of things that will really help.

Firstly, make sure you take regular microbreaks from sitting. So, get up out of your chair for 5-10 minutes each hour and get your body moving by having a stretch or walking around. As this will get your blood pumping, help your spine to decompress, and relieve any tension that has been building up in your lower back.

And another thing you can do is to get yourself a chair with good pressure relieving qualities. As an ergonomic one that can be adjusted to fit you, has good lumbar support, and where you can change the height, tilt and angle will help to take the strain off your back. And these chairs make it easier to maintain a healthy sitting posture too which is also a big help.

So, if you spend a few hours each day sitting down make sure you do so in a chair that relieves pressure on your back and remember to get up out of it regularly too!

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

It’s vitally important that you get good quality sleep on a regular basis if you’re going to avoid back pain.

As it’s during sleep that your body gets a chance to repair, heal and restore itself from the previous day’s stresses and strains. So, your back muscles need you to be getting a deep and restorative sleep every night to stay healthy.

But if you’re someone who struggles with your sleep and wake up in the mornings feeling stiff and sore all is not lost. As there are a few things you can try to improve it such as:

Optimising your bedroom for sleeping by removing electronics, buying some blackout curtains or blinds, keeping the temperature cool, and only going in there to sleep.
Not drinking too much caffeine during the day.
Avoiding stimulating activities in the hour before bedtime and indulging in something more relaxing instead.
Developing good sleeping habits such as keeping regular sleeping hours, avoiding constantly checking the time, and definitely not reaching for your phone if you wake up in the middle of the night!
Making sure your mattress is up to date and both comfortable and supportive.

And sleeping well will also benefit you in other areas such as giving you more energy, boosting your immune system, improving your mood and mental performance, as well being good for your physical condition.

So, make sure that getting good quality sleep is a priority and you’ll soon notice the difference in your back pain levels.

After all who doesn’t want to wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed in the morning rather than sore and in pain?

Learn to Relax

Now this one may sound a bit simplistic. But learning to relax properly is another vital element of maintaining a healthy back.

Because when we are feeling stressed and anxious this creates a lot of tension. And people tend to hold this tension within their bodies which causes hunched shoulders, awkward postures and tight muscles that add extra pressure and strain onto your back, neck and shoulders.

So, to avoid this tension from building up you need to be able to relax and let go of any stresses and worries. And there are plenty of ways you can do this such as:

Taking a nice long soak in a hot bath.
Practicing deep breathing exercises.
Listening to soothing music.
Losing yourself in your favourite hobby.
Taking the dog for a walk.

Or whatever works for you. Just make sure that you take the time each day to truly unwind and let go of the days stresses and you’ll feel the benefit in your back in no time.

And getting yourself into a relaxed state like this will also bring you many other benefits such as improving your sleep quality, increasing circulation, lowering your blood pressure, and improving your mood and giving you a positive outlook.

Which is all good news for your overall health and well-being as well as for the health of your back.

Summary

So, while persistent back pain is a common problem for many people, it doesn’t have to be inevitable for people as they approach their senior years. Because by making a few changes to your lifestyle and daily habits you can keep yourself fit, healthy, and live a life free from any nagging pain.

About the Author

Daniel Singleton is the founder of Back On Site, a website designed to help people fight back against persistent back pain using his own personal experiences with the condition and the latest medical and scientific advice.

September 26, 2020 0 comment

Conditions & Treatments

How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia?

by Silverado September 17, 2020

written by Silverado

The research speaks for itself — learning new skills and keeping the brain active are among the tools with the best chance of slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Ongoing social connectivity and cognitive exercises are some of the pillars of Nexus at Silverado, a specially designed program that uses clinical findings to help slow the progression of dementia. One of the newest and most recent programs to be put into action is the American Sign Language program at the Silverado Aspen Park memory care community. How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia?
The inspiration for the program came from Silverado Administrator John “Alec” Stephenson, who used the skills he learned from raising a son with a hearing impairment. Originally, he was teaching residents to learn important signs to engage during a power outage. This one-off occurrence was so popular that it evolved into a regular part of the community. Now residents meet to learn sign language weekly.
“Some of the residents are retaining what they’ve learned, but the primary goal is to engage their minds, improve motor skills and enhance quality of life, which is a core philosophy of Silverado,” said Stephenson. “This is the only sign language program of its kind in a memory care community in not only Utah, but most likely the entire country.”
As Stephenson said, retaining and fully reiterating motions isn’t the end goal for these classes. Along with improving motor skills, the act of focusing on communication is key. Whether they fully learn to communicate using ASL or not, caregivers are teaching residents to model behavior (like picking up a spoon or express when they’re hurt). This kinetic and tactile approach may improve communication.
This innovative program even caught the attention of local news media in Salt Lake City, who stopped by to film the class in action and speak to some of the participants!
Sources https://www.silveradocare.com/enriched-living/articles/stories/2016/07/residents-learn-sign-language-for-health-and-happiness/

How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia?

How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia? How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia? How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia? How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia? How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia?

September 17, 2020 0 comment

Healthy Living

Finding Joy in Difficult Times

by Guest Blogger September 8, 2020

written by Guest Blogger

In times of trouble, it can be tremendously difficult to see the forest through that thick stand of trees – giant leafy Southern Oaks if you’re “down South” like us.

Mix in a pandemic with the natural bumpy road called Life, and those happy feelings can get lost in the exhaust –and exhaustion.

But maybe it’s not “happy” toward which we should set our GPS.

There’s a wonderful little quote floating around: Joy is a choice purposefully made -and that’s a different thing than being happy.

Happy.

Happy depends upon external factors. It most often happens to us, whereas joy is a decisive action –I decide that despite the rain and my flat tire on my way to visit mom, I choose to focus on a loving visit ahead. It’s opting to feel gratitude about answering dad’s same question over and over because the time it takes means more time together and eases his anxiety from dementia.

You get the idea.

Grasping Onto Joy

Getting your hands upon joy can, at first, feel like grasping for slippery soap as feelings of negativity bubble to the surface. This reaction is expected, for we are wired for survival. Our brains are always looking for trouble to avoid and things to fix.

But instead of heading down that anxious, grumpy slope, those expert folks who study emotional and mental states counsel us to use “thought-stopping” and redirection to help release our mind’s hold on difficult things.

Stop that Thought

When we become frustrated, those accompanying negative feelings are bathed in hormones produced before and after the actual emotion we feel. Our goal is to interrupt and redirect the associated hormonal release rather than stuffing the feelings down; the latter can lead to stress-induced illness or outbursts.

Acknowledging your frustration and then saying aloud “Stop” or creating a diversion –walk exactly 10 steps or spell your name aloud under your breath –can help disrupt a negative mental state. Then, it’s up to you to intentionally place your focus on something for which you’re grateful. Yep, it is work, but all genuinely wonderful things take effort. And, it’s worth it.

Monitor Your Life

In addition to paying attention to your emotional state, watch out for Real Life, which can bring negativity in the form of social media, news, gossip, and the like. Avoid the unhappy; remember, it’s external to you.

Be the one to bring joy into other’s lives, and watch how your own becomes more constant, life becomes richer, and you become more present. And oh, what a joyful noise that will make.

By Lisa Parks

Lisa Parks is a marketing and communications consultant, and Alzheimer’s Community Educator, who advocates for seniors and people with disabilities. www.imagecomgroup.com

September 8, 2020 0 comment

Money Tips

How to avoid mistakes with online bill payments

by Rod Spurgeon July 27, 2020

written by Rod Spurgeon

Donny sat down at his desktop computer at the end of the month as usual and began the process of paying his bills. Time was not on his side this day as his favorite football team prepared to take the field in 20 minutes. Soon, his friends would arrive to watch the game with him on television, and he still had to prepare game time snacks.

With his mind on the upcoming event, Donny quickly moved through the bill payment motions. He opened up a web browser and sent one payment after another, including electricity, gas, water, telephone, and then finally his Internet bill. Excitement for the upcoming game filled his mind as he prepared to make his last payment. He was almost there, nearly ready to jump into game mode and have a blast with his buddies.

Donny rapidly typed in his password, made a mistake, retyped his password again, and zoomed straight to the payment section of his Internet account. He saw the amount due, hastily typed that amount into the appropriate box, and tapped send.

Without wasting another moment on mundane tasks, Donny shut down his browser and dashed off to the kitchen to prepare his snacks. He enjoyed the game with his friends that day, and it was all the more satisfying when their team won. Several days later, Donny received a text message from his bank informing him that he had overdrawn funds from his checking account. Donny knew he had more than enough money in the account to handle his bills, so he investigated the problem. That’s when he discovered he had accidentally sent $5,127 to his Internet service provider instead of the $51.27 amount due. How to avoid mistakes with online bill payments

In his haste, Donny forgot to add the decimal point to the amount he typed into the computer, and he ended up sending 100 times more than he owed to the company. Donny was now broke, and he had to wait two weeks to get his funds returned from the company.

Whenever you sit down to pay the bills, keep the following three things in mind:

Make sure you have the time you need to examine billing statements thoroughly before making a payment. If you have a pressing appointment and need to make a payment in a hurry to meet that time sensitive obligation, wait to make the payment until you’re no longer under that pressure.
Verify the amount you type into the computer before clicking send. Compare the figure you enter into the payment system with the amount owed. Do the numbers match? Is your decimal point in the correct location? Are you withdrawing funds from the correct account? Double or triple check your payment details before tapping the send button.
Consider setting up automatic payments. Electricity, water, gas, Internet and many other service providers generally invite their customers to set up automatic bill payments. It guarantees that customers will make their payments on time, and it prevents customers from making mistakes in the bill payment process. If you choose this option, be sure to check your billing statements regularly to confirm their accuracy.

Never let haste to “get it over with” cause you to overpay a bill. Take the time you need to verify all amounts thoroughly and review your bill regularly. It will help make sure that game day doesn’t turn into a financial fumble. How to avoid mistakes with online bill payments

How to avoid mistakes with online bill payments

How to avoid mistakes with online bill payments How to avoid mistakes with online bill payments How to avoid mistakes with online bill payments How to avoid mistakes with online bill payments How to avoid mistakes with online bill payments How to avoid mistakes with online bill payments

July 27, 2020 0 comment

Diet & Nutrition

How Much Daily Water Does the Body Need?

by Carol Marak July 25, 2020

written by Carol Marak

A book that caught my eye, or should say, a book’s title that caught my eye, Your Bodies Many Cries for Water: You’re not sick, You’re Thirsty, by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. The title got my attention.

It’s based on a pioneering physician’s twenty years of clinical and scientific research into the role of water in the body and explains a breakthrough discovery that Unintentional Chronic Dehydration produces stress, chronic pains and many painful degenerative diseases.

The physician author says, “Dry Mouth is not the only sign of dehydration; and waiting to get thirsty is wrong. And simply adjusting your water intake can help you live a healthier pain-free life.”

The pains of dehydration

Irritability,
indigestion,
heart pain on walking,
low back pain,
leg pain on walking,
migraines,
and constipation.

And should be treated by drinking 2.5 quarts of water each day. That’s about 10 glasses of water.

Disclaimer: Talk with you doctor if you’re feeling any of these pains – don’t assume it’s dehydration.Plus, if you have kidney disease or congestive heart failure, you should not use water cures unless you are under medical supervision and the doctor says to practice this protocol.

Did you know? In a normal day, we lose about 10 to 15 cups of water?

I began adding more water two weeks ago by increasing to 10 or 11 glasses depending on how long I walk outside in the heat. The first thing I noticed is more energy and lessened fatigue. Second, I don’t get as hungry.

The book suggests both water and salt are essential for optimal health. Salt being the unprocessed kind. Unprocessed salt has sodium, chloride and up to 82 other trace minerals.

Based on the work of Dr. B and the current research, as a goal, try to eat at least 1/8th tsp of salt with each 10 to 16 ounces of water to start. Adjust it up or down based on your needs as you discover how it works to help you get optimal performance. Those who are sick may need to start at a higher amount, say 1/8th tsp for every 8 to 10 ounces depending on what they are dealing with. Some who are salt sensitive may need less salt.

Other benefits:

Sleep better
Stop leg cramps now and forever
Normalize blood pressure
Eliminate headaches
End your depression
Cancel terminal cancer and exceed your expiration date
Help manage over 76 diseases or conditions.
Skin problems
Stomach ulcers

Dr. B claims that people do not drink enough water, they do not drink the right kind of water and they are not taking in enough of the proper electrolytes with their water to help the water get into their cells.

July 25, 2020 0 comment

Conditions & Treatments

Older Adults and Depression

by Kendall VanBlarcom July 22, 2020

written by Kendall VanBlarcom

Depression can happen at any age and many older adults find they are experiencing symptoms, including a decrease in energy and a reduced interest in hobbies and friendships.

Feeling sad and lonely isn’t a normal part of aging. The truth is having hard times can happen to anyone, at any point in life, regardless of their societal status, income level, or achievements. The difference is, sometimes when you get older, there can be more life challenges. Losing a loved one or having health issues, for example, may exacerbate depression symptoms. If this sounds familiar, reach out for help to improve your life.

Grief and Depression

Loss is incredibly painful, and this is true of losing someone we love or losing something within our own experience, such as our independence or career.

Grief can manifest in a wide range of emotions. You might be happy for a day or two and then feel bad again. Know that grieving is normal, but if your feelings of sadness extend over a long period of time, is constant, and negates all feelings of joy in your life, you could be an older adult suffering from depression.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

If you recognize the signs of depression it can lead to getting help sooner. While symptoms can vary from person to person (some experience one or two, others more) keep in mind the following are all signs something is wrong.

Feelings of sadness
Physical aches and pains, unrelated to a physical issue
Not being interested in hobbies or friends
Lack of energy
Oversleeping or not being able to sleep enough
Feelings of worthlessness
Using alcohol or drugs to try to lessen pain
Not bathing or taking care of personal hygiene
Memory issues
Weight loss or weight gain

Older Adults Can Improve Their Lives

You can always make lifestyle changes, whatever phase of life you are in. Just as a young person can learn and change so can older adults. The brain is always adapting and you can take steps to make changes for the better, even when you are an older adult with depression. Talk to a professional and work to make adjustments on your own, if you can.

Engage with the world through volunteering. Or join friends or family members for a meal, a concert, or a walk through the neighborhood. If you can’t think of who to call, consider joining a support group to be around others who are experiencing similar issues.

Also, try to infuse meaning into your life by learning new things and getting involved in the community you live in (and not dwell on missing a community from your past). You could learn to paint or take a foreign language class.

As you feel better, it will be easier to change your daily physical habits as well. Get exercise, moving your body every day when possible, and eat healthy meals by reducing carbs and sugars while boosting proteins and complex carbohydrates.

You don’t have to be an older adult experiencing depression, you deserve a happy life.

July 22, 2020 0 comment

Aging

How Dangerous is Social Media to Seniors’ Well-Being?

by Richard Bitner July 12, 2020

written by Richard Bitner

Ten years ago, few people would have predicted that seniors would become some of social media’s most passionate users. But a study last year by Pew Research Center found that 62% of online seniors are on Facebook. Other studies show that social media use among seniors is rising at a rapid rate. How Dangerous is Social Media to Seniors’ Well-Being?

As more and more seniors use social media, there are growing concerns. Most research indicates that social media improves quality of life for elderly adults. But some senior care professionals are increasingly worried about the dangers that social media could pose to seniors’ well-being.

Is Social Media Good or Bad for Seniors?

On the whole, social media seems to have a positive effect on seniors’ well-being. Internet use has been shown to reduce seniors’ risk of depression by as much as 33%. One study found that seniors who use Facebook show marked improvements in cognitive function. Another study found similar results when seniors were trained to use email, Skype, and Facebook.

Social media also opens new avenues for seniors separated from children and grandchildren by long distances. Facebook makes it easy to keep in touch with family members. Video-calling is particularly popular with seniors, who use services like Skype to connect with their grandchildren. And in recent years, tech-focused senior care services have made using social media easier and safer than ever for elderly adults.

So why are some people concerned about the dangers of social media for elderly well-being?

Social Media and Depression in Seniors

One common concern is that social media could, over time, make seniors more depressed. When researchers have surveyed social media users of all ages, they’ve found that more social media use is linked with higher risk of depression. However, this concern might be overblown among the elderly — after all, research has found that online seniors are less depressed than others.

A study out of the University of Missouri might explain why. In that study, researchers found that the risk of depression only rose in social media users who were using sites like Facebook to compare themselves to others. Depression was tied to an increase of jealous feelings and lower self-esteem. If users were using social media primarily to keep in contact with others, their risk of depression did not increase. Since most seniors use social media for keeping in contact with family and friends, it makes sense that most seniors aren’t at high risk of depression due to social media use.

Social Media and Senior Isolation

A much bigger concern is how social media affects seniors’ in-person interactions. Senior isolation is a serious problem among the elderly, one with devastating health effects. Social media use can alleviate some of these effects, but it’s not enough. Seniors need to regularly spend time in the physical presence of others to avoid the emotional, mental, and physical effects of senior isolation.

If seniors and their families start to treat social media as a replacement for in-person interaction, that could put a greater percentage of seniors at risk for feelings of isolation and loneliness.
“There are obvious benefits to social media use among seniors,” says Larry Meigs, CEO and President of Visiting Angels. “If social media is used to augment in-person contact, that’s fantastic. But there’s a real concern that seniors and their family members might have less of these interactions the more they rely on social media.”

Senior Care Tips for Social Media

Ultimately, social media is a positive tool for seniors, families, and senior care providers. But it’s something that should be approached with a degree of caution. If social media is your loved one’s main avenue for social interaction, or if you’ve noticed they’re spending less time with others now that they’re on Facebook, it may be time to consider a change.

Spending more time with your loved one is always a welcome solution. But it might not be enough. If you live far away or have a busy schedule, frequent visits aren’t always practical. In these cases, you might encourage your loved one to spend more time with friends and acquaintances. You could even suggest they join a local club or organization that you think they’d find enjoyable.

Finally, you might consider companion care services, a specialized form of senior care that helps the elderly avoid isolation by providing conversation and companionship in the comfort of home.

To learn more about social media assistance for seniors and companion care services offered in your area, contact your local Visiting Angels today.

How Dangerous is Social Media to Seniors’ Well-Being?

How Dangerous is Social Media to Seniors’ Well-Being? How Dangerous is Social Media to Seniors’ Well-Being? How Dangerous is Social Media to Seniors’ Well-Being? How Dangerous is Social Media to Seniors’ Well-Being? How Dangerous is Social Media to Seniors’ Well-Being? How Dangerous is Social Media to Seniors’ Well-Being?

July 12, 2020 0 comment

Exercise & Fitness

Walk Your Way to a Clean Bill of Health

by Guest Blogger July 3, 2020

written by Guest Blogger

Do you think you could walk 4 extra steps per minute while you’re awake each day? That’s 4 steps, not city blocks or country miles.

Because research shows those 4 extra steps could drop your risk of; diabetes by 23%, stroke by 22%, and even heart disease by 17%!¹

Here’s how we know that:

A few years back, the Mayo Clinic published a startling chart that revealed how various diseases could be avoided by walking an extra 3,000 and 6,000 steps each day. If that sounds like a lot, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not!

According to an international study of 717,527 people in the journal Nature, Americans walk an average of 4,774 steps per day . And to enjoy the 23% decreased risk of diabetes the Mayo Clinic calculated in their study, you’d need to add 3,000 steps to your current total.

It’s Easier Than You Think

Now, let’s assume you’re up for 12 hours in a day. You wake at 7am and go to bed at 7pm. Perhaps it’s more, but let’s say 12 hours for the sake of argument:

That means you’re awake for 720 minutes. So if you walked 4.2 extra steps in each of those minutes, you’d reach the 3,000 extra step mark!

And get this:

If you doubled that to 6,000 extra steps per day, you’d nearly HALVE the chance of dying from diabetes — decreasing your risk a whopping 46%! What a small “price” to pay to avoid a possibly life-threatening disease.

While the research shows the most impressive improvements with diabetes, there’s also positive news for other common ailments. An extra 6000 steps a day decreases your risk of stroke by 30%, heart attack by 20%, and heart disease by 25%.¹

For those who prefer not to slave at a gym or who aren’t as mobile as they once were, this is great news. And if you already love walking, then this news is a bonus. Plus, it reinforces the great work you’ve been doing!

How To Tell If You Will Benefit

Now, you may be wondering, “How do I know whether I’ve walked an extra 3,000 steps or more?” Good question. As you may know, there are several technologies that can track your steps (the “Fitbit” watch is a popular one). If you have a smartphone like an iPhone or an Android, there are applications you can download that can also track your steps for you:

iPhone: Argus, Stepz, and even the “Health” icon on all iPhones can count steps and distances.

Android: Runkeeper, Step Counter, Pedometer, and more.

Another “bonus” about walking is that it’s good for your bones ! In fact, walking is probably the simplest, most accessible thing most folks can do to strengthen their bones.

You can’t increase bone density by walking, but you can help maintain bone density and strengthen existing bone with weight-bearing exercises like walking.

So why not try to fit 4 more steps into each minute of your day? It could literally save your life!

By Monica Straith, BS, PT

Monica is the Content Manager and Fitness Lead at AlgaeCal . She’s an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and has a B.S. and B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She pulls from her experience in athletics and health to provide science-backed information for readers.

Sources:
1 Moderate exercise: A little goes a long way.Mayo Clinic Health Letter 12(1): 1—2, 2008.

July 3, 2020 0 comment

Conditions & Treatments

Home Care for Osteoporosis

by Richard Bitner July 1, 2020

written by Richard Bitner

As we grow older, bone health becomes increasingly important. That’s especially true for seniors coping with osteoporosis and those at high risk of developing it. If you provide home care for a family member who is dealing with osteoporosis, it’s important that you know how to manage the difficulties and risks of this condition. Home Care for Osteoporosis

To help, the team at Visiting Angels has put together this short guide to home care for osteoporosis. In it, we’ve included many of the same guidelines that our professional caregivers follow when caring for seniors with osteoporosis. We hope you’ll find this information useful in caring for your own family member. Home Care for Osteoporosis

Understanding Osteoporosis

Caring for someone with osteoporosis starts with understanding their condition. Osteoporosis is a condition where a person loses bone tissue, causing bones to become weaker and more fragile. Weaker bones can make day-to-day activities difficult, and it greatly increases the likelihood of bone fracture.

This condition has three main causes: hormonal changes (usually due to old age), calcium deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency. Osteoporosis can be triggered by just one of these causes, or by a combination of them. Osteoporosis cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Home Care for Osteoporosis

Your best resource for managing your loved one’s osteoporosis will be your loved one’s doctor. Always follow doctor’s orders when caring for your loved one and never be afraid to ask questions about how you can improve your loved one’s care.

Fall & Fracture Prevention

The greatest concern when caring for someone with osteoporosis is the risk of fall or fracture. As a home care provider for a senior with osteoporosis, you can reduce their risk of falling by improving the safety of your loved one’s home environment.

To reduce the risk of fall and fracture, eliminate tripping and slipping hazards. Keep electrical cords out of the way, eliminate clutter, and install non-slip stickers on slippery tile floors. Install grab bars next to the toilet and in the shower. Improve visibility by installing new lights — particularly near steps and stairs. And encourage your loved one to wear footwear with non-slip soles.

Boosting Protein, Calcium & Vitamin D Intake

Osteoporosis cannot be reversed, but it’s possible to slow down the rate of bone tissue loss. You can do this by ensuring that your loved one gets the nutrients he or she needs to maintain strong bones, including high intake of protein, calcium, and vitamin D.

As a home care provider, you can help your loved one live a bone-healthy lifestyle by shopping for groceries, planning meals, and preparing food. Consider including the following calcium-rich and protein-rich foods in your loved one’s diet:

Calcium-Rich Foods

Low-fat dairy products
Broccoli
Cabbage
Tofu and soy products
Nuts
Supplements* (if diet alone is not enough)

Protein-Rich Foods

Eggs
Salmon
Chicken
Tofu and soy products
Nuts

Your loved one can soak up some vitamin D by spending 30 to 45 minutes enjoying the sun each day.

Lifestyle & Osteoporosis Care

Lifestyle plays a major role in osteoporosis care. There are significant steps that you and your loved one can take to manage the symptoms and risks of osteoporosis and to slow its rate of advancement. Many of these lifestyle suggestions also carry a range of further benefits for your loved one’s health.

Three of the most common lifestyle changes suggested for those with osteoporosis are related to weight, smoking, and drinking. Seniors who are underweight or overweight are at increased risk of fracture, and it is recommended that seniors pursue a healthy weight to reduce the chance of broken bones.
While it’s always a good idea to cut back on smoking and excessive drinking, this is especially true for seniors with osteoporosis. Smoking can drastically speed up bone tissue loss. Meanwhile, alcohol is linked to bone loss and can increase the risk of falls.

Regular light exercise also plays a big role in managing osteoporosis. Light exercise increases bone strength and improves coordination, reducing the likelihood of trips and slips that could lead to fracture. Walking, gardening and tai chi are all good exercises for bone health.

Professional Osteoporosis Home Care

If you need a helping hand caring for your loved one or are worried about leaving them on their own during the day, you might want to consider professional home care. Professional in-home care, such as the services offered by your local Visiting Angels, can make it easier to look after a family member who is coping with osteoporosis and encourage a bone-healthy lifestyle.

For a free home care consultation, contact your local Visiting Angels office.
* Before taking supplements, please consult with your loved one’s doctor.

Home Care for Osteoporosis

July 1, 2020 0 comment

Newer Posts

Older Posts