Tips for Living with Osteoporosis

If your loved one has been diagnosed with osteoporosis, she might feel nervous about what she can and cannot do anymore. Osteoporosis occurs when the bones become brittle and weak. A simple fall or a hard bump can cause them to break. Several risk factors increase the risk of developing it, and many cannot be changed. Age, race, and sex all play a big part in who will develop osteoporosis, as well as how much bone mass was built up while they were younger. A companion care at home aide would be able to assist you senior with this condition.

So, while your loved one may not be able to change certain risk factors or go back in time to build up more bone mass, she can learn to live with osteoporosis and enjoy life to the fullest.

Here are five tips to help your loved one live well with osteoporosis.

Connect with and listen to her specialist.

Companion Care at Home Glen Rock NJ - Tips for Living with Osteoporosis

Companion Care at Home Glen Rock NJ – Tips for Living with Osteoporosis

Each person who has osteoporosis has different areas of their body that are affected more than others. By communicating her symptoms (if she has any), and concerns, and even describing her lifestyle, she’ll be able to work with her doctor to make sure she has all the tools she needs to continue an independent and active lifestyle.

Ask for help from companion care at home aides.

One of the most difficult things to do can be to ask for help. Your loved one should try to avoid activities that put her at high risk for possible injury so having a companion care at home provider who comes in to help with those activities might be a great way to prevent injuries. Falls are one of the biggest concerns for those with osteoporosis. Have a companion care at home provider helps with bringing items up and down stairs or shoveling the sidewalks.

Stay connected to friends and family.

With any disease that interferes with daily living, it’s easy to isolate and withdraw from the world due to feelings of sadness and depression. Staying connected will help your loved one find joy amidst the pain and loss of abilities. Staying positive and keeping a good attitude can sometimes be half of the battle when it comes to getting through the day.

Eat the foods that help.

Eating well will keep your loved one healthy and help her maintain the bone mass that she has so that she either slows the rate of bone loss or stops it altogether. Eating a diet that is rich in healthy, whole foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) while reducing the processed foods she eats is a good way to ensure that she is getting balanced nutrition. Her companion care at home provider can help with shopping and prepping so that she always has healthy food ready to eat.

Stay active and have a companion care at home aide assist.

While certain activities may be out (skiing, horseback riding), your loved one should still stay active with low-impact exercises like walking and swimming. Just a small amount of physical activity goes a long way toward reducing joint pain and improving overall health.

While there is no cure for osteoporosis, by adjusting her lifestyle and making healthy choices, your loved one will be able to manage her symptoms.

If you or a senior family member are considering hiring Companion Care at Home Services in Glen Rock NJ, please contact the caring staff at Caring Solutions Home Care LLC. In-home senior care servicing Bergen & Passaic Counties. Call today at (973) 427-3553.

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Pamela DelColle, RN, CCRN
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