Helping Your Elderly Loved Ones Deal with Osteoporosis

Before you can help your elderly loved one to deal with osteoporosis you should have a basic understanding of what osteoporosis is. Osteoporosis is the loss of bone density and the thinning of bone tissue that happens over a period of time. This can also have an effect on your loved ones personal appearance.

When it comes to helping your elderly loved one deal with the complications of osteoporosis you must realize that there will need to be life style changes, a good support system and possible changes in the home to ensure your elderly loved one is safe.

1. Dieting Changes: To help prevent osteoporosis from getting worse you will need to make sure your loved one is eating a complete diet that is enriched with calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium so these two are needed hand in hand.

2. Making your elderly loved ones home safe: Because of the risk of fractures you will want to keep the house free of anything that can be tripped over, walk ways should be level and free from all debris and cracks. Electric cords should be rolled up and tucked behind furniture, bed skirts and bedding should be at least 1 inch from the ground so they do not touch the floor as this can be a hazard for tripping. Ask your elderly loved ones care provider for tips on ensuring the safety of one's home.

3. Helping your elderly loved ones staying stress free: Now this at times will be very hard to achieve but when a person is stressed it reduces the number of t-cells in your immune system and this leads to weakening of the body.

4. Assist with strengthening the bones: Do not let your elderly loved ones lead a sedentary life, get them up and walking to get the bones to strength. If your elderly loved ones is not able to engage in a walking activity make sure range of motion is done regularly or exercises that can be done in a sitting position to target certain body parts.

5. Medications: Many people do not like to take medications when they are in pain. Explain to your elderly loved one that being comfortable is perfectly acceptable and the way they should be able to live their life. If your elderly love ones is against taking medications talk to their care provider to find alternative means to cope with pain.

6. Lifestyle Restrictions: To help your elderly loved ones deal with lifestyle restrictions by alternative means for any restrictions that may have to deal with. For example some restrictions are not being able to climb onto a step stool anymore to reach for something that is too high. You can help your elderly loved one deal with this fact by either moving heavier items to lower shelves or purchasing a device called the claw that grips things that are too high so they do not have to stretch or climb.

7. Assisting in purchasing clothing: This will help hide the vanity aspects of osteoporosis. Many people are unsettled by the changes their body will take on from the curvature of the spine, stooped over position or the lessening of height. You can be supportive by talking about these changes and assisting them to purchase clothing that hides these deformities.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to replace the recommendations or suggestions of your medical care provider. When ever in doubt please contact your loved ones care provider and ask them for tips and suggestions.

Sources:

Nursing Training