Tips for Caring for a Senior with Osteoporosis

By Marlene Diaz | November 3, 2016 |

Home Health Care Issaquah WA

Osteoporosis is a common condition of older age, but just because it happens frequently does not mean that it should not be a primary focus of your caregiver efforts for your aging parent. If your parent has been diagnosed with osteoporosis, the home health care that you give them is essential to helping the avoid the potentially devastating injuries that can occur due to the weakening of your loved one’s bones.

Use these tips to help you care for an elderly parent who is dealing with osteoporosis:

• Discourage unhealthy habits. If your loved one smokes, uses tobacco, or drinks more than two alcoholic beverages per day, encourage them to stop these habits and adopt a healthier lifestyle. These habits have been linked to weakened bones, which can further the impact of the osteoporosis and increase the chances that your loved one will suffer a serious injury.

• Serve a healthy diet. What your parent eats is an important part of their overall health and well-being, including the strength and resilience of their bones. Encourage them to eat adequate calcium and protein to keep their bones strong, as well as the full range of vitamins and minerals to support overall better physical functioning.

• Choose appropriate shoes. What your parent wears on their feet can make a major difference in their safety and condition. Ensure that their shoes fit well and have a strong grip on the bottom. This will help to reduce the risk that your parent will slip and suffer a serious fall.

• Provide physical assistance. Falls are the cause of the vast majority of serious fracture injuries to older adults. Mobility and balance issues often contribute to these falls, as do muscle and joint weakness, low vision, and certain medications. Giving your loved one physical assistance as they handle tasks such as navigating their home, getting in and out of the bathtub, sitting onto and standing up from the toilet, transitioning in and out of chairs, and going up and down stairs can help them to handle these tasks more effectively and reduce the chances that they will suffer a serious fall and resulting fractures.

If your aging parent has been diagnosed with osteoporosis, starting senior home health care may be the ideal solution to helping them live a healthier, safer, and more fulfilling lifestyle as they age in place. A senior home health care services provider can make a tremendous difference in your parent’s health and quality of life, enabling them to stay active, engaged, and as independent as possible throughout their later years.

When it comes to helping your parent cope with their condition, this care provider can help your parent make good choices regarding their dietary needs, support safe and healthy activity, and encourage them to make better lifestyle choices that reduce their risk factors for furthering the weakening of their bones. This care provider can also offer physical support and assistance to help them manage tasks that could be dangerous, such as getting in and out of the tub, to help them avoid potentially devastating injuries.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/manage/ptc-20207963

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Health Care Services in Issaquah WA, contact the caring staff at Hospitality Home Care today. Call us at (206) 966-6552.

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Marlene Diaz

Care Supervisor at Hospitality Home Care

Marlene brings to Hospitality Home Care's Care Supervisor Team an unprecedented level of passion for caring for others and a wealth of knowledge and understanding in the care services field. Marlene has worked in the healthcare field for more than 15 years in a variety of settings including, adult family home administration, home care HR supervising and working with specialty populations including dementia, mental health and developmental disabilities. Throughout this time Marlene has also maintained her caregiver credentials that she obtained as a teenager because, while her knowledge is best served helping to train caregivers and assist families to get the care they need, her heart is most fulfilled when she is providing care to others. When she is not in the office, you will most likely find Marlene caring for her family, or spending time with her friends.