Osteoporosis is a silent condition that often goes unnoticed until a serious injury occurs. As bones become weaker and more fragile, the risk of fractures from even minor falls increases, making daily life more challenging and potentially dangerous, especially for older adults.

For those living with osteoporosis, maintaining safety and independence at home is crucial. This is where 24-hour home care can make a life-changing difference, offering the support and assistance needed to prevent falls and injuries while enhancing quality of life.

In this article, we’ll explore what osteoporosis is, its risk factors, and how 24-hour home care providers can help protect your loved one.

 

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease linked to a person’s bones. It occurs when the strength and structure of bones begin to change because of decreasing levels of bone mass and density. While it can happen to anyone, the primary group that suffers from Osteoporosis is older women, especially those with typically smaller bone structures, such as non-Hispanic white women and Asian women.

 

Osteoporosis Risk Factors

Most people don’t realize they have osteoporosis until they fall and break a bone. Then the doctor may review their bone density levels and determine that they have the condition. Specific risk factors can lead to an increased likelihood of developing the disease.

Some of the risk factors cannot be altered, such as gender and race, but others can be addressed so that if your loved one is concerned about developing the disease, she can take steps to reduce the likelihood or severity of the condition.

• Gender: Women have lower bone mass than men, making any loss greater.
• Age: Bone loss happens more quickly as a person ages, and new bone growth is slower. Even men over the age of 70 are at risk of developing osteoporosis because of their age and lack of new bone growth.
• Race: Asians and Caucasians are the most likely to develop the disease for both men and women.
• Bone Size: Smaller, petite individuals with smaller bones are more likely to feel the effects of osteoporosis early than those with a larger bone structure.
• Diet: A diet that has been characteristically low in calcium and vitamin D can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
• Excess Alcohol: Chronic heavy drinking can lead to the condition.
• Smoking: Smoking seems to be linked to the increased likelihood of bone fractures in the elderly.

 

Keeping Your Loved One Safe from Falls

One of the largest dangers of having osteoporosis is falling. With weak bones, a simple fall can result in multiple bone breaks that can not only be tremendously painful but also lead to the loss of some of her independence.

Fear of breaking a bone often leads to a person shutting down and enjoying less of life as they express concerns over possibly breaking another bone. And while being aware of the risks certain activities pose, it doesn’t mean your loved one needs to spend her days sitting in a cushioned chair, afraid to enjoy any activity.

 

24-Hour Home Care

One solution many of those with severe osteoporosis have found is to have 24-hour home care assistance. By having someone in the home at all times, many elderly people with osteoporosis can get the help they need to protect themselves from falling both during the day and night.

A 24-hour home care provider is always in the home and ready to help when 24-hour home care is utilized. They can assist with home chores that might put too much strain on your loved one or cause her to put herself in a dangerous situation where a fall could result. Her 24-hour home care providers can also help her navigate her home safely so she has less fear of falling in places like bathrooms or stairs.

With 24-hour home care, your loved one can continue to keep her independence while getting the help she needs to stay safe in her home.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering 24-Hour Home Care in Beverly Hills, CA, please contact the caring staff at Nu Care Inc. today at 800-505-6890