IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS

When you think about staying healthy, you probably think about making lifestyle changes to prevent cancer and heart disease. But, keeping your bones healthy is just as important. Here are some important facts.

We have 206 bones in our body. And it’s important to keep them strong by getting enough calcium, vitamin D and weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening activity. However, that might not be enough. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and how you can prevent osteoporosis.

44 million Americans have low bone density or osteoporosis. In fact, about one in two women and up to one in four men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. By 2020, half of all Americans over age 50 are expected to have low bone density or osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is considered a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences. Up to 90 percent of peak bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys, which makes youth the best time to build strong bones to last a lifetime.

There are many reasons people get osteoporosis. Some of these include having a family history of broken bones, smoking, not getting enough physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, drinking too much alcohol, taking certain medicines and having certain medical conditions.

Osteoporosis can sneak up on you. You can’t feel your bones becoming weaker. You could have osteoporosis now or be at risk without realizing it. A bone mineral density test can tell if you have osteoporosis before you experience symptoms, such as breaking a bone.

Osteoporosis isn’t just a problem for older Caucasian women. While osteoporosis is common among white women, men and women of all races and ethnicities can develop the disease. It can also strike at any age.

These are just a few facts about osteoporosis.

National Osteoporosis Foundation

1150 17th Street, NW Suite 850

Washington, DC 20036

800.231.4222 T | 202.223.2237 F

www.nof.org

During this holiday season, we spend countless hours wrapping, addressing, baking, cleaning and spending time with our loved ones, many of them seniors.  As you visit with your loved ones, take a look around for signs that they may need help:

Inside the Home

1. The kitchen is filled with dirty dishes, burned pots, food and possible infestations. Mom has always been a great cook but occasionally forgets to turn off the stove or gets too tired to wash the dishes.
2. The refrigerator has expired or moldy food and possibly non-food items inside. Cleaning out the refrigerator is not a fun task, but Mom has found it overwhelming to throw away food and/or may not remember where to put items.
3. The clutter is piling up. Mom and Dad may not want to admit that maintaining their home is becoming an overwhelming task.
4. The mail is stuffed with bills and late notices. Dad used to pay the bills two weeks ahead of time but is now faced with possible shut-offs or late fees.

Personal Care

1. Your parents have body odor. Perhaps Dad is afraid to bathe because he has fallen in the bathtub. Mom may not remember when she last bathed but insists that she does not need an incontinence product.
2. They wear the same clothes or inappropriate seasonal attire. Mom is wearing the sweater with the large coffee stain on the front that she got during the last visit you had. Dad goes out to get the mail in December without a coat or shoes.
3. Mom’s clothes are baggy. She just doesn’t want to cook now that Dad has passed or the shopping can be too much trouble for one so she eats a bowl of soup and nibbles on crackers.

Health Care

1. They forget their medications and doctor’s appointments. Mom always reminded Dad to take his medications but the pill boxes are now unorganized or full when you visit.
2. Dad has unexplained bruises or skin tears. He has fallen but refuses a cane or walker and Mom thinks it’s a natural progression of skin as she ages.
3. Noticeable cognitive decline. Dad has forgotten his granddaughter’s name but still remembers his best friend from elementary school. Mom can’t remember how to work the microwave.
4. Increased hospitalizations. Mom can’t control her blood sugar levels and Dad has been dizzy since he started his new blood pressure medication.

If you do notice significant signs like these, sit down with your loved ones and have a conversation about their needs. Home care agencies like Home & Hearth Caregivers are able to relieve the burden of caregiving from adult children and allow the seniors to remain in their home. We accept private pay, veteran’s benefits and long-term care insurance. Please contact us at 800-349-0663 to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation assessment.

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Imagine all of your Medications, Physician and Emergency information at your fingertips wherever and whenever you need.  The bracelet can be plugged into any computer providing instant access for emergency medical responders taking the guess work out of your care.

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1-800-349-0663

Americans are often faced with having to make difficult decisions, therefore  we do our best to prepare for all the unexpected things. The decision to place a  loved one in someone else’s care or a long term facility is a struggle in every family. We strive to always be there for our loved ones and help them with whatever we can do. When it is out of our reach and when we no longer can help them, the decision to seek for help can be quite a struggle.  We want to make sure that they are ok and are getting the best care. So when we hear of new report done by USA today that 1 IN 5 NURSING HOMES GET LOW STARS,  it concerns a lot of family that are struggling to make an already tough decision.  

USA Today found  that nearly all of the nursing homes that were awarded one or two stars are owned by for-profit corporations.  This finding however was not well received with Medicare’s Thomas Hamilton, who spearheaded the rating system.  He would like to see more improvements. Thomas did say that one positive thing with the data finding is that there was a decrease in the number of one star nursing homes.   

When you are considering of placing your loved ones in a long term care facility, do your research.  Better yet,  choose an alternative option. 

 Choose for your loved ones to stay home surrounded by the people and memories they love. 

 Choose Home & Hearth Caregivers…….

For more on this article visit www.cbsnews.com

 As your elders get older, it gets harder and harder for them to maintain any kind of friendships. Friends move away, or end up in nursing homes and yes of course some pass away.  It has been said that friends are “good medicine”. New friends and old friends have the potential to enhance the quality of your elders life. Here are six reasons why:

A friend makes an excellent audience to reminisce about past experiences and relationships, which help your loved ones come to terms with their lives. Sharing such pastimeswith friends is easier than sharing it with family members who often have a vested interest in denying their loved ones past or avoiding sensitive issues.

A friend can bring fun again to your loved ones life. Family members are often consumed with providing care and financial assistance, they forget that distractions can be a good thing .  Friends just want to have a good time.

An old friend helps an elderly person maintain a sense of continuity. Friends who have known each other for decades look at each other’s faces don’t see old people.  They see each other as they were when they met. Your loved one can look at their friend and remember their first meeting whether it was in high school, college or their first roommate.

Having a friend forces an older person to be less self-absorbed and more altruistic. Friendship  compels an older person to forget about their own worries and instead worries about their friends well being.

A new friend will provide an opportunity to explore new things. There’s no need to maintain an old image with a new friend. Because there’s no common past to share, exploring new things with a new friend can be more exciting.

Having a friend to confide in helps an older person cope with problems more effectively.  When you have someone that shares the same issues, little things don’t seem so bad.  Friends can offer support, encouragement, new ideas and often just a different perspective.

Information provided by Rachel Zukerman