Ways To Help An Elder Deal With Osteoporosis -1

I was lucky to accompany my mother to the orthopedist for her osteoporosis problem; the specialist clearly told me that she should avoid falls and further deterioration of her bones. He also told me to make sure my mother understood and remembered all the instructions given, considering that elders had memory and mental problems.

Ways to help your elder with osteoporosis: 

Ensure that you make your home accident proof:

Make sure you install night lights in each room and hallways and that all rooms have adequate lighting. Next ensure the walking area is free of clutter from electrical cords, small rugs that are ripped or uneven, boxes and bags. Also ensure you do not wax the floors.

Ensure you install handrails or grab bars on stairs, bathroom and shower; also install non-slip rubber bathmats in the shower. Ensure the elders check their vision and wear correct corrective glasses to prevent falls.

Next ensure that the elder uses a chair that has firm and wide arm rests and sits high. Chair seat lifts operated by springs could be placed on chair seats to facilitate getting up in the absence of arm strength; a variety of such seat lifts are available at medical supply stores.  

Make sure you alter the elder’s clothes and shoes: 

Hem the full length robes and nightgowns and convince elders to use new shoes that are supportive and have soles with traction. Make sure their slacks don't drag the floor and make them understand the importance of getting rid of sloppy, loose house shoes and bedroom slippers.

Suggest they use effective walking aids:

Convince the elder to use a walker in place of a cane, as it gives them more support; impress upon them the fact that it is not feeble to use a walker as it could prevent falls better. Otherwise get them a safer cane that has secure grip handles and 3 prongs that allow them to stand up on their own.  

Encourage your elders to wear undergarments that are padded in the hips: 

These hip pads could be purchased from catalogs that specialize in aids for the elderly; you may need to teach them how to use these hip pads that have been shown to reduce hip fractures.

Demonstrate safe walking techniques:

You need to demonstrate to elders that they should not use the walker to pull themselves on their feet; instead they should use the arms of the chair to stand up slowly with their legs a few inches apart to have balance. They need to walk slowly and steadily with their heads up and eyes forward and stand tall while using the walker. Elders need to be shown to bend at the hips and knees and not at the waist; they should lower themselves using their thighs and not lean over as they may lose balance or become light headed.

To conclude these are general guidelines regarding the help we can give our elders that are afflicted with osteoporosis; when in doubt do consider your orthopedist for more tips and suggestions.  

I would soon be coming out with another blog with more tips to help you deal with your elder with osteoporosis.