How Seniors in Reseda, CA and Surrounding Communities Can Maintain Good Bone Health
Our home health care services help seniors in Reseda, North Hollywood, San Fernando and surrounding areas in California stick to healthy habits that can help them maintain good bone mineral density
People lose bone mineral density as they age, which is why many seniors suffer from osteoporosis. This illness is characterized by deterioration of bone tissue is painless, and because of that most of the older adults are not aware they have it until they fracture a bone. However, when the accident occurs, the illness is already advanced and very hard to treat.
Osteoporosis can lead to injuries, and many seniors who have experienced a fall need help from home health care providers during the recovery period. Serious bone fractures can even cause a loss of independence and significantly impact a senior’s life. Luckily, there are some ways your loved one can improve their bone health and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Follow a Nutritious Diet
In order to stay healthy and avoid developing osteoporosis, your loved one should ensure they get enough calcium and vitamin D throughout the day.
Calcium is extremely important for maintaining good bone health and 99 percent of our body’s calcium is stored in the bones. When calcium levels in the blood are low, our body takes the calcium from the bones to make up for the low levels. However, this can lead to low bone mineral density so it is important that your loved one eats plenty of foods that are rich in calcium.
Our home health care providers can encourage your parent to eat dairy products, broccoli, kale, and other green vegetables, canned fish, oranges, peaches, dried figs or nuts. In case your loved one is allergic to most of these products, our caregivers can remind them to take calcium supplements when needed.
While people can get vitamin D from the sun, our ability to absorb it through the skin decreases as we age. Therefore, your loved one should eat foods that are rich in vitamin D such as fish, cod liver oil and products specifically fortified with vitamin D, as well as supplements.
Exercise
Maintaining a daily exercise routine is not only good for weight loss and building muscles, but it can also improve your loved one’s bone health, protect their spine and slow the rate of bone loss. Seniors who regularly work out are less prone to falls and are more coordinated and flexible.
Activities such as weightlifting, dancing, Tai chi, aerobics and walking can help reduce osteoporosis, and our home health care provider can encourage your loved one to stay active as much as their health allows it.
At Visiting Angels San Fernando Valley, your loved one’s health and well-being is our main priority. Our home health care providers will do everything in their power to help your parent stick to healthy habits and improve their bone health.
Contact our Reseda, CA office to learn more about how we can help your loved one stay healthy and continue living at home for as long as they wish.