How Seniors in Westminster, CO and Surrounding Areas Can Maintain Good Bone Health
Our caregivers help seniors in Westminster, CO and surrounding communities stick to healthy diets and exercise routines to help them maintain strong bones and avoid getting osteoporosis
With age, seniors become more prone to bone fractures because of the loss of bone mineral density which leads to osteoporosis. This illness is characterized by deterioration of bone tissue and many older adults don’t realize they have it until it is too late and they have fractured a bone. In late stages this condition is hard to treat and can significantly impact a senior’s life.
Older adults who are recovering from an injury need the help of a home care provider to do everyday tasks, while further falls and fractures can lead to a complete loss of independence.
Luckily, there are some lifestyle changes your loved one can make to maintain bone health and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. Regardless of whether your parent has been diagnosed with this illness or not, our caregivers at Visiting Angels Westminster can ensure that they make the following changes and stay healthy.
Follow a Nutritious Diet
A well-balanced and healthy diet can prevent the likelihood of developing osteoporosis, so it is recommendable that your parent intakes enough calcium and vitamin D during the day.
Calcium is the main component of our bone tissue, and 99 percent of our body’s calcium is stored in our bones from where some of it is released into the bloodstream when calcium levels in the blood are low. This can lead to low bone mineral density so in order to stay healthy, your loved one should eat foods that are a good source of calcium.
Our caregivers can ensure your loved one eats plenty of dairy products, green vegetables, canned fish, fruits like oranges, peaches and dried figs as well as nuts and calcium-fortified cereals by providing assistance with meal planning and preparation. Your parent can also take supplements in case they are allergic to most calcium-rich foods.
On the other hand, vitamin D is a little harder to consume through food. Although fish, cod liver oil and yogurt are rich in vitamin D, it is difficult to get the recommended amount of this vitamin through diet alone, so older adults need to take supplements as well. While people also absorb vitamin D through sun rays, in senior years the body’s ability to absorb vitamin D through the skin is significantly reduced.
Exercise
Seniors who are physically active and exercise on a regular basis have better bone health. Working out does not only build muscles, but it slows down the rate of bone loss as well. Our trained caregivers can encourage your loved one to include weightlifting, dancing, Tai chi or walking into their daily schedule.
At Visiting Angels Westminster, we are dedicated to ensuring the well-being of our clients. We can help your parent stick to healthy habits and therefore improve their bone health.
Contact our Westminster, CO office to learn more.