Aging: The Bones

I can't wear my stilettos?

The effects of aging on the bones and muscles are normal, progressive, inevitable, and irreversible. If we live long enough, we all go through this process. For some it is slower than others, but never the less, it is inevitable

The Why

Our bones give us the rigid structure that gives us posture. The joints give us the bending points helping us move and function in various ways. Some factors that may affect the bone and joint function include shortening of the spine, weighing more that your bones can hold (increased BMI), decreased ability of the body to keep calcium in the bone, wear and tear sustained over time, so bones weaken and may break easily. There are other medical conditions that can cause bone pain like osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, bone cancer, infection in the bones, or rickets just to name a few, but I choose to focus on aging for the purpose of exploring the effects that come with if

Then These

There is increase in inflammation especially of the joints leading to pain and stiffness when you move. Certain movements become restricted. This can lead to difficulties completing common chores of cooking, cleaning, going up the stairs, or even as simple as buttoning your shirt. Your gait might be affected leading to increased falls and difficulty walking in those high heel shoes. All together, these changes affect the quality of life. Inability to gainfully work due to pain and fragility is very common

Frail Bones of Elderly

What Now?

There are a few thing that you can do to slow down the progression of bone loss or joint degeneration. Maintaining healthy weight is one of the key factors to alleviate stress on the knees, hips and lower back. regular exercise of various joints will maintain mobility and flexibility of the joints. Don't forget a healthy diet rich in calcium, fruits and vegetables. Regular visits to your healthcare provider will ensure screening of bone loss and effective prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Research suggests that smocking and overuse of alcoholic beverages increase bone loss.

Outside Looking In

Now then what can we do about our loved ones that are already there. Am glad you ask. We can do a few things to make life a little easier for them to go on. Make safety a priority. Modify the home to accommodate the limited mobility status and prevent risks for fall. Create a ramp on the door steps to ease getting in and out of the house. Avail a walker, wheel chair, or cane for support with ambulation in the home. A shower chair so they are sitting while taking a shower. consider modifying that bath tub to a standing, walk -in shower and make it wheel chair accessible. Install holding bars or rails on the hallways and especially in the shower room and bathroom. Arrange rooms so that there in no clutter that your loved one will trip over. Place non-skid strips on all hardwood floors, tile floors, and especially the stairs.

Elderly holding onto a rail

Plan Ahead

Remember to create a care plan that accommodates your loved one's ability. The condition of your loved one will change from day to day depending on whether the pain is more or less today, but functionality also deteriorates over the years. So it is important to revise the care plan based on any changes you see. Most of all, know when you need help. If you are the sole caregiver, sometimes you may need help or respite. If you have to work, and your loved one still needs care, do you have someone that can step in for you? maybe you are sick and need to rest or be away. Then it is time to look into an assisted living facility for your loved one. Here they will get care for the daily activities and meals for a fee.