For the longest time, it was believed that women had weaker bones and were more susceptible to injuries because of this. However, there is new data out there that indicates that one third of all hip fractures occur in men, and that there is an extremely high mortality rate amongst these men: about 37 percent within the first year of having the fracture. This number is about twice as high as the number associated with women suffering from the same injury.
It’s an alarming statistic because many of these deaths are completely preventable. Falls can often be avoided with a number of different methods, and if the fall never happened, the death wouldn’t have necessarily followed so closely. For starters, a diagnosis of osteoporosis would have been helpful in raising awareness. Many men never get tested, and therefore diagnosed, for this disease because their is the misconception that only women can get osteoporosis. This is false, and it is a mistake that can be fatal because it leaves men more vulnerable to a catastrophic injury, death, or a permanent disability.
There are estimates that this common mistake will lead to millions of elderly men living in pain, and completely dependent upon long term care in the future. Furthermore, it can contribute to premature deaths and heartache. This has already started to happen in our society, but part of the solution is also a type of long term care. In-home care can eliminate a lot of the causes of falls, and this can drastically reduce the likelihood of a fractured hip, both for men and women.
In-home care creates a safe environment without removing someone from their families and their home. It allows an elderly individual to stay where they are happiest and most comfortable, but still receive the care and attention that they need in order to be safe and healthy. A good caregiver will also ensure that things in the house that present hazardous situations are resolved, such as messy hallways and cluttered stairs. It also is the type of service that will reduce the number of scenarios where a fall could occur. Rather than straining to get up and prepare a meal or another necessary task, the caregiver takes care of this for them.
There’s no way to completely eliminate the odds of having a fall, but with the combination of preventative medical care, strength building, and appropriate supervision, the odds of a fall and the damage done by one if it does ever happen can push the odds onto the side of the person in need. It is an easy way to boost bone health. In-home is just one way to account for this need, but it is very cost effective and extremely easy to administer. However, medical checkups are not replaceable. Regardless of the type of care that you do or do not choose to get for your loved one, regular doctor appointments and testing for common illnesses amongst the elderly are extremely important. Just the knowledge that osteoporosis is a concern can help you to take steps to make your home safer for living in.
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