GR senior citizens learn about osteoporosis

The statics are staggering for this disease.

One in two women and one in four men will break a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis.

For some seniors, this statistic was a shock, but for others it was something they already knew.

During an informational presentation at the Golden Hour Senior Center Thursday morning, attendees listened to Hayley Strauss from Peak Performance Physical Therapy on osteoporosis.

“Osteoporosis is something we deal with all the time,” Strauss said.

In fact, she sees so many clients for this disease a special class was created to meet the community needs.

“Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone that makes a person’s bones weak and more likely to break,” she said.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation’s website, nof.org, this disease was responsible for about 2 million broken bones in 2018. “Every year, of nearly 300,000 hip-fracture patients, one-quarter end up in nursing homes and half never regain previous function,” the site states.

Strauss said some people are more at risk to get osteoporosis than others. Some risk factors include, age, gender, a sedimentary lifestyle, family history, alcohol or tobacco use, smaller framed people.

“Osteoporosis is very serious and very deadly,” Strauss said.

It’s also costly. In 2018, $52 billion was spent on osteoporosis-related injuries. From medical bills from bone breaks to nursing home and hospital stays to recovery from the breaks.

Strauss said osteoporosis is treatable and to some extent preventable. She said staying active, such as lifting weights or going on walks or any resistance training can help.

She said making sure a home is rug-free and well lit can also help prevent seniors from falling, while a good diet with enough calcium and vitamin D, will also help prevent osteoporosis.

Foods to eat include green, leafy vegetables, dairy products, salmon, egg yolks and liver.