While one in four women 65 years and older (one in two women over the age of 80) have osteoporosis, it is not a disease that only affects women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one in ten men older than 80 also have some level of bone loss.
So what is osteoporosis? Experts state that the disease is the gradual weakening of the skeletal system and causes bones to become weak and brittle. This results in an increased risk of fractures from falls or mild stresses as the bones thin (a decrease of bone mass and density) and become depleted of bone calcium and protein. To diagnose the disease, patients are screened using a dual X-ray absorptiometry, also called a DXA or DEXA. Doctors use the test to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine, hip or total body to help evaluate a person’s risk of fracture. The noninvasive scan is painless and usually takes only 10 or 20 minutes. While there are risk factors associated with a greater likelihood of developing osteoporosis, some people develop it without any of them. Gender, family history, age, body size and ethnicity are risk factors you cannot change but there are other things you can change. Bone loss can be caused by a lifetime diet that is low in calcium and vitamin D as well as the long-term use of several medications such as glucocorticoids. Lack of exercise, cigarette smoking, and excessive consumption of alcohol can also lead to osteoporosis. Many doctors would like to see more adults tested at a younger age so if there are any signs of the disease, it can be identified early and treatment and lifestyle changes made years before bones become brittle. Right now bone mineral density screening is recommended for all postmenopausal women and for men age 50 years and older based on risk factors and on the advice of their health care provider. Our post is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult your health care provider regarding all medical concerns. MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please schedule a tour to discover the newest community in the West Des Moines area. Sources: agingcare.com/articles/an-overview-of-osteoporosis-133147.htm webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20150813/1-in-4-senior-women-in-us-has-osteoporosis-cdc#1
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As we age, engaging in memory exercises is just important as physically excising our bodies. The Alzheimer’s Association offers recommendations on some easy ways to daily exercise our brain with activities that include reading, writing and doing crossword or other puzzles, playing games and attending events such as lectures or plays.
They state that there are four areas we can work on to help reduce our risk of cognitive decline: physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement. In fact research has found that simply by keeping our brains active, we can actually increase its vitality and may even help to generate new brain cells. An article on the “6 simple steps to keep your mind sharp at any age” from the Harvard Health Publication outlines ways to help prevent cognitive decline and reduce your risk of dementia. The article stresses the importance of continuing to learn as challenging our brains with mental exercises is “believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them.” MorningStar at Mountain Shadows could not agree more. Our senior living community is loaded with activities that are not only fun but also help to stimulate our brains. Just a quick look at our monthly calendar shows an abundance of activities such as word, board, and card games that help to challenge our brains. Residents at MorningStar enjoy games such as Yahtzee, Bunco, Poker, Bingo, Scrabble, Hangman, and Crossword Puzzles. Regardless of personal interest, our seniors find plenty to do to keep them interested in life. With a range of activities such as reading and baking groups, arts and crafts, and fun-filled card games, residents stay social and keep their brains active. The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest assisted living in beautiful Colorado Springs. Sources: alz.org/we_can_help_stay_mentally_active.asp health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/6-simple-steps-to-keep-your-mind-sharp-at-any-age |
Offering a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, MorningStar is committed to giving residents a quality of life surpassing that of other senior living communities. To experience firsthand the finest in senior living, contact us to schedule a tour. Archives
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