As we age, maintaining strong bones and healthy joints becomes increasingly important for preserving mobility, independence and an active lifestyle. Half of women and a quarter of men will break a bone due to osteoporosis, and arthritis affects nearly 50% of adults aged 65 and older. The good news? There are proactive steps you can take to strengthen your bones, protect your joints and reduce your risk of injury.
Taking Proactive Steps to Support Bone and Joint Health
According to an article published by Chen Senior Medical Center, there are several important steps you can take to support bone and joint health, reduce your risk of injury, and enjoy active aging for years to come, including:
Identifying Risks
Early detection can help identify concerns before they lead to injury. Bone density tests, fall risk assessments, joint health screenings and muscle strength evaluations can reveal areas that need improvement.
Staying Active
Weight-bearing exercises like walking and climbing stairs, and resistance training can strengthen bones and muscles. Balance and flexibility exercises like tai chi or yoga improve joint stability and reduce fall risk.
Supporting Bones With a Healthy Diet
A diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, protein, magnesium and vitamin K supports skeletal health, especially for those at risk of bone loss. If diet alone isn’t enough, your healthcare provider may recommend supplements to increase your intake of these key nutrients.
Addressing Bone Loss
If testing reveals bone loss, talk to your healthcare provider about medications and other strategies to slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk.
Managing Joint Pain
Chronic joint pain can make it difficult to stay active. Depending on your individual needs, treatments can include topical or oral NSAIDs, physical therapy, heat or cold therapy, assistive devices, corticosteroid injections for acute flare-ups or other approaches your healthcare provider recommends.
Reducing Your Fall Risk
Small changes can make a big difference. Reduce trip hazards in your home, get regular vision and hearing screenings, and talk with your healthcare provider about medications that may cause dizziness or affect balance. In some cases, they may be able to recommend alternative medications with fewer side effects or may advise on changing the time of day when medication is taken to reduce impacts.
Taking these proactive actions can help you protect bone and joint health and maintain an active, independent lifestyle for years to come.
Trio Healthcare Empowers Seniors to Enjoy Active Aging
Trio Healthcare’s personalized rehabilitation therapy services help seniors live an active lifestyle, whether they are recovering from an injury or illness or want to take proactive steps to protect their bone and joint health. Our physical therapists can create a customized plan to support seniors in building muscle strength, improving mobility, reducing fall risk, improving range of motion to reduce stiffness and managing pain. Contact us to learn more.