A letter from an orthopedic doctor to all senior citizens (aged 50-100 years and above...)
*I don't recommend determining bone density anymore, because the elderly will definitely suffer from osteoporosis, and with age, the level of osteoporosis will definitely become more serious, and the risk of bone fractures will definitely increase.*
*There is a formula:*
Fracture risk = external damage force / bone density.
*Elderly people tend to fracture because the denominator value (bone density) is getting smaller, so the risk of fracture will definitely increase.*
*Therefore, the most important step for seniors to prevent fractures is to do everything possible to prevent accidental injuries.*
*How to reduce accidental injuries?*
*There are seven secret characters that I summarized, namely:*
"Be careful, be careful, be more careful"!
*Specific measures include:*
1. Never stand on a chair or stool to pick something up, even if the stool is low.
2. Try to avoid going out on rainy days.
3. Be careful when showering or using the toilet, to avoid slipping.
4. Most important, especially for women - do not put on underwear in the bathroom, lean against the wall or other objects, which is the most common cause of slips and hip fractures... After showering, go back to your changing room.. Sit comfortably either in a chair or on your bed and then put on your underwear..
5. While going to the toilet, make sure the bathroom floor is dry and not slippery.. Use only a sitting toilet.. and at the same time, put a hand support to hold on while standing up from the toilet seat... the same goes for taking a shower while sitting on shower bench
6. Be sure to clean the mess on the floor before going to bed, and be doubly careful when the floor is wet...
7. When waking up in the middle of the night, sit on the bed for 3-4 minutes before standing up; make sure to turn on the lights first, and then get up.
8. At least at night or even during the day (if possible), please, please do not close the toilet door from the inside.. If possible, install an emergency bell in the toilet, and press it to call for help from family members etc. in case of emergency...
9. The elderly must sit on a chair or bed to put on pants etc.
10. In case of falling, you must reach out to get support from the floor. It is better to fracture the forearm and wrist than to fracture the femoral neck in the hip joint.
11. I highly recommend exercise, at least walking, as much as you can..
12. Especially for women.. very, very serious to maintain weight within permissible limits... Dietary control is the most important key... Eating leftovers, common behavior of women... just avoid it... give food waste to street cattle... keeping your weight under control is in your head and mind, "it's always better to stop eating with a half full stomach, than to eat until the stomach is completely full.
13. Regarding the increase in bone mass, I also recommend food supplements (dairy products, soy products and foods, especially bananas, which are high in calcium) rather than drug supplements.
14. Another is to do outdoor activities properly, because exposure to sunlight (under UV rays) converts cholesterol in the skin into vitamin D.
It is beneficial to promote intestinal calcium absorption and osteoblast activity has the effect of delaying osteoporosis.
Pay close attention to non-slip bathroom floors. When climbing stairs, use handrails and do not fall. Everyone, take care.
*Therefore, the elderly must pay attention to anti-slip and anti-fall measures.*
*One fall will cost ten years of life. Because all bones and muscles are damaged. So, be careful.*
*Avoid standing for too long*
*This message may seem long, but it is worth reading especially for the elderly, and those who care for the elderly.*
Dr. Shrujal Shah
Orthopedic Specialist and Joint Replacement Specialist
*Please post in other senior groups too*
