| Osteoporosis is a bone disease that is often found to | | | | used, should have rubber backing. One can also use |
| afflict the elderly. Also called porous bone, the | | | | anything that will make it skid-proof such as securing |
| disease causes one's bones to become so fragile and | | | | it with non-skid tape. |
| thus prone to being fractured or broken. The risks of | | | | Areas in the home that is commonly frequented by |
| the elderly getting fractured bones are compounded, | | | | the elderly like the doorways, stairwells and |
| as they are also prone to falling or losing their | | | | bathrooms, should be well lit. The bathrooms should |
| balance. Common osteoporosis-related fractures are | | | | have grab bars; the tub or shower should have |
| wrist fractures, fractures of the spine, and hip | | | | rubber mats. Stairwells should have sturdy handrails |
| fractures. | | | | as well. |
| Thankfully, there are some preventive measures one | | | | When outdoors, the elderly should use a cane or |
| can do to decrease the chances of elder members in | | | | walker. When walking outside, they should avoid |
| the family from falling and being victim to | | | | slippery sidewalks or wet grass as these can easily |
| osteoporosis-related fractures. | | | | cause one to slip and fall. To further help with |
| To start with, a few changes could be done while | | | | stability, shoes with rubber soles should be used. |
| inside the house. Elderly members of the household | | | | These are just simple things or minor changes that |
| should avoid walking in socks or stockings. The floor | | | | one can start doing in the house. Despite their |
| should be kept free from clutter, such as children's | | | | advanced age, the elderly would still like to keep their |
| toys lying around, to prevent tripping on them. | | | | independence and mobility. If they still want to be |
| The floor shouldn't be too polished as well to avoid | | | | active and mobile, they shouldn't be prevented from |
| anyone from slipping. There's no need to use floor | | | | doing so. Other members of the family should just |
| wax in this instance as it makes the floor too smooth | | | | make it safer for them to move around. |
| and thus prone to causing people to slide. Rugs, if | | | | |