More than a third of people aged 65 or older in the United States fall every year, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Even worse? More than 1.6 million of them end up in the emergency room due to fall-related injuries. Falls the leading cause of fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, loss of independence, even death.
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More than 40 million people in the United States either have osteoporosis or are at risk for the disease because of low bone mass, according to the National Institutes of Health. Just how critical is this issue? Bone health has been declared to be a "national public health priority," by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Seniors are particularly susceptible to this widespread disease, which can lead to fractures and a number of other health complications. Let's take a closer look at what caregivers need to know about this significant threat to senior health.
Millions of older Americans have osteoporosis or are at risk of developing the disease. While risk factors like gender, age, size, ethnicity, and family history are outside an individual's control, other risk factors for low bone density are lifestyle-related. One of the easiest yet most impactful ways to prevent this debilitating disease? Exercise. Let's take a closer look at the link between exercise and osteoporosis, along with what every caregiver should know about senior bone health.
The Link Between Exercise and Strong Bones
The National Osteoporosis Foundation cites two types of exercise as pivotal to building bone strength and maintaining bone density: weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises.
