Providing personalized and compassionate elderly care is key to maintaining aging family members’ emotional, mental, and physical health. Women, however, need an additional care step built into their health plan: a bone density test. The home health care team at Visiting Angels of Northeastern Connecticut in Tolland, CT, understands this need and has some valuable information about osteoporosis and bone density tests below. 

How a Bone Density Test Helps Female Elderly Care

What Is a Bone Density Test?

A bone density test uses X-Rays to measure the calcium in your bones and screen for bone fragility, or osteoporosis. The higher your bone mineral content, the healthier, denser, and stronger they are.

Why Is This Test Necessary for Aging Women?

Due to their build and evolutionary roles, women tend to have smaller and thinner bones than men. This means their risk of developing osteoporosis is higher and increases as they age. In fact, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, about one in two women over 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. A simple bone density exam—commonly tested in the spine or hip—will identify your future risk, test your current bone strength, monitor osteoporosis treatment, and provide a baseline for prescription medications. 

Should You Take the Test?

In the past, doctors only diagnosed osteoporosis once bones were broken, but this made it difficult to accurately predict and prevent further damage and loss. Current technology presents an opportunity to gather accurate information before bones become too fragile for preventative measures. Doctors may recommend the test based on:

• Lost Height: Even a few inches of lost height may indicate compression fractures associated with osteoporosis. 
• Common Fractures: As bones age, they naturally become weaker, but more common or a high amount of fractures could be a sign of osteoporosis. 
• Low Hormones: The body naturally produces fewer hormones as we age. However, when estrogen drops in menopause, it can increase the risk for this disease and other bone health issues.

Whether your loved one was diagnosed with osteoporosis or simply needs emotional, physical, or social support, the elderly care experts at Visiting Angels of Northeastern Connecticut are ready to help. Their team understands that independence is often a high priority, and they will make modifications at your senior’s home to prevent falls and fractures. Call (866) 872-6084 to schedule an appointment or visit their website to learn more about in-home senior care.