Should I consider medication for my elderly parent?
Yes. Several medications are available to prevent and treat osteoporosis. These products have been proven effective at minimizing additional bone loss and/or reducing fracture risk. Your doctor can help you understand the benefits and risks of each of the following medications and select one that is right for you:
- Bisphosphonate drugs: Alendronate, alendronate plus vitamin D, risedronate, risedronate with calcium and ibandronate
- Calcitonin
- Faloxifene, a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator
- Teriparatide, a form of the hormone known as PTH, which is secreted by the parathyroid glands
- Estrogen therapy (also called hormone therapy when estrogen and another hormone, progestin, are combined). In men, reduced levels of testosterone may be linked to the development of osteoporosis. Men with abnormally low levels of testosterone may be prescribed testosterone replacement therapy to help prevent or slow bone loss.
What else can my parent do to her bones?
In addition to taking her medication, some of the most important things your elderly mom can do are to follow a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, maintain an adequate daily intake of protein, monitor sodium intake, and get plenty of exercise.
Proper nutrition is one of the best ways to preserve your bone density and prevent falls as you age.
Calcium is needed to maintain healthy, strong bones throughout your life. After age 50, both men and women need to increase their calcium intake from 1,000 mg to 1,200 mg per day. Unfortunately, most Americans do not get enough calcium from their diets. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are an excellent source of calcium, and some nondairy foods like broccoli, almonds, and sardines, to name a few, can provide smaller amounts. In addition, many foods that your aging mother may already enjoy - juices, breads, cereals - can now be found fortified with calcium.
Although food is the best source of calcium because it also provides other essential nutrients, calcium supplements can fill the gap if you're not getting enough from your diet. Calcium supplements are available without a prescription in a wide range of preparations and strengths. Many people ask which calcium supplement they should take. The "best" supplement is the one that meets your needs based on tolerance, convenience, cost, and availability. In general, you should choose calcium supplements that are known brand names with proven reliability. Also, you will absorb calcium better if you take it several times a day in smaller amounts of 500 mg or less each time.