Common Concerns as We Age

In our senior years, we hope to enjoy retirement while checking the fun items off our bucket list. Those senior years can be fulfilling however, they sometimes bring physical pain.

Arthritis is the #1 condition experienced by seniors, affecting more than 50% of adults over 65 years of age. It can be painful, but the good news is that it can be managed. Most important is to keep moving, under the supervision of your physician, in order to manage the discomfort. “Move it or lose it” is a great motto. Here’s a useful link with information from the Arthritis Foundation: http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/tools-resources/

Falls and Injuries contribute almost 30% of emergency room visits with over 20% of those occurring from accidental falls in the senior population. This risk increases with age and occur largely in the home where loose rugs and slippery floors are major hazards. Fall Prevention week was in September but it’s never too late to read up on how to avoid common accidents. This link from the Mayo Clinic has practical advice on how to avoid becoming a statistic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358

Osteoporosis affects over 52 million Americans. This condition of low bone mass can limit mobility. October 20 is World Osteoporosis Day and the National Osteoporosis Foundation has assembled pertinent information to help understand prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Here is their website: http://nof.org/

At SOA we are committed to helping our patients get back on their feet, back to work, back in the game, and back to life. Call us at 941-951-2663 (BONE) for an appointment at any of our three locations in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, or Venice. Be well and stay healthy!