Older People Living Alone
Age and bones have a love-hate relationship. When we are young our bones are in better shape and functioning, but as we start to age, bone health starts getting affected. This is the reason, why each and every one of us should be informed about the bone health.
Osteoporosis is a major public health problem worldwide. World Health Organization (WHO) puts this disease second along with the cardiovascular diseases at the top, on the list of serious global healthcare problems. Studies have reported that Asian women have higher predisposition for the osteoporosis than their Caucasian counterparts. About 1 in 3 women over the age of 30 years of age experience fractures related to osteoporosis. The attainment of peak bone mass in adolescent years and the rate of bone loss during postmenopausal years are some of the major factors contributing to bone health in older women. The rate of bone loss accelerates during the early postmenopausal years. The accelerated bone loss in the post menopausal osteoporosis is a result of decline estrogen concentrations. According to WHO, it is an under-recognized public health concern that needs immediate attention. While osteoporosis has been known to commonly affect menopausal women, improper dietary habits and an increasingly indoor lifestyle are now putting the relatively younger generation at risk. The lack of awareness about the disease and specific osteoporosis guidelines further raise concerns about its growing trend in the country.