Living with Osteoporosis
Preventing Falls
If your bone health is compromised, it is worth taking some of the following extra precautions to avoid falls:
- Wear low-heeled, non-slip shoes
- Keep floors clutter-free
- Check your home for throw rugs, thick carpets, slippery surfaces and other hazardous items that might cause you to trip
- Keep stairwells well-lit and make sure stairs have handrails
- Install handrails or grab-bars in the bathroom
Maintaining good posture
Adopting good posture whether sitting or standing helps to avoid stress on the spine. Helpful hints include:
- When you sit or drive place a towel in the small of your back
- When lifting bend at your knees
- Do not lean over when reading
- Do not lift, push or pull heavy objects
Fashion tips
For women and men with osteoporosis, shopping for clothes can be difficult since physical changes such as shoulder and back curvature can cause the abdomen to protrude and can limit clothes choice. Helpful fashion tips include:
- Overall, wear clothing that is loose, straight or just slightly fitted
- Use elasticized waistbands
- For women, make good use of accessories, such as scarves and shawls
- Use a backpack to carry personal items, since it will help you to evenly distribute your weight and keep your hands free
