Community programs increase awareness of osteoporosis and bone health

Wednesday, 26 October 2011 07:54

When the Senior Support Group received a visit from American Bone Health staff to educate Latino elders and their caregivers about osteoporosis, the audience was pleased with this opportunity. For most, this was the first time to learn about bone health and have a bone density screening. It is "never too late to check my bones for the first time," said Maria, a 78-year-old woman who is mother to twenty sons and daughters. To the surprise of the group she was not one of the ones at risk after the screening. Juana, a 66-year-old woman with eight children, expressed her surprise, "Why am I at high risk? I don't have many children like Maria . . . . Now I know that I need to take care of my bones."

In communities where Latino elders have limited access to health education, information, and orientation to using the health care system, support groups create a space for them to learn. A support group provides the opportunity for organizations like American Bone Health and other professional providers to help underserved people get access to education and health screenings. Many Latino elders like Juan and Jose and their caregivers share this new experience, saying, "I was thinking that doctors will take some piece of my bone and that it will be a painful and traumatic test-screening, but it was very simple, not painful, so I know that I need to take care of myself, pay attention to my daily diet and tell my daughters and granddaughters that they need to have screenings."

"Delivering the message around the community is the key. They changed their view and learned that they can practice prevention of this silent disease called osteoporosis," says Mr. Carlos Torres, coordinator of the Latino education and outreach programs of Jewish Family and Children's Services (JFCS) of the East Bay.

As part of the health education program, Latino elders and their caregivers learn that one out of two women and one out of eight men over fifty will suffer a fracture because of osteoporosis. The good news is that it is possible to prevent and treat bone loss and osteoporosis. If we take action today, we can improve bone health for a lifetime. Collaborating with Jewish Family and Children's Service's culturally and linguistically appropriate local programs, we are reaching underserved and disadvantaged Latino communities. Carlos Torres, JFCS staff and a member of the American Bone Health speaker's bureau, hopes that "other health providers will be aware that education, information and follow-up, especially with those who have limited English speaking skills, are necessary to prevent accidents and promote awareness about bone health in aging people, and to help achieve a better quality of life for underserved elders."