Osteoporosis Screening Is Absolutely Essential, Says Help The Aged

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 21 Sep 2007 - 19:00 PDT

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Reacting to the British Geriatrics Society and the Royal College of Surgeons proposal to screen fracture patients over 50 for osteoporosis, Pamela Holmes, Help the Aged Healthy Ageing Programme Manager, says:

'When an older person breaks a bone and is admitted to hospital for treatment, it makes absolute sense that they should be tested for osteoporosis. It's quite extraordinary that it doesn't already happen. One in two women and one in five men in the UK will have a fracture after the age of 50 1.

'This guidance is very welcome and timely and will help clinicians and hospital staff to ensure older people receive the best possible treatment.

'Osteoporosis is a devastating and yet hidden condition. But overnight it can dramatically change a person's life. You stand about a 50/50 chance of returning back home after breaking your hip if you're older and have osteoporosis. Screening people over the age of 50 with broken bones and instigating proper preventive treatments can help to prevent the sudden and shocking onset of this life shattering condition.'

Age of Discovery, Research into Ageing, 2006.

An estimated 3 million people in the UK suffer from osteoporosis - a thinning of the bones often associated with hormonal changes eg the menopause.
Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism.

It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change.

The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people.

Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect.

http://www.helptheaged.org.uk