Osteoporosis, or the gradual thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time, is a disease that can lead to increased risk of fractures, particularly those that occur in situations where healthy people would otherwise not break a bone.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation uses the month of May to spread awareness about osteoporosis. The disease is often preventable and manageable, and information is the first step towards ensuring good bone health.

Although lifestyle changes can often prevent osteoporosis, it is still a common disease. Estimates suggest that half of all women and up to one in four men older than 50 will eventually break a bone because of osteoporosis. Breaking a bone, especially when you’re older, is serious and can be very painful.

Detecting osteoporosis is difficult without a bone density test. It is important, once you’re older, to have your bone density tested every few years, or more often if your tests score low in density.

Luckily, osteoporosis prevention has much in common with many things we consider important to our general health. Getting enough calcium, vitamin D and regular exercise is important for your bones. Eating fruits and vegetables, in addition to having many other health benefits, can also help prevent osteoporosis. Treatment for osteoporosis can vary based on sex and age, but medication and nutritional intervention have both been shown to be effective.

Bone health is important, no matter your age. This May, speak with the seniors in your life about the importance of good nutrition and bone density scans, and make sure to examine your own health habits to see how you can further prevent osteoporosis.

At AlmaVia of San Rafael, we provide residents in our Assisted Living program with reminders and transportation so they are able to keep their regular doctor’s appointments—critical to maintaining good health.  For more information on our Assisted Living program, please call us at (415) 491-1900 or by email at info@almaviaofsanrafael.org.

Every year, the second Sunday of May brings Mother’s Day, a celebration of mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds. Other women, such as aunts, grandmothers and close female friends are often included in the celebration. This year, Mother’s Day is May 13th.

The holiday was proclaimed by the U.S. Congress in 1908, and has since become a widely celebrated occasion. In the U.S., Mother’s Day is the most popular day of the year to dine out at a restaurant, and more long-distance phone calls are made than any other day. Traditions include the gifting of flowers, cards and handmade presents.

Mother figures feature significantly in both history and fiction across the human experience, so to celebrate Mother’s Day and honor mothers, here’s a look at a few of the most famous—and infamous—mothers. Try and match these notable mothers to their descriptions!

1) Sometime in the 17th century, the image of this woman, an imaginary author of a collection of fairy tales and nursery rhymes, was popularized.

2) The image of this woman, also known as Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1, is set on canvas by James McNeill Whistler. The portrait, one of the most famous paintings by an American artist, captures the image of the painters’ mother sitting in profile.

3) This woman, the quintessential 1950s housewife from “Leave It to Beaver,” is one of television’s most enduring images of motherhood, and was long seen as an ideal image of motherhood and female accomplishment.

4) Both an adoptive and biological mother, this woman is the mother of several children. She adopted two of her children as a single mother, and has become an international figure of adoptive motherhood.

a) June Cleaver
b) Angelina Jolie
c) Mother Goose
d) Whistler’s Mother

(Answers: 1c, 2d, 3a, 4b)

Additionally, many famous women are not only scientists, authors and politicians, but mothers as well! Marie Curie, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sandra Day O’Connor and Alice Walker, among countless others, are women who count motherhood among their accomplishments.

This year, celebrate motherhood by thanking and remembering the women in your life: mothers, daughters, aunts, grandmothers, nieces and friends. Happy Mother’s Day!

Did you know there are more than 100 types of arthritis, a joint disorder characterized by inflammation? Osteoarthritis, the most common kind, affecting more than 27 million Americans, is a result of general wear-and-tear on the joints, and therefore more common among older adults. The Arthritis Foundation has set May aside to raise awareness about this debilitating condition, from prevention to treatment.

Maintaining an ideal body weight is essential to preventing arthritis—plus it can help with pre-existing arthritis by lessening the stress put upon joints. A good diet can also help build strong muscles, which will help prevent joints from rubbing against each other.

Movement is one of the best treatment options for arthritis. In most cases, staying active can help prevent the onset of arthritis completely. Particularly for those with osteoarthritis, movement exercises can help ease pain. If the senior in your life has arthritis, meet with them and their doctor to discuss how movement can help ease their pain.

One of the most difficult aspects of arthritis is the chronic pain. Many people find alternative therapies helpful, including using gentle warmth to relax muscles, listening to music, taking vitamin D and meditating.

There are plenty of arthritis-friendly products out there. If the special senior in your life is struggling with routine tasks like removing the top of a medicine bottle or holding a pen, know that there is probably an affordable version of the product you’re looking for that’s actually earned the Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use commendation.

This May, spread the word about arthritis. If the special senior in your life struggles with arthritis, speak with them about ways to improve their comfort and lessen their arthritis pain. Often, the best way to brighten someone’s day when they’re struggling with arthritis is just to spend some time with them!

For more information about arthritis and what you can do to spread the word about prevention and treatment, visit arthritis.org.

April is Foot Health Awareness Month! The American Podiatric Medical Association knows that many people don’t think much about their feet until they encounter podiatric problems, so they’ve dedicated this month to raising awareness about how to take good care of your feet.

Foot health is a concern for a surprising number of people of all ages. 72 percent of Americans say they do not exercise because foot pain prevents them from doing so, according to a recent APMA survey, and 47 percent of Americans suffer from a foot ailment. Seniors have more foot concerns than any other age group, with 87 percent of older adults having at least one foot problem.

Luckily, many foot ailments are easily preventable. Examining your feet regularly, wearing comfortable shoes that fit, washing your feet daily with soap and lukewarm water and trimming your toenails straight across and not too short can prevent blisters, cracks, ingrown nails and fungal infections.

Your foot health can also be a clue for your overall health. Stiffness in the joints of your feet might be a sign of arthritis, and tingling or numbness could mean diabetes, which often causes a loss of feeling in the feet. Swelling in the feet can be a sign of kidney disease, heart disease or high blood pressure.

Your foot health isn’t only a sign for the rest of your health. Since your feet are your mode of getting around, it’s no surprise that your foot health can also affect your health at large. For seniors, getting treatment for foot pain can improve balance, which greatly reduces the risk of falling. Healthy feet makes exercising—even short walks—easier, which can have immense benefits for your health.

For people of any age, treatment for your foot ailment is very important. See a doctor or foot specialist right away if you notice:

- a sore on your foot that doesn’t heal or gets infected
- pain when you walk that stops when you rest
- unusual coldness, cramps, numbness or tingling
- diminished sensitivity to foot pain, hot or cold
- the skin on your feet or legs changes color
- a change in the shape or structure of your foot

Spend April developing good habits in your foot health. Happy feet make a happier you!