As Correct Your Posture Month, May is a good time to address your mom’s posture. Over the years, you notice she slouches more. It could be a sign of a health issue. It could also be a poor posture that could be corrected. How can you tell the difference?

Poor Posture

One rule of good posture is to keep the ear centered to the shoulder. If your ear is above the center of your shoulder, that’s a good place to have the head for proper spinal alignment. Her back should be straight and hips against the back of her chair.

If you’re seeing her head tipped forward and her back swaying, it could be her posture is poor. Flat feet and the pelvis pushed forward are other signs. If this is happening, she should talk to her doctor. If it’s just bad posture, she can learn to correct it. It could also be a sign of a common medical issue.

Osteoporosis and Kyphosis

If your mom has osteoporosis, her spine may start curving forward. This will give your mom a stooped appearance with her spine curving out and her head and shoulders pushed forward.

Your mom needs to have her bone density checked as often as her doctor recommends. If she hasn’t been for a bone density test, it’s important to take her to see her doctor. If osteoporosis is diagnosed, a diet rich in calcium and medications may be recommended. She might also be told to see a specialist and given exercises to do at home to help strengthen her muscles.

Scoliosis

People think of scoliosis as a problem in childhood. It can happen in older adults. It can reappear in adults who had scoliosis as a teen. It can happen as a result of a traumatic injury. It can also be tied to the degeneration of the spine.

If scoliosis is diagnosed, exercise programs are helpful. Your mom would see a physical therapist and learn the exercises to help straighten the spine and improve her posture. She may need to undergo surgery.

No matter what the treatment options are, you should talk to your mom about the benefits of senior care. If she needs surgical intervention, she’ll need someone to drive her to therapy sessions and doctor’s appointments. She’ll need help at home with housework and mobility while she recuperates.

Senior care services can help her with groceries and meal preparation. Caregivers can do her laundry, change her sheets, make her bed, and do the laundry. As she strengthens her spine and muscles, she can start doing more around the home. As she does, it’s easy to reduce senior care services.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elderly Care in Oakland, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855

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andy@hcprosonline.com

CEO at HomeCare Professionals

Andy Howardis a Bay Area Native who holds a BA in Political Science (University of Colorado at Boulder, ’97). After college Andy worked in the surging tech industry.His Grandmother however, would suffer a significant decline in health and ultimately needed in-home care. The experience of a loved one depending on outside help to age in place proved to be pivotal for Andy as he left the tech industry in 2002 for an opportunity in the home care world with a large provider. After having success in home care, but being frustrated by corporate constraints Andy founded HomeCare Professionals in 2005.He methodically built the company one client at a time by focusing on hiring quality caregivers to ensure positive outcomes. Currently Andy serves as the CEO of HomeCare Professionals and is also highly active in the non-profit organization California Association of Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) which advocates for a higher standard of in-home care for those who wish to remain living at home in California.

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