University Settlement: How to Identify & Fight Osteoporosis

Did you know a fracture due to osteoporosis happens every 3 seconds? 

One just happened.

Women over 50 are most at-risk for developing osteoporosis. Keeping with University Settlement’s tradition of addressing the needs of the community, the Houston Street Center developed a new addition to its Senior HeART Program (our health and wellness program for adults age 50+) called Better Bones.

Through a partnership with Beth Israel Latino Health Institute, Better Bones conducts a series of health screenings to identify seniors who are at risk for developing osteoporosis. Once identified, seniors diagnosed with, or at risk for, osteoporosis have access to amazing activities designed to improve bone density, strength, balance and flexibility, and to reduce the risk of falls and fractures.

Seniors at University Settlement do yoga, Qigong, body sculpt, tap dance and swing, among other interesting choices. 

In less than a year Better Bones has proven to really make bones better!

Last week Beth Israel Latino Health Institute conducted bone health scans on-site to assess the bone health of our seniors and many of the Better Bones participants received improved bone-health scores this year due to their involvement in the program - a Bone-fied success!