It’s estimated that over two million bones are fractured due to osteoporosis in the U.S. every year. The International Osteoporosis Organization says that worldwide a bone is fractured every 3 seconds. With the aging baby boomer population growing in the U.S., these statistics will increase. But there are steps that you can take to prevent bone loss and monitor your bone density as you age.
Your bones are dynamic. They are living and growing tissue. They build up and breakdown throughout your life with your peak bone density mass determined between the ages of 18-25. But as you age, the balance between bone formation and bone loss starts to change. By midlife, bone loss usually speeds up. This is normal. But when the balance is tipped, osteoporosis occurs when you lose too much bone and make too little.
One out of every two women are at risk for developing osteoporosis and one out of every four men are at risk. Women are at a higher risk due to the loss of estrogen as they age. In fact, in the five to seven years following menopause, women can lose up to 20 percent of their bone density.
There are some simple steps that you can take to make sure you are contributing to and maintaining healthy bone density.
A bone density test will evaluate several different bones to determine the strength and the potential risk that you will develop osteoporosis. Typically, the bone density test is done on the spine, hip, wrist and heel. The DXA scan is the most widely used bone density scan that is painless, using x-ray technology. A bone density test is the only test that can diagnosis osteoporosis before a broken bone occurs.
Along with the bone density test, your medical professional will also review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and order laboratory tests.
These laboratory test will evaluate:
From the results, your physician and you can determine a plan to addressing any concerns.
Often times, osteoporosis will happen without notice in the early stages. Bad posture, shortened height over time, back pain, and feeling unsteady can be signs once the bones have weakened. The only way to diagnose osteoporosis is with a bone density test.
In addition to meeting with your primary care provider, we recommend the National Osteoporosis Foundation as a good resource for detailed information about osteoporosis. You can find them here.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.