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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, NOVEmbER 15, 2024 Page 27 Sa nr Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How to Know if You’re Getting Osteoporosis Dear Savvy Senior, Can a person in their early fi fties have osteoporosis? When I fell and broke my wrist last winter the doctor that treated me told me I might have osteoporosis. Surprised Susan Dear Susan, While osteoporosis is much more common in adults over age 60, it can strike younger people too. In fact, according to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation half of women and up to 25 percent of men in the U.S. over age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Here’s what you should know. Osteoporosis, a disease that weakens your bones is also called a “silent” disease because there are no warning signs until a fracture occurs. Around 10 million Americans over age 50 currently have osteoporosis, and an additional 44 million have osteopenia (lower than normal bone density) – 80 percent of whom are women. Most people, by the time they reach their late 30’s, gradually start losing some of their bone mass, but for women, the biggest decline happens in the fi ve to seven years following menopause, when levels of estrogen, which helps to keep bone strong, plummets. Bone loss for men occurs much more gradually. However, by age 75, osteoporosis is as common in men as it is in women. To help you determine your risk of osteoporosis, the International Osteoporosis Foundation has a quick, online test you can take at RiskCheck.Osteoporosis.Foundation. Bone Checkup According to the BHOF all women over 65 and men over 70 should have a baseline dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, which is a painless measurement of the calcium in your bones. But those at high risk should start around age 50. Factors that make a good case for early screening include having a family history of osteoporosis, a broken bone after age 50, vitamin D defi ciency, a smoking habit, medical conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis or previous or current use of medications that can weaken bones, like steroid prednisone and certain antidepressants. Most bone density tests are covered by health insurance companies including Medicare, and are done in hospital radiology departments, private radiology practices and stand-alone clinics. Bone-Builders If your bone scan fi nds that you have osteopenia but have a low to moderate 10-year fracture risk, lifestyle measures are usually the best course of action. Three important things you can do to boost your bone health include: Get enough calcium and vitamin D: Calcium helps keep bones strong, and vitamin D helps us absorb calcium. Women older than 50 and men over 70 need at least 1,200 mg of calcium per day ideally from foods like dairy, canned sardines, kale, and fortifi ed orange juice. Adults over 50 need 870 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D each day, but that’s hard to get from food. Have your levels checked to see if you need a supplement. Exe r c i s e : Low impac t weight-bearing exercises like walking, and strength training with light weights or resistant bands several times a week can actually help build bone strength, as well as improve balance and muscle strength. Don’t smoke: Women who smoke a pack of cigarettes per day as adults have less dense bones at menopause. Osteoporosis Meds If, however, your bone density test fi nds that you have osteoporosis your doctor will probably recommend medications. The fi rst line of treatment is usually bisphosphonates such as alendronate (Binosto and Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel and Atelvia), and ibandronate (Boniva). These oral or injectable drugs slow the breakdown of bone but won’t build it back. For severe osteoporosis your doctor may instead prescribe an anabolic: teriparatide (Forteo), abaloparatide (Tymlos), or romosozumab (Evenity). These are typically given as daily or monthly injections and they increase the amount and strength of bones. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. O f Everett. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully in his Everett home on Wednesday, November 6th, at the age of 90. Born in Limbe, Haiti, to Semexant Guerrier and Iliorine Ulvain, he spent most of his life as a dedicated farmer. He worked tirelessly alongside his wife, caring for their land and nurturing the animals he nior ior Carmela (Filaseta) Salemi O f Everett. En t ered into eternal rest at home on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. She was 80 years old. Born in Orsara di Puglia, Italy, Carmela was a longtime resident of Everett. She was the dear daughter of the late Giuseppe Filaseta and Lucia Nicolo; the beloved wife of Alfonso Salemi for over 54 years. the dear and devoted mother of Anthony Salemi and his wife, Ana of Melrose, Loredana Constantine and her husband, Robert of Everett and the late Giuseppe Salemi; the devoted sister of Marianna Guerriero and her husband, Gennaro of Everett and the late Rocchina Filaseta, and the loving Nonna of Ariana Salemi. Relatives and friends were invited to attend Carmela’s visitation and a funeral mass on Monday, November 11 in St. Anthony’s Church, Everett. Burial was private. Arrangements by the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home. Saintelus Guerrier OBITUARIES ~In Memoriam~ In Loving Memory of Robby DiBiase March 11, 1967 - November 13, 2023 A year ago you got your WINGS. You are MISSED everyday. You are REMEMBERED always. You are LOVED forever and ever. ~Sheila cherished In 2007, Saintelus and his wife, Herese Augustin, moved to Malden, MA, to start a new chapter of their lives alongside their daughter Marie, her husband Frank, and their children. He embraced his new surroundings while keeping the essence of his homeland alive within his family. Saintelus leaves behind a legacy of resilience, kindness, and a tireless work ethic. He is survived by his beloved wife Herese; his children Marie A. Profi le of Everett, Pierre V. Guerrier of the United States, Garry Guerrier of Haiti, Gertha Jules Guerrier of Tennessee, and Peter Guerrier of Haiti; and nine adoring grandchildren. His family will always remember his selfl ess spirit, the way he loved to keep himself busy, and his boundless pride in his children and grandchildren. Saintelus was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, and his cherished son, Luk Guerrier. Saintelus lived up to his last name, Guerrier, which means “warrior” in French. Even in his later years and through illness, he fought with strength and resilience until his fi nal breath. His fi ghting spirit and contagious joy will always be remembered and cherished. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, November 15th, at the Weir-MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, 144 Salem St, Malden. Visitation begins at 9 AM, followed by a funeral service at 10 AM. He will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, surrounded by family and loved ones.

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