Yet some risk factors are controllable. Diets high in salt or protein can be detrimental to bones. High salt content causes the loss of calcium from the body, and excess protein accelerates bone loss, says Dr. Khashayar Sakhaee, professor of internal medicine and chief of mineral metabolism at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. And it is well recognized that calcium supplements can help prevent bone loss in elderly patients. One glass of milk has 300 mg of calcium and one cup of yogurt averages 250 mg.
Today there is a growing patient population that needs to be seen in their homes.
Dr. Joe Ventimiglia, an assistant professor of family practice and community medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas sees a number of patients in their homes. But there are specific reasons for caring for some patients at home. Often older patients who are very ill and frail can be seen at home without as much disruption. Some of these patients may have trouble moving around or may become disoriented when taken away from familiar surroundings. Others may have developed anxieties or fears that worsen in strange places.