A 180º turn in the blink of an eye
Most patients find themselves in a lifealtering situation after being diagnosed with osteoporosis. Choo Yem Kuen, president of Osteoporosis Awareness Society of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (OASKLS), retells the story of her father, who is currently living with osteoporosis.
“His life literally changed overnight. He lost his mobility and self-confidence, and now, to a certain extent, he is going through depression.” Choo’s father refused hip replacement surgery because of his fear of going under the knife and further dependency should the surgery be unsuccessful.
Now, Choo says her father thinks of himself as a burden to the family, and it affects his mentality towards life. “He used to go out for coffee with his friends and discuss various issues, but now he confines himself to the house. Because of the lack of interaction, he is more forgetful and less alert than before. We try to get him out of the house at least twice a week for dinner but he is reluctant and looks to head home as soon as possible after dinner.”
Choo notes that many people know of the financial cost and need for surgery and caregivers, but they often forget about the non-measurable impact osteoporosis has on the patient. Lifestyles are affected tremendously for the patient and loved ones, and it gets harder as the patient’s condition deteriorates.
Giving the right care
Being a caregiver for any patient is no easy feat, especially when both sides are going through a big change physically, emotionally and psychologically. Therefore, Choo advises her caregiver peers to be more sensitive and understanding when it comes to caring for the patient’s needs. “Sometimes, they may not be aware what they’re doing is wrong because they get sucked in emotionally and psychologically. Therefore, practising patience is important when it comes to caring for them.”
To help these patients regain a sense of normalcy, Datuk Dr Lee Joon Kiong, founder and vice-president of OASKLS, encourages caregivers to find ways to make the patient be more active, such as bringing them for recreational activities and to spend time with peers.
He says, “Locally, I think many families in Asian cultures prefer to keep their elderly members confined at home for the sake of their safety and the convenience of the caregivers. However, it is very unhealthy to isolate the patient and may lead to attention seeking or overbearing behaviours due to boredom. However, when the patient is allowed to go out for recreational activities and interact with people outside of her immediate circle, she feels more functional and independent. Besides, movement and exercise trains the muscles and bones as well, making them stronger.”