Help and support

The National Osteoporosis Society is the only UK-wide national charity dedicated to improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

Social care support

If you break a bone or are suffering from collapse of vertebrae in your spine as a result of osteoporosis, you may find it difficult, at least initially, to manage everyday tasks such as getting dressed or preparing a meal.

If a broken bone results in a stay in hospital, you can ask your local social services to assess the help you need at home before you leave or, if you are not admitted to hospital, they can visit you at home. Social services can arrange assistance for you and for the loan of aids to make tasks easier, although there may be a charge.

If you break your hip, a specialist team of falls nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists are likely to be involved before and after you leave hospital. They can help you regain your confidence and independence and suggest how you can reduce your risk of having another fall.

Financial support

If you need long-term help with personal care or watching over to make sure you are all right, you may be eligible to claim Disability Living Allowance if you are under 65, or Attendance Allowance if you are 65 and over. Both are non means-tested benefits. You can find out more about these and other benefits you may be eligible to claim in the guide More money in your pocket or by calling Age UK on 0800 169 6565.

Further information

Directgov
www.direct.gov.uk
This government website has useful information under the headings ‘money, tax and benefits’ and ‘caring for someone’.

National Osteoporosis Society (NOS)
The NOS is dedicated to improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and offers a wide range of services to people who are concerned about osteoporosis. It also has a helpline that’s open from 9am-5pm from Monday to Friday: 0845 450 0230
www.nos.org.uk

NICE
Technical appraisals of drugs to prevent fractures in post menopausal women
TA160 Alendronate, etidronate, risedronate, raloxifene and strontium ranelate for the primary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in post menopausal women.
www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/TA160

TA161 Alendronate, etidronate, risedronate, raloxifene strontium ranelate and teriparatide for secondary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in post menopausal women.
www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/TA161

Look on the website for the patient version of the Guidance, under the heading 'Guideline for patients and carers'.