Parkinson's Caregivers: Why Bone Health Deserves a Spot on Your Radar

Parkinson's Caregivers: Why Bone Health Deserves a Spot on Your Radar

If you're supporting someone with Parkinson's, you already spend a lot of energy watching for the things that show up the tremor, the freezing, the slower movements. But there's something quieter happening in the background that deserves your attention too: bone health.

A new review just published in JAMA (highlighted by Dr. Michael Okun, one of the leading voices in Parkinson's care) is calling this out as an area that's consistently underestimated and I think it's important enough to bring straight to you.

What the Research Found

• Osteoporosis is about twice as common in people with Parkinson's, in both men and women — but it's rarely screened for as part of routine PD care.

• Hip fractures are a serious risk, and recovery afterward is genuinely difficult. The review pointed to a sobering one-year mortality rate following a hip fracture — this isn't something to treat casually.

• Parkinson's raises this risk from two directions at once: it can weaken bones directly, and it increases fall risk through balance and gait changes, reduced activity, and mobility challenges. Weaker bones plus more falls is the exact combination that leads to fractures.

• Calcium supplements alone are not enough. The research is direct about this — real prevention means actual screening and, when needed, active treatment, not just a supplement bottle in the cupboard.

Why This Matters for Your Role as a Caregiver

parkinsons-caregiver-fall-prevention-bone-health.jpg

You are often the person who notices things first a new wobble getting into the shower, a hesitation on the stairs, a "close call" that gets brushed off. You're also frequently the one keeping track of appointments and asking the questions that get missed in a rushed doctor's visit.

This is a place where your voice really matters. Bone density isn't something that gets checked automatically, and it's easy for it to fall through the cracks when so much of a Parkinson's appointment is focused on medication and motor symptoms.

What You Can Actually Do

You don't need to wait for a doctor to bring this up you're allowed to raise it yourselves. A few concrete steps:

1. Ask about a DXA (bone density) scan. If your loved one hasn't had one, or it's been years, this is worth requesting directly at the next appointment.

2. Ask what the actual fracture risk assessment showed — not just "are the bones okay," but what their personal risk level is.

3. Take a fresh look at your home for fall hazards — loose rugs, poor lighting on stairs, no grab bars in the bathroom, cords across walking paths. Small fixes here matter more than people expect.

4. Support (don't just permit) movement. Weight-bearing exercise and balance training genuinely help protect bones, not just steadiness. If mobility has become harder, this is a good moment to ask about a physiotherapy referral.

5. Keep a mental list of "close calls." Near-falls are information. If you're noticing more of them, that's worth mentioning at the next appointment even if nothing happened.

You're Not Overreacting

One thing I hear often from caregivers is a worry about being "that person" who's always bringing up extra concerns at appointments. This isn't that. Fracture risk in Parkinson's is a real, well-documented issue that's genuinely under-addressed in routine care you advocating for a bone density check isn't overstepping, it's exactly the kind of proactive support that changes outcomes.

Have questions about fall-proofing the home or want a referral for a physiotherapy assessment? Reach out to me directly, or connect with Tina — she handles our physiotherapy and personal training referrals and is LSVT BIG certified.

Take care of yourselves too:) this work is a lot, and you're doing an important part of it.

With care,

Christine

Source: Commentary by Dr. Michael Okun on a recent JAMA review of bone health in Parkinson's disease, shared via Parkinson's Insights.