Osteoporosis is condition where bones lose strength, making you more likely to break or fracture a bone than the average person. This break can be after a minor bump or fall. The disease effects people of all ages including children and is not just a disease of the elderly. It is known that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will suffer an osteoporotic fracture.
The most common osteoporotic fractures are of the wrist, spine and hip. It is known as the ‘Silent Disease’ as it does not cause any pain until the person fractures their wrist or hip. Spinal fractures are often painless and usually present as the person having a loss of height or marked curvature of the spine.
Living with osteoporosis means you are at higher risk of breaking a bone. But not everyone with osteoporosis goes on to break a bone. It’s not inevitable and it is treatable with changes in lifestyle and/or medication.
Please see below the Royal Osteoporosis Society’s web page for further information about the disease, risk factors, tests and treatments and the Guernsey Osteoporosis Support for local support and meetings.
To order ROS information pack or other publications, please call: 01761 471771 or email info@theros.org.uk
ROS Nurse helpline
The Royal Osteoporosis Society https://theros.org.uk has a telephone helpline run by their specialist Helpline nurses 01761 472721. Their email is nurses@theros.org.uk
The helpline is staffed by osteoporosis nurses and is available 9:00 – 12:30 and 1:30 – 17:00 on Monday-Friday.
Guernsey Support Group
The Guernsey Group https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/support-in-your-area/find-your-local-support-group/guernsey/ was founded in 1996. We offer support and information to those Islanders affected by osteoporosis and to anyone else who is interested in the subject.
Informal meetings are held throughout the year on a variety of osteoporosis related subjects; general interest talks; an annual walk etc or special event; and fund raising activities. Two lunches are held each year that provides an additional informal opportunity to meet other people affected by the disease.
Meetings are held at the Harold Collas Room, Vale Douzaine, Vale and start at 10.30am unless otherwise advertised.
Admission includes coffee, tea and biscuits. Visitors charge £2 and FREE to members (included in Local Annual Membership Fee of £10)
The Harold Collas room is at the rear of the building. There is plenty of parking on site and Route P2 bus passes the door. There is disabled access.
Very important: The Douzaine’s address is incorrectly identified on the Google map for the Support Group. Please see Perry’s P10 D1 for the correct location.
For Support Group information Tel. 01481 233088 or email: guernseyvolunteers@theros.org.uk
Guernsey Osteoporosis Support Programme 2024
Thursday 21st March – Nutrition and your bones, talk by Carol Champion. Starts at 11am.
Thursday 16th May – Guernsey Guided Walk
Thursday 4th July – Afternoon cream tea at Les Cotils and fundraising raffle
Thursday 19th September – Exercises to help your bones, balance and muscles by PEH physiotherapist
Thursday 21st November – Cardiac resuscitation by Cardiac Action Group
Thursday 5th December – Christmas Lunch at Les Cotils and fundraising raffle
For further information, telephone 01481 233088 or email guernseyvolunteers@ros.org.uk
