Osteopenia Support Groups

Osteopenia support groups are a way to meet others with the same condition. They are particularly helpful when first diagnosed and if you have been working at regaining bone for some time but do not see a lot of progress.

Some groups even do outreach and offer short talks at schools or community groups. Others distribute literature (fliers) or ask that brief informational notices be put in the bulletin of local out reach.

The following is the ONLY support group that has been submitted to me. (See: form below)

Osteopenia Support Groups - by country and/or postal code.

Australia:

South East Melbourne Osteoporosis Support Group

Contact: Carole Marshall +61395688727

Where: Meeting at Wadham House, Wadham Parade, Mount Waverley

When: Every 2 months, third Wednesday of the month, commencing in February - Mornings 10.15 to 12.15. After our meeting we adjourn for lunch and continue to enjoy a very sociable time.

Structure: We now have a membership of about 40 of whom 12 to 15 usually attend meetings. We managed to secure a grant this year for the first time, and this will help us to promote our group more widely in the South Eastern Suburbs. We do not charge a membership, but ask members for stamps to help with newsletter distribution. however this is not compulsory. More info? Contact Carole.

How to find a support group in your area:

1. If you have an Office of the Aging or Senior Center in your area, do contact the director to find out if there is an Osteopenia Support Group. (You can be 32 and still contact them. Do not be shy! ) There are often unadvertised programs available. If there is nothing available, you might ask if they would consider starting one.

I know that in the United States, for example, there is a government funded program that offers weekly classes of balance and weight bearing exercise called Senior Sneakers.

All that is needed is for someone to volunteer to lead such a class. The Program will teach volunteers how to lead a class, what moves to make AND the will supply the weights. Our local Office of the Aging director said that the only reason there was none in my town was that no one had ever offered to lead it.

If you have found one or two people and are wondering how to get the word out, do consider asking your health care provider if he or she would put up a notice for clients who come to the office. Or most local newspapers have a community events column.

Anyone else? Please use this form to send information if you have an Osteopenia or Osteoporosis support group in your area. ( I can publish 5-7 lines of text about your group. If the list gets long, entries will need to be be shortened.

If you do not see a group for your area, it is because I do not know of any. Again ask your health care provider or your local Office of the Aging.