The Arc applauds the introduction of the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (SSI Restoration Act) by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona), Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Senator Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts).

The SSI Restoration Act will bring welcome relief to the millions of Americans with disabilities and seniors who look to SSI as a lifeline that protects against extreme poverty. Unfortunately, key standards that affect important areas such as how much a SSI beneficiary can save or earn have not changed in decades.

The SSI Restoration Act will bring these standards up to date to better reflect the program’s original intent and strengthen SSI for extremely low income people with disabilities and seniors.

The SSI Restoration Act would update the SSI resource limits, to $10,000 for an individual or $15,000 for a couple — the amount they would be today if adjusted for inflation since 1989, the last time the resource limits were updated.

The bill would also update the general income disregard (to $112 per month) and the earned income disregard (to $364 per month) to the amounts they would be today if adjusted for inflation since 1972, the last time they were updated.

Finally, the bill would repeal the in-kind support and maintenance provision and repeal the SSI transfer penalty.

Osteoporosis prevention

Osteoporosis, a condition where an individual’s bones become increasingly brittle and fragile, is one of the most commonly diagnosed bone diseases in the U.S.

However, screening and diagnosis for individuals with disabilities are commonly overlooked. While screening for the general population usually starts later in life around age 65, individuals with disabilities should start being screened much earlier since the risk often comes at an earlier age.

Osteoporosis is a secondary condition that can be alleviated (and in some cases prevented) if proper treatment and screening measures are in place.

Osteoporosis usually affects women (especially postmenopausal) more than men. Women with specific disabilities that impair mobility are even more at risk to developing osteoporosis due to bone loss from immobility. Other lifestyle factors that can contribute to osteoporosis are:

•Low levels of calcium and vitamin D

•Smoking

•High levels of alcohol use

•Inactivity

•Small bone structure

•Frequent use of steroid treatments

Through the HealthMeet project we have found that the rate of falls for individuals with disabilities was three times higher than the rate for the general population. Falling can be particularly dangerous for an individual with osteoporosis, which can easily cause fractures and breaks that can lead to increased mobility issues and extensive hospital fees.

Making sure homes and organizations are set up to prevent falls will help to decrease the initial risk of falling.

Some steps to take to help prevent osteoporosis are:

•Exercise – especially weight bearing exercises to help build bone density

•Limit alcohol intake and avoid smoking

•Eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Ask your doctor if you should be taking calcium or vitamin D supplements

Screening for osteoporosis can be difficult due to the tests that are required for diagnosis. Individuals with disabilities may not be able to sit in the required position to obtain x-rays or may have a hard time lying still for the amount of time required for the tests. Primary care physicians need to be educated to screening alternatives such as ultrasound, and the importance of prioritizing prevention methods for individuals with disabilities.

Jamey Helgeson is the Program Director at The Arc Mower County and can be reached at jamey@thearcmc.org or by calling 507-433-8994, Extension 102.You can also visit our website (www.thearcmc.org) and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thearcmc).