Osteoporosis Long Term Care Website

This site was created as part of the Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy in collaboration with Osteoporosis Canada and other partners to provide meaningful and useful information as well as the latest research and best care practices to improve the bone health of older adults.

The site will share the stories of care providers, people and places who work to improve the bone health of older adults in long-term care homes and their communities.
http://osteoporosislongtermcare.ca/

Rise in Use of Common Osteporosis Drugs Among Canadian Seniors

The number of Canadian seniors using a common drug therapy to prevent bone deterioration due to osteoporosis increased significantly over the past six years, but a new study shows men are far less likely than women to be using the drugs.

The study, published today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), examines trends in public drug claims among seniors for bisphosphonates, a class of drugs used to treat osteoporosis and prevent fractures.

The study looked at the drug claims of more than one million seniors from six provinces—Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=media_2009_02_12_e

Educational DVD on Osteoporis and Fracture Prevention in Long-Term Care Launched

The Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy for Long-Term Care (OOSLTC) has produced a short DVD and a resource kit to ensure long-term care residents are receiving effective osteoporosis and fracture prevention care.

The DVD, entitled “Meeting the Challenge of Osteoporosis and Fracture Prevention,” was launched Nov. 12 in Hamilton, and ntroduced by geriatrician and OOSLTC lead Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou.

Good osteoporosis and fracture prevention care are vital to helping long-term care residents achieve a quality of life that is as active and enjoyable for as long as possible.

The DVD also comes with a resource kit to aid implementation of the bone health protection strategies.

Beginning in 2009, area managers for Osteoporosis Canada in Ontario will contact every long-term care home in the province to arrange a visit to deliver the DVD and the resource kit to the homes and provide implementation assistance. The OOSLTC has also submitted as research proposal to McMaster University to study what impact the DVD has on knowledge uptake and the use of that knowledge in day-to-day operations.

The cost of the DVD is $20 for other organizations and is available via e-mail osteoltc@osteoporosis.ca. For more information on the OOSLTC, visit their website at http://www.osteostrategy.on.ca.