Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy for Long-Term Care launches new educational DVD to help improve osteoporosis and fracture prevention care

    TORONTO, Nov. 7 /CNW/ - Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy for Long-Term
Care (OOSLTC), jointly with Osteoporosis Canada, is pleased to report the
upcoming debut launch of a new educational tool for osteoporosis and fracture
prevention. This first-in-its class tool is presented in DVD format and is
aimed at serving caregivers within the long-term care sector.
    Osteoporosis is a serious condition that causes bones to become severely
thin and fragile and to break easily. It's a common and serious problem for
long-term care residents and a serious challenge for their caregivers. By
85 years of age, 85% of long-term care residents will suffer from
osteoporosis. The condition affects both men and women, with men usually
suffering more deformity and disability. Osteoporotic fractures present an
important care issue; thus, promoting bone health is crucial, as better bone
health is critical to reducing fractures, disability, pain, hospitalizations,
health complications, and death.
    On November 12, 2008, OOSLTC and Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou, Geriatrician
and Lead of the OOSLTC will introduce the DVD, entitled: "Meeting the
Challenge of Osteoporosis and Fracture Prevention." The event is hosted by
OOSLTC and celebrated by staff and residents at The Village of Wentworth
Heights, 1620 Upper Wentworth Street in Hamilton. Media members are welcome to
attend.
    This short DVD reviews several Bone Health Protection strategies that
caregivers can use to ensure that long-term care residents are receiving good
osteoporosis and fracture prevention care. Good osteoporosis and fracture
prevention care are vital to helping long-term care residents achieve a
quality of life that is as active as possible, and as enjoyable as possible,
for as long as possible.

    The specific Bone Health Protection Strategies discussed in this DVD
    include:

    -   Admission Assessment
    -   Fracture Assessment
    -   Daily Vitamin D and Calcium
    -   Osteoporosis Medications
    -   Hip Protectors
    -   Safe Transfers and Positioning

    About Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy for Long-Term Care

    The Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy for Long-Term Care focuses on improving
the quality of life for residents with osteoporosis and at risk of sustaining
a bone fracture. Osteoporosis is serious problem for long-term care residents
and a serious challenge for long-term care caregivers. Contrary to what is
believed, osteoporosis, not falls, is the number one cause of bone fractures
in long-term care homes.
    Although hip fractures are the most devastating type of osteoporotic
fracture, the most common fracture is a spinal fracture. Because of their
silent nature, spinal fractures often go unnoticed and as such, are
under-diagnosed in long-term care. Hip fractures can cause significant pain
and suffering and greatly reduce a resident's quality of life; 40% of
residents never return to their previous health. Fractures of the femur (hip)
are the major reason for hospitalizations among long-term care residents, and
they account for 25% of all older adult femur fracture admissions.
    Residents who have osteoporosis and have had a bone fracture are at high
risk for fracturing again. The Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy for Long-Term
Care is working with the Long-Term Care Sector to promote and implement
evidence-based osteoporosis and fracture prevention care strategies. Key
efforts are focused on:

    -   Educating long-term care staff and service providers regarding the
        appropriate management of osteoporosis and prevention of fractures;
        Promoting greater awareness and evidence-based care decisions
        regarding osteoporosis, falls and fracture prevention;
    -   Developing user-friendly and appropriate resources for long-term care
        staff and service providers
    -   Advancing the long-term care-focused osteoporosis, fracture
        prevention and falls knowledge base through research, literature
        reviews, surveys, publishing, presentations and collaborative
        partnerships.

    About Osteoporosis Canada

    Osteoporosis Canada, a registered charity, is the only national
organization serving people who have, or are at risk of, osteoporosis. The
organization works to educate, empower and support individuals and communities
in the risk-reduction and treatment of osteoporosis by providing medically
accurate information to patients, health professionals and the public.
1.4 million Canadians suffer from osteoporosis. One in four women and at least
one in eight men over the age of 50 has osteoporosis. However, the disease can
strike at any age. The cost of treating osteoporosis and the fractures it
causes is estimated to be $1.3 billion each year in Canada alone. Long term,
hospital and chronic care account for the majority of these costs. A national
voluntary Board of Directors governs the organization. A Scientific Advisory
Council made up of medical and scientific experts from across the country
provides guidance in all medical matters. For more information visit the
Osteoporosis Canada website at www.osteoporosis.ca

For further information: visit the Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy website
at www.osteostrategy.on.ca, or call Mary-Lou van der Horst, Project
Manager/LTC Nursing Consultant, (905) 541-0656