New P.E.I. health program helps older Islanders manage osteoporosis – CBC

Prevention program is aimed at helping older adults avoid future fractures

Aug 10, 2022

A new program at Charlottetown’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital is aimed at giving older Islanders who may be at risk of bone fractures, a better quality of life.

In January, the hospital launched its BreakFree fracture liaison service — the first of its kind in the province — for people over 50 who are at a higher risk for osteoporosis.

Ashley Poole is the program’s nurse practitioner.

“With older adults, the effect of the break can be more debilitating. Say if they broke their hip, some people stay in the hospital for a long period of time and some people don’t get to go home after they break their hip,” she said.

“It can be quite debilitating for the patient and their family.”

Through the fracture liaison service, Poole now works to identify potential candidates — those over the age of 50 who have previously broken a bone — and helps them start proper treatment. She then follows up as they heal.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-osteoporosis-program-1.6546485