The likelihood of developing arthritis increases with age. Half of Canadians over 65 are currently living with some form of joint disease.
While it’s true that arthritis affects people at all stages of life, it puts older adults at risk for serious complications – such as frailty and falling – which can rob them of their autonomy and even shorten their lives.
Arthritis Research Canada’s scientists are adapting and testing programs and working on policy changes to put older adults in the driver’s seat when managing their arthritis and lowering their risk for complications. Here’s how:
Get Moving
In older adults, arthritis often coexists with frailty, including symptoms such as loss of muscle mass, weakness, weight loss, fatigue, and more. Between 40 and 50% of older adults living with osteoarthritis – a degenerative joint condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage – are physically frail. However, regular exercise can help prevent frailty.
“Our recent study showed that physical activity counselling by a physiotherapist can enable older adults with chronic conditions to stay active,” said Dr. Linda Li, a Senior Scientist at Arthritis Research Canada.
Dr. Li’s team is adapting the new Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for older adults at early stages of frailty who are living with chronic conditions like arthritis. These guidelines encourage daily physical activity while balancing appropriate sedentary behaviour and sleep time.
Prevent Falls
One in five older adults living in the community falls every year, and 10-15% of these falls result in injuries that require emergency department visits. Falls in older adults also account for 40% of nursing home admissions, which lead to a lack of independent living.
Physical activity is the most promising strategy for older adults to prevent falls. The Otago Exercise Program, in particular, has been proven to be effective.
“We know that the Otago Exercise Program works, but only if people do it,” said Dr. Li. “We also know that a lot of older adults who start with this program, for one reason or another, are not able to carry through the prescribed exercise as intended. We want to change this.”
Arthritis Research Canada’s scientists are developing and testing a new strategy for physiotherapists to better support older adults in continuing with the Otago Exercise Program over time.
Have Your Say
Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of joint replacement surgery. More than 100,000 hip and knee replacement surgeries are performed in Canada each year – most to people over 65 living with osteoarthritis. And wait times are long – often exceeding six months.
To tackle this burden on the health system and improve quality of care for older adults, Arthritis Research Canada’s scientists are considering two policies to address surgical wait times.
The first is a referral management policy that would give patients information about wait times for different surgeons and allow them to choose their preferred surgeon. The second would offer patients the choice of an evidence-based, conservative medical management program.
“Our study will look at whether patients would use this alternative program and how this varies based on things like cost,” said Dr. Deborah Marshall, a Senior Scientist at Arthritis Research Canada. “Depending on patient choices, both policies may shorten overall wait times, improve outcomes and reduce costs.”
To learn more about Arthritis Research Canada’s research and how it is helping people live well with arthritis, visit arthritisresearch.ca/arthritis-research-education-series/.
