Grant: Summer Program in Aging

Broken bones or fractures cause pain, difficulty walking around, loss of independence and quality of life for older adults and can even lead to death. Older individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of bone loss and fractures, yet bone fragility remains overlooked in diabetes care. Exercise can prevent bone and muscle loss, improve metabolic health, and is a proven strategy for falls prevention, however older adult participation in exercise known to prevent falls and fractures (e.g., strength and balance exercise) is low. In this two-phase project we will work with a group of stakeholders (e.g., research team, patient partners, health care professionals) to design and evaluate a diabetes-specific bone health and exercise education program for older adults. Phase 1 includes multiple meetings with the working group over a 4-month period to review patient needs, obtain feedback, and brainstorm. The education program will be developed and tailored based on input from these meetings. In phase 2, ten participants (5 T1D and 5 T2D) will be recruited and complete the program remotely. Each participant will provide their feedback using questionnaires. Finally, the study team will conduct interviews with both the deliverers and participants of the program to assess their satisfaction. This study will advance knowledge and practice related to bone health management in diabetes, and improve the quality of life in older adults through the creation of a person-centred education program focused on safe and effective exercise to prevent falls and fractures.