Increasing the knowledge, identification and treatment of osteoporosis through education and shared decision-making with residents living in a retirement village community

ObjectiveThis pilot study explored whether individual goal setting in a retirement village setting could improve strategies to strengthen bones in an ageing population and help prevent osteoporosis. MethodsA two-phased osteoporosis prevention program was developed, piloted and evaluated involving a group education session followed by the development of individualised Bone Plans based upon personal understanding of individual fracture risk and lifestyle factors. ResultsA significant improvement in knowledge and understanding of factors to prevent and manage osteoporosis was achieved, and changes in lifestyle behaviours were sustained at six months. ConclusionSuccess was due to education by specialist medical and health personnel, flexibility of goal setting, use of group sessions and location of the program within the retirement community setting. The Mind Your Bones' program is a feasible and acceptable way to translate preventative bone health messages to a large number of people via the retirement village network. Policy Impact: The 'Mind Your Bones' program piloted in the retirement village setting is a unique and sustainable option to translate osteoporosis and preventative bone health messages to the population group who are most at risk from this silent and potentially debilitating disease.