Health experts regularly tout the benefits of exercise for improving brain health and mobility and to reduce falls and fractures in older adults. But for older adults, who may have health conditions or become weak after being in the hospital, rehabilitation and access to services in the community can be challenging.
These are issues the Geras Centre for Aging Research is working to solve. The centre focuses on developing models beyond the walls of the hospital to improve brain health and mobility and reduce falls and fractures. Geras, which is Greek for old age, is involved in several research initiatives focused on promoting exercise and rehabilitation as medicine and developing innovative approaches to care.
Geras is leading the first Canadian trial in frailty rehabilitation (called Optimal Fitness). Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the trial is for community-dwelling older adults who are at high risk for disability due to limited mobility. When COVID-19 restrictions began, the team mobilized in-person rehabilitation services to be delivered remotely, including virtual exercise sessions, nutrition counselling and medication consultations.
Another current project is PREVENT, which targets hip fractures among older adults residing in long-term care homes. This program aims to identify residents at highest risk of fracture and provide health care teams with training and tools for improving care. Meanwhile, Fit-Joints aims to improve post-surgical outcomes for frail older adults undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery through physiotherapist-supported exercise, dietary counselling, protein supplements and medication review.
Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation supports the training of new clinical researchers who are working on these important projects, developing new tools
and approaches and bringing fresh perspectives to tackle complex challenges related to aging.
“Trainees are the future of interdisciplinary aging research and care,” says Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou, Geras Centre for Aging Research Executive Director and Tier 1 Canadian Research Chair in Geriatric Medicine and Healthy Aging. “By providing them with opportunities to work on innovative projects, we are empowering the next generation of researchers from health sciences to engineering to make a significant impact on the lives of older adults and their families.”
