In Greece, there are 99,000 new fragility fractures every year. This figure is projected to increase by 22% by 2034 to 121,000 cases annually. Currently, fragility fractures represent a direct annual cost of almost €1 billion, which equates to 6.2% of total health expenditure.
In light of Greece’s ageing population, the “Guide to Functional Independence and Wellbeing after an Osteoporotic Fracture” project addresses patients’ need to retain their autonomy after a fragility fracture by closing the observed post-discharge care gaps.
The project has multiple objectives: providing hip-fracture patients with the support they need to remain functionally independent, developing a Care Guide which will be available nationwide, and educating health professionals, caregivers and patients in the management of fragility fractures.
The project’s actions include:
- Conducting a study researching patients’ post-discharge educational and communication needs
- Creating a patient-friendly Guide to Care following a hip fracture, to be made available nationwide in both print and digital formats
- Running on-line and interactive seminars/workshops in Athens and Patras for health professionals, patients and caregivers
- Staging an open awareness event on Fragility Fractures.
The project is implemented by the “Butterfly” Bone Health Society in collaboration with the Hellenic Fragility Fracture Network in the framework of the Thematic Grants Programme for Healthy Ageing, with the support of the Bodossaki Foundation, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and the TIMA Charitable Foundation.