AGES Foundation Launches Community-Based Screening Initiative to Prevent Strokes Among Seniors
The AGES Foundation, in collaboration with Braver, Université Laval, the health and social services network and several community partners, has launched a new province-wide project to screen for atrial fibrillation (AF) directly in seniors’ homes and community settings. The goal is to prevent strokes by detecting the condition early and ensuring rapid follow-up.
The initiative builds on a community-driven approach that combines frontline outreach, clinical expertise and health technology. According to the Foundation, the model allows early detection outside emergency departments and facilitates quick referral to a physician without requiring complex steps for the patient.
The project uses the Québec-based Braver platform, certified by Santé Québec, which enables secure, real-time communication of medical information to health professionals.
Portable ECGs to Support Early Detection
The AGES Foundation reports that nearly 250 people have already been screened for atrial fibrillation in the Granit region, potentially preventing up to 10 percent of strokes that might have otherwise occurred without timely detection. A simple, low-cost portable ECG is used to identify irregular heart rhythms and support rapid clinical follow-up.
With support from the envisAGE initiative led by MEDTEQ+ and AGE-WELL, the Foundation plans to expand the project to four Québec regions over the next year. The first new deployment will begin in fall 2025 in Québec City’s Lower Town, where a social geriatrics program is already active. Navigators trained by the Foundation will incorporate AF screening into their visits with seniors, referring them to a physician when needed.
Similar community-based models in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Australia have doubled detection rates compared to traditional practices. The broader impact is significant, as every stroke avoided reduces major societal costs associated with hospitalization, rehabilitation and long-term care.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart arrhythmia, often without noticeable symptoms, but it significantly increases the risk of stroke. People living with AF are roughly five times more likely to experience one. Systematic screening using portable ECGs has emerged as an effective strategy to reduce this risk in aging populations.
According to Dr. Stéphane Lemire, internist-geriatrician and president of the AGES Foundation, the initiative demonstrates the benefits of coordinated action across the seniors’ health network. He said the project shows that it is possible to prevent severe outcomes when all actors work together and noted the potential positive effects both for seniors and for a health system facing significant pressures.
Braver president Marie-Lou Gagnon said the organization is “honoured to support this innovative initiative,” adding that the collaboration merges social innovation with technology to create a promising model of care for seniors. She highlighted the upcoming contribution of Université Laval’s research expertise in measuring the project’s impact.
