Medicines and dementia: what you need to know
Medicines do not have to be part of your care plan for dementia, and if they are, they do not have to play a large role in your life.
NPS MedicineWise and Alzheimer’s Australia have prepared downloadable materials to help you ask questions and talk with people close to you and the health professionals involved in your care about how you would like to be supported.
The main resource is an information booklet, designed to help you:
Dementia: tips for good medicine management
Description:
If you have been diagnosed with dementia, good management of medicines can reduce your risk of medicine-related problems.
"When your doctor or pharmacist reviews your medicines, they will gather information about all your medicines, any problems you are having with your medicines, your current health and your treatment goals. Based on this information, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend changes to your medicines (such as stopping a medicine or changing the dose) and work with you to agree on a management plan for your medicines. A medicines review is also a good opportunity to learn more about your medicines and ask any questions you may have."
Date published: 21 March 2016
http://www.dementia.org.au/files/helpsheets/Helpsheet-AboutDementia09-DrugTreatmentsAndDementia_english.pdf
Cholinesterase inhibitors (such as donepezil, rivastigmine or galantamine) and memantine may be prescribed to individuals to offer some relief from the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The use of these medications is increasing, with approximately 20,000 people prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors yearly.
The development of the guideline is part of a project funded through the NHMRC Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre (CDPC), to help determine how to manage medicines in people with dementia better in the future. The guideline was developed by The University of Sydney, in conjunction with the Bruyère Research Institute (Canada), and can be accessed by clicking here.
March 6th, 2018
Medicines and Dementia - What YOU need to know.
NPS MedicineWise (NPS) have created a valuable resource which discusses dementia and medicine.
Download these resources at https://www.dementia.org.au/resources/medicines-and-dementia-what-you-need-to-know
Q&A
01 Drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease - Cholinesterase inhibitors
02 PBS subsidies for cholinesterase inhibitors what are the conditions?
03 Drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease - Memantine
04 Drugs used to relieve behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
05 Risperidone for treatment of behavioural symptoms in dementia
06 Mental exercise and dementia
07 What you eat and drink and your brain
08 Physical exercise and dementia
09 Safer walking for people with dementia approaches and technologies
10 Tests used in diagnosing dementia
11 Diagnostic criteria for dementia
12 Genetics of dementia
13 Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
14 Vascular Cognitive Impairment
15 Depression and dementia
16 Pain and dementia
17 Brain donation
18 Rights to health information
19 Aluminium and Alzheimer's disease
20 Anaesthesia for older people and people with dementia
21 Delirium and dementia
22 Preventing financial abuse of people with dementia
23 Souvenaid
24 Anticholinergic drugs
25 Benzodiazepines
Pharmacist review, home checks part of medication strategy for people with dementia
By: Dallas Bastian in News, Top Stories August 4, 2017
Australian researchers are hoping to improve outcomes for people with dementia after they are discharged from hospital through a medication strategy that starts in the lead-up to discharge and continues into the home.
Associate professor Ashley Kable, from the University of Newcastle, said medication generally changes for people once they’ve been treated in hospital, which makes self-administration even harder for people with dementia, and added the responsibility often falls back on carers.
Kable said currently, home medication reviews can be requested by a general practitioner following a patient’s discharge from hospital, but are not always done. She said the safe medication strategy will include clinical pharmacist review of medications and communication with the carer, training in hospital to use medication dose administration aids and provision of a discharge medication plan and explanation.
The discharge summary will include a note for general practitioners to request a home medicines review. These will be conducted by community pharmacists who will aim to identify any prescribed medications that may be a risk for people with dementia, such as those that may cause confusion or result in falls, any potential drug interactions or contraindicated medications, any adjuvant medications being used in addition to prescribed medications that may be a risk, and any modifications to medications that may be required for a person with dementia.
SO, when your loved one is discharged from hospital, do make sure to go to your usual Pharmacist and ask for a Home Medicines Review. Many of the usual medications may have been changed, upped in dosage, or Brand altered in the hospital. YOU need to know as the result can be most serious for your loved one. YOU, as a Carer, can do this. Alternatively, have a chat with your loved one's GP and have him write a note to your Pharmacist to do this.
How the pharmacist can simplify a dosing schedule during an Home Medicines Review:
• Reduce dosing frequency and recommend long-acting dosage forms where possible
• Recommend a higher strength to reduce the number of dosage units for a specific medicine where two tablets of the same medicine are taken at different times in a day
• Recommend a lower strength product where the person is cutting tablets in half or into quarters
• Consolidate dosing times to fit in with the patient’s lifestyle
• Recommend a combination product if suitable to reduce the number of medicines being used
• Recommend a suitable adherence aid for the patient with cognitive or dexterity issues
for a closer look:
https://www.veteransmates.net.au/documents/10184/38810/Nov_2016_GP_Insert.pdf/e9b3126e-bf0e-4238-bd74-8cdd617458d0
"With the focus on medicines and older Australians in these lists, we urge people to consider if they are on the right medicine, or whether they could be taking too many medicines and if you are due for a review. It’s always timely to check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any medicines are unnecessary and if they could cause harm if taken together."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --
My Health Record:
Individuals have a number of mechanisms available to them to manage the content of, and to control access to, their and/or their dependent's My Health Record(s).
These include - Limiting access
Access to the record or documents can be changed to restrict access to information they consider sensitive.
What is in My Health Record?
By default, when an individual registers for a My Health Record they give standing consent for all registered healthcare provider organisations to access and upload information to their My Health Record. Learn more here.
Every time your My Health Record is accessed, it is recorded in an audit log which you can view by logging into your My Health Record. The System Operator cyber security team constantly monitors system access. There are strict penalties for unlawful access. If you have concerns about who has accessed your My Health Record, contact us immediately on 1800 723 471.
07 September 2018
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dementia Q&A:
01 Drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease - Cholinesterase inhibitors
02 PBS subsidies for cholinesterase inhibitors what are the conditions?
03 Drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease - Memantine
04 Drugs used to relieve behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
05 Risperidone for treatment of behavioural symptoms in dementia
06 Mental exercise and dementia
07 What you eat and drink and your brain
08 Physical exercise and dementia
09 Safer walking for people with dementia approaches and technologies
10 Tests used in diagnosing dementia
11 Diagnostic criteria for dementia
12 Genetics of dementia
13 Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
14 Vascular Cognitive Impairment
15 Depression and dementia
16 Pain and dementia
17 Brain donation
18 Rights to health information
19 Aluminium and Alzheimer's disease
20 Anaesthesia for older people and people with dementia
21 Delirium and dementia
22 Preventing financial abuse of people with dementia
23 Souvenaid
24 Anticholinergic drugs
25 Benzodiazepines
Disclaimer and advice
Alzheimer’s Australia is responsible for the content of these Help Sheets. These publications provide a general summary only of the subject matter covered. People should seek professional advice about their specific case. Alzheimer’s Australia is not liable for any error or omission in these publications.
Contact page: https://www.dementia.org.au/contact-us
Dementia Australia is a unified, national peak body for people of all ages, living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers.
Other conditions with dementia
People with dementia may experience other medical problems or conditions that may or not be related to dementia. Each person is different, and the way these medical problems are managed might be different from the way they would be managed for someone who does not have dementia. Do check with their Doctor.
Tip: Always go in to the Doctor's with your loved one, especially if they are male. Patient's are often Most Reluctant to 'speak up' about what is Really Going With Them...
19 October 2018
Medicines do not have to be part of your care plan for dementia, and if they are, they do not have to play a large role in your life.
NPS MedicineWise and Alzheimer’s Australia have prepared downloadable materials to help you ask questions and talk with people close to you and the health professionals involved in your care about how you would like to be supported.
The main resource is an information booklet, designed to help you:
- plan a conversation about dementia with the people you choose, for example, your family and friends and health professionals involved in your care (eg, GPs, pharmacists, specialists, nurses)
- find out about advanced care planning
- find out what support is available to manage your symptoms
- find information on what treatment options may be best for you
- record details about symptoms, medicines, values and wishes when it comes to your care
- find out about support services available to help you and those closest to you
Dementia: tips for good medicine management
Description:
If you have been diagnosed with dementia, good management of medicines can reduce your risk of medicine-related problems.
"When your doctor or pharmacist reviews your medicines, they will gather information about all your medicines, any problems you are having with your medicines, your current health and your treatment goals. Based on this information, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend changes to your medicines (such as stopping a medicine or changing the dose) and work with you to agree on a management plan for your medicines. A medicines review is also a good opportunity to learn more about your medicines and ask any questions you may have."
Date published: 21 March 2016
http://www.dementia.org.au/files/helpsheets/Helpsheet-AboutDementia09-DrugTreatmentsAndDementia_english.pdf
Cholinesterase inhibitors (such as donepezil, rivastigmine or galantamine) and memantine may be prescribed to individuals to offer some relief from the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The use of these medications is increasing, with approximately 20,000 people prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors yearly.
The development of the guideline is part of a project funded through the NHMRC Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre (CDPC), to help determine how to manage medicines in people with dementia better in the future. The guideline was developed by The University of Sydney, in conjunction with the Bruyère Research Institute (Canada), and can be accessed by clicking here.
March 6th, 2018
Medicines and Dementia - What YOU need to know.
NPS MedicineWise (NPS) have created a valuable resource which discusses dementia and medicine.
Download these resources at https://www.dementia.org.au/resources/medicines-and-dementia-what-you-need-to-know
Q&A
01 Drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease - Cholinesterase inhibitors
02 PBS subsidies for cholinesterase inhibitors what are the conditions?
03 Drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease - Memantine
04 Drugs used to relieve behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
05 Risperidone for treatment of behavioural symptoms in dementia
06 Mental exercise and dementia
07 What you eat and drink and your brain
08 Physical exercise and dementia
09 Safer walking for people with dementia approaches and technologies
10 Tests used in diagnosing dementia
11 Diagnostic criteria for dementia
12 Genetics of dementia
13 Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
14 Vascular Cognitive Impairment
15 Depression and dementia
16 Pain and dementia
17 Brain donation
18 Rights to health information
19 Aluminium and Alzheimer's disease
20 Anaesthesia for older people and people with dementia
21 Delirium and dementia
22 Preventing financial abuse of people with dementia
23 Souvenaid
24 Anticholinergic drugs
25 Benzodiazepines
Pharmacist review, home checks part of medication strategy for people with dementia
By: Dallas Bastian in News, Top Stories August 4, 2017
Australian researchers are hoping to improve outcomes for people with dementia after they are discharged from hospital through a medication strategy that starts in the lead-up to discharge and continues into the home.
Associate professor Ashley Kable, from the University of Newcastle, said medication generally changes for people once they’ve been treated in hospital, which makes self-administration even harder for people with dementia, and added the responsibility often falls back on carers.
Kable said currently, home medication reviews can be requested by a general practitioner following a patient’s discharge from hospital, but are not always done. She said the safe medication strategy will include clinical pharmacist review of medications and communication with the carer, training in hospital to use medication dose administration aids and provision of a discharge medication plan and explanation.
The discharge summary will include a note for general practitioners to request a home medicines review. These will be conducted by community pharmacists who will aim to identify any prescribed medications that may be a risk for people with dementia, such as those that may cause confusion or result in falls, any potential drug interactions or contraindicated medications, any adjuvant medications being used in addition to prescribed medications that may be a risk, and any modifications to medications that may be required for a person with dementia.
SO, when your loved one is discharged from hospital, do make sure to go to your usual Pharmacist and ask for a Home Medicines Review. Many of the usual medications may have been changed, upped in dosage, or Brand altered in the hospital. YOU need to know as the result can be most serious for your loved one. YOU, as a Carer, can do this. Alternatively, have a chat with your loved one's GP and have him write a note to your Pharmacist to do this.
How the pharmacist can simplify a dosing schedule during an Home Medicines Review:
• Reduce dosing frequency and recommend long-acting dosage forms where possible
• Recommend a higher strength to reduce the number of dosage units for a specific medicine where two tablets of the same medicine are taken at different times in a day
• Recommend a lower strength product where the person is cutting tablets in half or into quarters
• Consolidate dosing times to fit in with the patient’s lifestyle
• Recommend a combination product if suitable to reduce the number of medicines being used
• Recommend a suitable adherence aid for the patient with cognitive or dexterity issues
for a closer look:
https://www.veteransmates.net.au/documents/10184/38810/Nov_2016_GP_Insert.pdf/e9b3126e-bf0e-4238-bd74-8cdd617458d0
"With the focus on medicines and older Australians in these lists, we urge people to consider if they are on the right medicine, or whether they could be taking too many medicines and if you are due for a review. It’s always timely to check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any medicines are unnecessary and if they could cause harm if taken together."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --
My Health Record:
Individuals have a number of mechanisms available to them to manage the content of, and to control access to, their and/or their dependent's My Health Record(s).
These include - Limiting access
- Limiting access to the whole of their record and having a Record Access Code that needs to be given to healthcare provider organisations who they wish to grant access and/or;
- Limiting access to specific documents in their My Health Record, and having a Document Access Code to give to select healthcare provider organisations for them to gain access to the restricted set of documents;
- Turning off automatic checking for a My Health Record, which will prevent a healthcare provider organisation being automatically notified via their local clinical software if a person has a record.
Access to the record or documents can be changed to restrict access to information they consider sensitive.
What is in My Health Record?
By default, when an individual registers for a My Health Record they give standing consent for all registered healthcare provider organisations to access and upload information to their My Health Record. Learn more here.
Every time your My Health Record is accessed, it is recorded in an audit log which you can view by logging into your My Health Record. The System Operator cyber security team constantly monitors system access. There are strict penalties for unlawful access. If you have concerns about who has accessed your My Health Record, contact us immediately on 1800 723 471.
07 September 2018
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dementia Q&A:
01 Drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease - Cholinesterase inhibitors
02 PBS subsidies for cholinesterase inhibitors what are the conditions?
03 Drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease - Memantine
04 Drugs used to relieve behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
05 Risperidone for treatment of behavioural symptoms in dementia
06 Mental exercise and dementia
07 What you eat and drink and your brain
08 Physical exercise and dementia
09 Safer walking for people with dementia approaches and technologies
10 Tests used in diagnosing dementia
11 Diagnostic criteria for dementia
12 Genetics of dementia
13 Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
14 Vascular Cognitive Impairment
15 Depression and dementia
16 Pain and dementia
17 Brain donation
18 Rights to health information
19 Aluminium and Alzheimer's disease
20 Anaesthesia for older people and people with dementia
21 Delirium and dementia
22 Preventing financial abuse of people with dementia
23 Souvenaid
24 Anticholinergic drugs
25 Benzodiazepines
Disclaimer and advice
Alzheimer’s Australia is responsible for the content of these Help Sheets. These publications provide a general summary only of the subject matter covered. People should seek professional advice about their specific case. Alzheimer’s Australia is not liable for any error or omission in these publications.
Contact page: https://www.dementia.org.au/contact-us
Dementia Australia is a unified, national peak body for people of all ages, living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers.
Other conditions with dementia
People with dementia may experience other medical problems or conditions that may or not be related to dementia. Each person is different, and the way these medical problems are managed might be different from the way they would be managed for someone who does not have dementia. Do check with their Doctor.
Tip: Always go in to the Doctor's with your loved one, especially if they are male. Patient's are often Most Reluctant to 'speak up' about what is Really Going With Them...
19 October 2018