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Medicines and Older People

Learn how aging affects medication needs, support older adults with medication administration, and recognize changes affecting their ability to take medicines. Topics include eye sight, memory loss, mobility challenges, compliance aids, falls prevention, and mental health.

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Medicines and Older People

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  1. Medicines and Older People • Understand that the aging process can affect the medication needs of the older person • Know how to make administration of medicines easier for older people • Understand how to provide support for Older people

  2. What changes do you often see in the older people that can affect their ability to take their medicines? • Eye sight –difficulty/inability to read label • Hearing – didn’t hear what the doctor said • Memory loss – forget whether they have taken medication, or what was said about it • Dry mouth – not as easy to swallow or chew chalky tablets • Dexterity – can’t open bottles

  3. Changes in the Body • Kidneys and liver – metabolism / excretion of medicines • Increased side-effects • Constipation and bladder weakness • Heart • Diabetes – loss of feeling in extremities • Arthritis – dexterity problems – eye dropper aids • Reduced immune system

  4. Depression • Withdrawal from society • Loss of loved ones • Isolation • May need reminded to care for themselves and to take their medication

  5. Constipation and Bladder problems • Encourage mobility and exercise where possible • Encourage adequate fluid intake – reassure if bladder weakness is a problem • Laxatives should be reviewed regularly – over-use can make it worse.

  6. Activity 24 Page 67 of workbook

  7. Falls • Risk of falls in the elderly is higher • Medication – refer to pharmacist if dizziness is a side effect • Gait – refer to GP for Physio assessment if help is needed • Risk of broken bones • Alcohol risks

  8. What are Compliance Aids? • Special grippers to help open bottles • Magnifying glasses or large print labels • Aids for eye drops and inhalers • MDS ( Dosette) box

  9. Activity 25 Page 69 of workbook

  10. MCQ’s

  11. What happens next? • Evaluation of training to be completed before you leave and handed to trainer. • Your supervisor will arrange for a competency assessment to be carried out in your workplace.

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