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Being aware of the risks of Pharmacists embedded in their
polypharmacy is important, as well as communities are also in a great
encouraging older people to routinely position to provide tailored support
have a structured medicines review to help older people stay as well as
with their GP. Age UK’s report ‘More possible; whether that’s encouraging
harm than good’ is a good place someone to take part in regular
to start to understand more about exercise, eat a balanced diet or
polypharmacy and what can be done cut down on smoking and alcohol
to address the issues it raises. consumption. They can offer support
In March this year, The Health to older people who are living with
Innovation Network published The frailty, who are at risk of malnutrition or
mechanics of tackling overprescribing falling, or who may be socially isolated
and problematic polypharmacy. or lonely. As a group regularly in close
The guide covers evidence-based contact with older people, they should
measures that must be taken by local be in a position to adapt their services
services to address over-prescribing to cognitive decline or other similar
and ensure everyone is on the right symptoms and as trusted voices in
medicines for them. It includes links to the community to have information at
further resources to support people hand on conditions such as dementia
to plan for their medicines review, to offer to older people, their friends
rooted in shared decision-making and and families.
helping people to think about their The winter may seem far away in the
goals for care. Community pharmacies summer months, but preparing now will
are ideally placed to champion these help the pharmacy sector to be in the
approaches and we would encourage best place possible to support people
local practitioners to read and make when it comes around. Winter weather
use of the guide. can make it harder for older people
Pharmacists play an extremely to get out and about, so providing
important role in supporting older prescription and medication delivery
people’s health, not just in dispensing services where this is possible will
and providing advice on medicines and support many older people who may not
over the counter products, but also by be able to physically get to a pharmacy.
helping them to manage their health We know that some older people worry
conditions and by providing friendly about troubling busy local health
reassurance. Often, the local pharmacy services but it's always sensible to
is closer to older people’s homes and seek early medical advice. Pharmacists
easier to get to than their GP surgery, can offer clinical advice and over-the-
making it a really valuable first port of counter medicines for a range of minor
call. In light of this, the Government illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore
should be doing more to address the throats, tummy trouble and aches and
apparent decline in their numbers, pains and importantly, they know how
particularly in places where they are to spot the signs of more serious illness
needed the most. and can refer people to a doctor or other
The pandemic prompted a step change suitable health care professional for a
towards the use of digital forms of check-up or for treatment if necessary.
communication in general practice, Community pharmacies are often an
which is working well for some but accessible place for older people to
by no means all. This is where a local go to for support with their health and
pharmacist can help as they are ideally wellbeing. Being able to give their time
placed to offer valuable local support and expertise is valuable in supporting
and face to face information to older someone who is isolated – a friendly
people. As well as advising on common and helpful conversation can go a long
ailments, aids and medications they way. Being aware of or having to hand
can also help people access the right information about other local services
services at the right time. that may support someone who is
isolated and lonely can also help.
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