MEDIA RELEASE 27 March 2008
Seniors Week free sessions aim to decrease medication problems
Council on the Ageing (COTA) peer educators are delivering free information sessions during Seniors Week April 6-13 to help seniors get to know their medicines and reduce the risk of medication-related problems. The sessions, delivered in partnership with National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS), help people choose if, when and how to use medicines to improve their health and well being.
“We know that approximately 140,000 people are hospitalised every year as a result of medication-related problems and more than half of these are preventable,” said NPS Community Quality Use of Medicines Manager, Hannah Baird.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy found that the risk of adverse drug events in elderly patients increased by 29% for every extra doctor they have. The survey showed that the elderly have an average of 2.9 doctors and 4.7 chronic medical conditions.
Around 70% of Australians take at least one prescription medicine or non-prescription medicine at any one time with medicine usage being more common among older people.
Another recent study conducted by the Sansom Institute from the University of South Australia concluded that in 2005 around 400,000 Australians aged 70 or over were prescribed at least one drug that is considered potentially harmful to the elderly.
COTA (ACT) executive director, Paul Flint, advises “This could be due to the fact that seniors don’t always feel confident discussing their medications with their doctors, and may forget to reveal everything a doctor needs to know about them. Knowing some tips like keeping medicines lists and discussing what you are taking with your doctor and pharmacist minimises chances of medication-related problems.”
Council on the Ageing has a network of peer educators around Australia who deliver free information sessions.
“We find trained seniors delivering the sessions to their senior peers, works well because of their shared experiences and concerns”, said Mr Flint.
The sessions are open to anyone over 50 and attract a high level of bookings from clubs, seniors and carers groups.
For more information about the sessions call COTA (ACT) on (02) 6282 377 and visit www.cota-act.org.au
For more information about medicines visit www.nps.org.au or call NPS Medicines Line 1300 888 763.
ENDS.
For further information and interviews contact:
Elayn James, Media Strategist, NPS on 0419 618 365 or [email protected]
Paul Flint, Executive Director, COTA (ACT) 0411 114 797 [email protected]
NPS and COTA organisations work in partnership, combining quality use of medicines expertise with an understanding of the needs and interests of seniors in Australia. NPS is an independent, Australian organisation for Quality Use of Medicines, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. COTA organisations have a pre-eminent role in representing, advocating and responding to the needs and interests of seniors throughout Australia.
