Maintaining health during ageing is key to ensuring that older individuals are able to actively participate and continue to contribute to society. On International Day of Older Persons, the Guild is highlighting the role of community pharmacy in supporting older people.
"Celebrating the contributions of our older Australians is incredibly important" said Professor Trent Twomey National President Pharmacy Guild of Australia. "Community pharmacists are the most accessible frontline healthcare provider and we will often see patients pop in needing treatment or to ask a question. We're working every day to help people stay healthy and live independently for as long as possible."
Many community pharmacies provide services that can help people as they age with their health, such as:
- Medication Management Reviews (MMRs) Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs) and MedsChecks to resolve issues and ensure the safe and optimal use of medicines to improve outcomes.
- Dose Administration Aids (DAAs) like blister packs to ensure the right dose is taken at the right time, minimise inadvertent missed doses and to support safe and consistent medication use.
- Continence Support, including supply and advice on continence products, managing side effects of medications that impact bladder or bowel function, and referrals when needed to other service providers.
- Vaccination services like flu, covid-19, shingles and pneumococcal disease
- Preventive health providing information and advice to help people manage their weight or to assist with nicotine dependence and smoking cessation
- Patient and mobility aids supplying people with mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers and canes as well as other patient aid products that can help patients stay mobile and active
- Health screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and bone density
- Pre-travel advice for recommended vaccinations, medications, first aid and travel health essentials
- Scripts-on-File to secure storage of paper scripts for convenience and continuity
- Safety Net management to support with tracking and managing PBS Safety Net threshold
"Pharmacists are trusted, accessible health professionals who play a vital role in helping older Australians manage their health, maintain independence, and live well in their communities" Twomey continued.
"Whether it's dispensing medicines, providing vaccinations, offering health checks or managing chronic conditions, pharmacists are delivering more services than ever before. Community pharmacies are playing an important role in creating healthier communities."
With over 6,000 community pharmacies nationwide, Australians are never far from the health advice and care they need. In rural and remote areas, pharmacists are often the most readily available health professional, helping to relieve pressure on GPs and hospitals while ensuring continuity of care, particularly for older patients.
