senior health
Arthritis isn’t just a condition affecting older people, it likely starts much earlier
Arthritis isn’t just a condition affecting older people, it likely starts much earlier Flavia Cicuttini, Monash University This article is part of our series on older people’s health. It looks …
World news update: 19 January 2017
We take a look at pharmacy news from around the world Boston, Massachusetts: The trial of Barry Cadden, the compounding pharmacist facing charges of murder, mail fraud and racketeering, has …
SA project to tackle antibiotic use in aged care
Southern Cross Care is aiming to help improve the use of antibiotics in some of its aged care facilities with a project led by leading pharmacists Southern Cross has partnered …
Tackling the ‘prescribing cascade’ in seniors
Older Australians may not be aware that they are on a ‘prescribing cascade’, where they take one medicine and have an adverse reaction, so are put on another medicine, says …
Prescribing social activities doesn’t achieve aims
“Social prescribing” of activities like cooking or gardening has failed to improve patient health or cut GP visits, a pilot scheme evaluation has found. Pulsetoday reports that the study examined …
Senior jabs neglected, but pharmacy can help
With so much focus on encouraging parents to vaccinate their children, senior Australians have been neglected when it comes to immunisation, say experts. But pharmacists can have a significant role …
Immune link to dementia
University of Adelaide researchers have developed a new theory for the causes of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases, involving an out-of-control immune system. Published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience, …
Pharmacists can identify pneumococcal pneumonia risk
Pharmacists can help make senior customers aware of their risk of contracting pneumococcal pneumonia, says the Lung Foundation, particularly given pharmacy’s growing role in flu prevention. The Foundation is urging …
Clinical tips: is reducing hypertension always appropriate?
Is it always best practice to reduce blood pressure? writes Ben Basger The decision to treat someone for hypertension should be based on their cardiovascular risk ─ that is, the …
Veterans: why can’t pharmacists initiate the services process?
Where GP services are limited or lacking, why can’t pharmacists start getting ex-servicemen and women the help they need? wonders Karalyn Huxhagen It always astounds me, when speaking with patients …
Medicines and dementia a key issue
Alzheimer’s Australia and NPS MedicineWise have launched a campaign to educate and empower people living with a diagnosis of dementia—and the people involved in their care—about their rights when it …
Clinical tips: falls explained
Pharmacists can help identify patients at risk of serious injury from falls, writes Ben Basger Falls may result in serious injury. For example, 12 months after a hip fracture in …