11 minute read
Me dication checkup
Checkup! Medication
by Dr Samantha Pethen
About 2/5ths of Australians, aged over 50…and 2/3rds of Australians aged over 75 years old, take five or more medications every day. Older Australians taking five or more medications are twice as likely to report a side effect or other medication problem.
This is true if they are prescription, over the counter, or complementary or herbal medications. Approximately 1/3 of all hospital admissions in those over 65 are related to medication, and half of these could be prevented.
As we age, our bodies change, for example, by how much water, fat and muscle we have. We may become more sensitive to medication, or our bodies may not process them as efficiently. We may also develop issues with vision or memory that can make managing medicines much harder.
To make managing your medicines easier and safer, I would like to share with you a five point medication health check! 1 Check in with your doctor
Make sure you see your doctor every 6 months, or as directed. Your doctor
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Brisbane Waters Private Hospital 21 Vidler Avenue Woy Woy NSW, 2256 Phone: 02 4341 9522 Email: brisbanewaters@healthecare.com.au Web: brisbanewatersprivate.com.au
is likely to have considered your age and other medications you are taking, but it does no harm to be sure and ask questions. Feel comfortable writing your questions down, so you don’t forget them. 2 Make a medications list
Write down all the medication you use, including prescription, and non prescription, over the counter, minerals, herbal and natural medicines. Record what each medication is for, when and how you take it, including the dose. Be aware of what they look like, and any other names they may have (generic vs. trade name). You can print out a list template, or download a medicines list app for your smartphone, on the NPS. This may be invaluable to have on your person in an emergency. 3 Request a Home Medications Review
The Home Medications Review program (HMR) may help you manage your medicines. You may benefit from one if you take five or more tablets a day y ou take 12 or more doses of medication a day you have difficulty managing your own medication, for example, due to low vision you have recently been discharged from hospital you are confused or concerned about your medication .
This will be coordinated by your GP. An accredited pharmacist will visit your home to review your medication with you and explore any concerns or issues you may have. Your GP will then discuss these findings with you, and, together you will develop a medication management plan. 4 Consider using equipment to help
There are many things on the market designed to make it easier to take medication. Some are designed for specific tasks, such as cutting or crushing tablets, others can help overcome weak or arthritic hands, helping to open medication bottles.
You can purchase dosing boxes that you or a carer can fill with your tablets, to help you not miss a dose. Or for a fee, your pharmacist can make up a blister pack (WebsterTM pack) to help you keep track of when you should be taking your medication. 5 Dispose of unwanted medication properly Having out of date, or medication you no longer need or take, can be very confusing, and can contribute to medication errors. They must be returned to your pharmacist, who will dispose of them using the Return Unwanted Medicines Scheme. This makes sure they are disposed of safely, without harming the environment, people, or pets, and helps to make your home safer.
Following these pointers will go some way to reducing the chances of running into problems relating to medication use. For more information on your medication, advice on how to use them well and other practical tools, visit the NPS Medicine Wise website.
Dr Pethen is a GP at your Family Doctors at Erina, a doctors surgery that aims to deliver high quality care with a personal touch, find them at www.yourfamilydovtors.com.au or phone 4365 4999
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Moving made easy
When it comes to moving house, mixed emotions are often involved. There is the excitement of moving to a home you’ve chosen that suits your stage of life, and the anticipation of the lifestyle that comes with that move. What often clouds these positive feelings is the overwhelm of the tasks ahead – the packing, the clean up and sale of your existing home. While this is a common sentiment irrespective of age, it seems just that bit harder the older we get.
This was the dilemma Jenni Olyslagers faced with her own family. “For both my mother and mother-in-law, the prospect of preparing their homes for sale was completely daunting. Having been through the process of moving a number of times, I knew what it took to make it happen.”
Jenni helped both ‘mums’ make the move with as little angst as possible. She styled their homes to assist with the sale, and a seed was planted when the real estate agent remarked she should consider making it her profession.
That was four years ago and since then, Transition Angels was formed and is now a thriving business on the Central Coast, extending to Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Region.
Jenni explains “the referrals kept coming, and I put that down to the fact that kindness is such an important part of the
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Radiation Oncology Centres (ROC) Gosford has been part of the Central Coast community for 23 years. We deliver world-class radiation therapy in a friendly and supportive environment, close to home for local patients. We offer: • State-of-the-art technology • Advanced radiation therapy techniques suitable for a wide range of cancer types • Affordable care for all patients – no private health insurance required with up to 80-90% Medicare rebate on services provided • No waitlist – consultation and treatment in a timely manner • Free parking available on-site Radiation Oncology Centres (ROC) Gosford has been part of the Central Coast community for 23 years. We deliver world-class radiation therapy in a friendly and supportive environment, close to home for local patients. We offer: • State-of-the-art technology • Advanced radiation therapy techniques suitable for a wide range of cancer types • Affordable care for all patients – no private health insurance required with up to 80-90% Medicare rebate on services provided • No waitlist – consultation and treatment in a timely manner • Free parking available on-site
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ROC is proudly part of Icon Group –
Australia’s largest dedicated cancer care provider. In the coming months, we are changing from ROC Gosford to Icon Cancer Centre Gosford. While the centre will have a fresh new look, be assured we will be the same exceptional team providing the same exceptional care.
service we provide. I handpicked my team and am very proud that we have made such a positive difference to people’s lives”.
According to Kincumber resident Richard Le Normand who commissioned Transition Angels to project manage his move, “I was completely stressed out at the thought of moving. After Jenni explained what they could do, the pressure was gone and I realised that they really had an angel running the business.
“I watched them carefully wrap and pack my precious belongings and furniture. They efficiently organised the transfer of all the services at both properties and transported my things to the new address. Everything was unpacked and placed in its correct position.
Mr Le Normand goes on to say “I’ve made several moves in my lifetime, but this is the first time I have experienced a completely stress-free one and very much appreciated the kindness and consideration given to me.”
Jenni has found that there are quite a lot of seniors who have busy families living several hours away, and the logistics of helping with a move is difficult for them.
“I’m passionate about seniors, and I enjoy hearing wonderful stories along the way. It’s the attention to detail that’s important, to really listen to each person and what they need. Over just a couple of days our customers can be packed, moved out, and moved in to their new home. The bed is made, everything is put away in a similar place to where it was before to make it that bit easier –and if a cup of tea is needed, we make that too.”
One way to deal with a big task such as moving house is to break it down into steps. Transition Angels offer a handy guide of first decluttering, then packing, coordinating a removalist, cleaning the old home, unpacking and set up.
There are also a number of easily overlooked tasks such as transferring the utilities accounts, redirecting mail, handing over keys and rubbish removal. It is a lot to think about, and often delays making the move to a new home. Luckily for those on the Central Coast and Hunter region, there is a stress-free alternative with an innovative local company.
For more information on help with moving house, visit www.transitionangels.com.au or call Jenni on 1300 730 028 for a free consultation and quote.
Moving or downsizing doesn’t have to be stressful
Take the pressure out of moving home with Transition Angels. You’ll be amazed at the careful way they handle all the details – from help with decluttering, through to setting up your new home just the way you like it. The transition from where you are, to where you want to be, just became a whole lot easier.
We break down the transition process into easy stages: • decluttering • rubbish removal • pre-sale styling • packing • coordination of removalist • cleaning • unpacking and setup
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