Older people

The NHS Long Term Plan builds on the NHS Five Year Forward View, also recognising the increasing and changing healthcare needs of the UK’s ageing population. The ambitions in this plan include helping people to live independently at home for longer, recognising and providing support to carers, and improving care for people living with dementia and in care homes.

The aim of this learning programme is to update your knowledge on the changes that come with ageing and the impact these have on health and medicines use for older people. It also explores the roles of the multidisciplinary teams to help you to understand how pharmacy can link in with them to improve health outcomes for older people and to provide support for their carers.

Learning Objectives:

• explain the importance of taking a person-centred approach to support older people with their medicines use, which reflects the differing needs of older people, especially those who are frail or have mental health problems
• outline the healthcare settings commonly used by older people, the role of various people who provide care for older people and the role of pharmacy in supporting the safe transfer of care between settings
• describe the impact of the physical, behavioural and socio-economic challenges faced by older people on their use of medicines and how pharmacy services can support medicines optimisation
• describe the effects of ageing on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medicines and the causes and consequences of polypharmacy
• outline the role of the pharmacy team in safeguarding vulnerable older people.

This programme aims to help you to develop your knowledge and skills to improve your confidence and competence in working with patients and other health and social care professionals to enable patients to get the best possible outcomes when they are taking multiple medicines.

Learning Objectives:

• explain the terminology associated with polypharmacy and what it means for patients and the health and social care team
• list the causes and consequences of polypharmacy in relation to the patient, their carer and the wider NHS
• identify medicines that cause problems for patients with polypharmacy and triggers that may indicate that polypharmacy is problematic
• explain the main considerations when stopping a patient's medicines, what barriers might exist and how to overcome these
• describe how you could use decision-making tools and strategies to support your practice when consulting with patients on multiple medicines
• explain how you could undertake patient-centred discussions about polypharmacy with patients during a medication review or medicines use review
• work in partnership with the patient to prioritise interventions and agree referral strategies
• identify and apply suitable resources and tools to support you in identifying polypharmacy issues and solutions as part of your clinical judgement and experience
• describe the process of shared decision-making and recognise its value in supporting adherence in patients taking multiple medicines
• identify a change you could make to your practice to improve your approach to managing polypharmacy.

The aim of this learning programme is to update your knowledge about working with care homes, the roles and responsibilities of the teams involved and the legal issues, guidance and regulations surrounding medicines in care homes. Through practice-based activities the programme supports you to use that knowledge in care homes and help residents make the most out of their medicines.

Learning Objectives:

• present an overview of social and healthcare teams involved in care homes, including specific details for your local area
• recognise the responsibilities of the pharmacy team within care homes
• demonstrate an understanding of the policies, processes and legislation relating to care homes by creating a plan to apply in your practice
• describe safe and effective processes for the management of medicines in care homes and understand how these processes link to community pharmacies and general practices
• identify the steps and people involved in the medicines review process in care homes, and how this supports medicines optimisation
• explain the roles of the people involved in the care of residents and the management of their medicines in a care home and describe how the pharmacy team can communicate effectively with them to reduce medicines-related problems.

The aim of this learning resource is to give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to deal professionally with any safeguarding issues that may arise in the course of your practice.

Completion of the programme and the associated Level 2 assessment will fulfil the safeguarding requirements at Level 2 for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians as required for the Pharmacy Quality Scheme and by the intercollegiate document Safeguarding children and young people.

Completion of the programme and the associated Level 1 assessment will allow pharmacy support staff to prove their competence at Level 1 as required by the intercollegiate document Safeguarding children and young people.

Learning Objectives:

• explain your role in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and be aware of your legal, ethical and professional responsibilities
• describe the different types of abuse that children and vulnerable adults may be subjected to and know how to recognise the potential signs of abuse
• know who to contact for advice if you have concerns about the safety of a child or vulnerable adult
• take appropriate action if you suspect a case of abuse or neglect, including appropriately reporting and recording your concerns and sharing of information
• be able to identify and refer on an individual suspected of being a victim of trafficking, child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation or at risk of radicalisation.

In this programme you will consider how to prepare for, and approach consultations with people suffering from dementia and how best to involve their carers or family members in these discussions.

Learning Objectives:

• discuss the importance and benefits of involving people with dementia in consultations and decisions about their treatment and health
• describe the skills and techniques needed to engage and communicate effectively with people with dementia
• identify some key national practice standards most applicable to pharmacy consultations with people with dementia
• recognise and address the challenges of a three-way consultation
• apply the knowledge, behaviours and person-centred skills needed to maximise the effectiveness of your consultations with people with dementia.

This workshop is for pharmacy professionals who are new to, or are considering providing medicines optimisation for residents in care homes for older people.

It is an interactive learning session using innovative practical activities, including a film and observation exercise, to build participants’ skills and confidence in changing how medicines are used in this setting.

#CPPEcarehomes

Learning Objectives:

• observe day-to-day practice in a care home for older people and identify poor care and potential medicines-related safeguarding incidents
• list the checks needed to ensure medicines reconciliation is completed accurately for new care home residents
• describe examples of good practice in medicines optimisation for older people in care homes
• implement practical strategies to manage poor practice in medicines optimisation and medicines-related safeguarding incidents to improve resilience of care homes
• create a checklist to guide care staff about whether a 'when required' medicine may be needed in a resident with dementia.

Consultations with older people are commonplace in pharmacy practice, but increasing complexity around medicines and conditions can present challenges. Supporting the older person in making decisions around their medicines and health while promoting dignity and respect is a vital part of the role of every healthcare professional.

This workshop is part of the Consultation skills for pharmacy practice programme which you can access via the Consultation skills for pharmacy website. It will support you in adapting your consultation to the needs of the older person to ensure a patient-centred approach.

Learning Objectives:

• describe the issues that make the consultation with the older person different
• appreciate and respect the perspective of the older person when discussing their medicines and health
• describe the key skills and behaviours that are essential to ensure older people are considered with respect and dignity
• adopt the key practice standards that will support you in demonstrating a person-centred approach when consulting with older people
• complete a self-reflection form to support you in developing your practice.

Work your way around the Dementia learning topic, taking part in bite-sized interactive challenges that will help you and your team support patients and carers with administering medicines, transfer of care from hospital to care home setting, and medicines adherence.

You can access this learning here: Dementia - theLearningpharmacy.com

Learning Objectives:

• describe new methods of engaging with patients and the public
• provide advice and signposting on self-care and public health
• explain how to deal effectively with patient queries about long term conditions or medicines
• support a person presenting with a new prescription
• describe how to advise appropriately a patient requesting an OTC medicine
• become more confident in dealing with therapeutic challenges and prescription interventions
• explain how you would work in partnership with other healthcare professionals to support patients.

Work your way around the Supporting carers learning topic, taking part in bite-sized interactive challenges that will help you and your team learn to identify carers and young carers. The challenges will support you in giving advice on self-care and healthy lifestyle choices for carers, as well as how to manage medicines for the people they care for.

You can access this learning here: Supporting carers - theLearningpharmacy.com

Learning Objectives:

• develop and run an effective health promotion campaign in your pharmacy
• provide advice and signposting on self-care and public health
• explain how to deal effectively with patient queries about long term conditions or medicines
• support a person presenting with a new prescription
• describe how to advise appropriately a patient requesting an OTC medicine
• explain how you would work in partnership with other healthcare professionals to support patients
• identify and meet the professional development needs of the pharmacy team.

This guideline covers assessment of falls risk and interventions to prevent falls in people aged 65 and over. It aims to reduce the risk and incidence of falls and the associated distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence, loss of independence and mortality.

The indicators presented in this profile underline the scope to improve health outcomes by ensuring that all older people receive the opportunities, care and support delivered in the best-performing localities.

A range of resources for professionals who work with or for older people.

British Geriatrics Society webpage

Caeres Trust offers a wide range of resources and information for anyone who works with carers.