Uniting AgeWell’s Melbourne home care packages team is leading the charge by introducing a new program aimed at reducing potentially inappropriate medication among community clients.
Two thirds of Australians aged 75 and over take five or more medications every day. A recent study confirmed almost three quarters of home nursing clients were taking potentially inappropriate medication that could lead to adverse events including falls and hospitalisation.
However, a new world-first model of care by Ward Medication Management called ‘Thrive’, aims to reduce the risks by providing individuals with ongoing, tailored medication plans.
A simple DNA swab enables the Thrive team to measure which medications an individual’s body can metabolise well and which it can’t. This provides key information for the creation of a safe, tailored medication plan for the community client.
Thrive also reduces the risks of harm caused by taking multiple medications. It does this through in-depth collaboration with an individual’s health care team, regular medication plan updates and around-the-clock access to a team of clinical pharmacists specialising in geriatric medicine.
General Manager Strategy and Business Development Fonda Voukelatos said Uniting AgeWell was excited to be one of the founding partners of Thrive and to be providing proactive medication care to our clients.
“By collaborating with GP’s and specialists the Thrive service ultimately enables clients to live independently for longer,” he said.
More information about Thrive.