Discovering and understanding under-served communities

Older people with multiple medicines for multi-morbidity

Life expectancy in England is increasing. There are now more people in the UK aged 60 and above (15 million) than there are under 18. However, as people get older, they tend to have higher rates of ill health (e.g. heart disease, stroke, arthritis, osteoporosis, frailty etc). As a result their use of medicines tends to increase.

Rooting out age discrimination

Reports suggest that a person’s age and the presence of multiple illness discriminates them access to NHS health care and treatment opportunities. Moreover, age-related inequalities in health care are particularly prevalent among older people with mental health illness and those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

Age UK (2015) Later Life in the United Kingdom, Age UK

Davies N (2011) Reducing inequalities in healthcare provision for older adults. Nursing Standard 25 (41):49

Maher RL et al. (2014). Clinical consequences of polypharmacy in elderly. Expert opinion on drug safety 13 (1):57-65

Tadd W et al (2011) Dignity in Practice: An exploration of the care of older adults in acute NHS Trusts. NIHR SDO report

Select which of the following statements are true or false?
In one survey, 60% of older people in Britain agree that discrimination is a part of everyday life.
Correct - It is True that in one survey,60% of older people in Britain agree that discrimination is a part of everyday life.
Incorrect - It is True that in one survey,60% of older people in Britain agree that discrimination is a part of everyday life.
Less than half claim that older people receive poor standards of healthcare.
Incorrect - More than half claim that older people receive poor standards of healthcare.
Correct - It is false - We know that more than half claim that older people receive poor standards of healthcare.
Only a tiny minority argue that in general they receive poor care, whether in their own homes or in care homes.
Incorrect - We understand that two thirds argue that in general they receive poor care, whether in their own homes or in care homes.
Correct - It is false - We understand that two thirds argue that in general they receive poor care, whether in their own homes or in care homes .
Reflect on your Medicines Use Reviews

Can you think of a time when you might have discriminated against older individuals on multiple medicines? Have you ever overlooked an individual for a Medicines Use Review because you think the consultation would take too long or would end up confusing them? Enter your reflections in the text box below in 200 words or less.

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