This advice is for people with early, mid and late stage dementia.
Expert consensus is that these practices are recommended in the care of people with dementia
Medication reviews
When reviewing medications use for people living with dementia, health professionals should check that each medication is:
- underpinned by a current, valid indication
- effective for that individual
- consistent with individual’s care goals
- documented with a time frame to review
A medication review should be triggered by:
- a significant event (e.g. cardiovascular event, fall, fracture, hospital admission, residential care facility admission)
- increasing frailty
- resistance to taking medications
- belief taking medications is a burden
- writing a new prescription for the medication
- decline in cognitive function
- decline in ability to manage activities of daily living
- regular use of five or more medications