Did you know that some medications put seniors at risk of falling? Recent data reports that 3000 seniors die each year as a result of medication-related problems of which 88% are considered preventable. 11% of Emergency room visits by seniors are drug related, and 20% of seniors in the community take medications that are considered inappropriate for their age. Many seniors fall through the cracks in the health care system. One of the reasons is that timely review of the complex health care needs of seniors is often not routinely done in community practice. A Senior Care Practitioner has advanced training and knowledge of how to prevent medication-related problems in the elderly. Expertise in Geriatric Pharmacy identify actual and potential medication-related problems, determine the relevance, safety and appropriateness of medications, suggest and implement safer alternatives and improve functionality and quality of life.

Mathilda Prinsloo
www.seniorcarepractice.com