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Goal A: All older adults will become aware that falling is a potential adverse effect of some prescription and non prescription medications and discuss these effects with their health care providers. |
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Strategy 1- Increase the numbers of older adults who have a regular (annual) medication review conducted by a health care provider such
as a pharmacist or nurse, and insure this review includes an adequate focus on falls and fall-related injury prevention, with the goal of
improving management of medications to reduce fall risks.
- Rx Check-Up Events, Educational Events, Three-fold Brochure
Strategy 2- Conduct a strategically planned consumer education campaign to increase awareness of falls risks associated with improper
medication use (prescription and nonprescription).
- Social Marketing Campaign
- Create database of current resources
Strategy 3- Assure that falls self-management programs include a component on medication management and awareness of fall risks,
by providing resource materials to other programs.
Strategy 4- Develop strategies to empower older adults and family members to take responsibility for medication management, as
directed by their health care professionals.
Goal B: Health care providers will be aware that falling is a common adverse effect of some prescription and nonprescription medications, and therefore will adopt a standard of care that promotes patient safety and proper medication management. |
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Strategy 1- Support health care provider efforts in the implementation of periodic medication review and modification prior to each
prescription that is written for an older adult.
- Through partnerships with pharmacy schools and local pharmacies, utilizing students and pharmacists for cataloging and review opportunities
Strategy 2 – Develop a systematic method for predicting how various medications interact with patient characteristics to increase risk
of falls, to check for drug interactions and high risk medications.
- Support the development, implementation and dissemination of information for medication management to reduce risk of falling among older adults
- Develop and disseminate information through information packets, clearinghouses, conferences and every possible means available to the project.
- Provide medical professionals with education related to the importance of fall risk tools. Address training and technical assistance needs so professionals will know how to use the tools in their clinical practices kit.
Strategy 3 - Improve the education of health care professionals regarding the adverse effects of some medications in relation to increased
fall risks among older adults, and about the correct use of medications that can reduce the risks of fractures due to falls for older adults.
- Develop communication strategies to provide information to all health care providers on different uses of drugs and why people take them. Include information about how different medications relate to different falls risk, as well as information on medications that are related to falls and fall-related injury prevention.
- Identify and analyze the current medications management tools related to falls management.
- Provide information directly to faculty of pharmacy medical schools, allied health education and health care professionals.
- Provide continuing education
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