The top 10 unanswered questions about medicines for people living with dementia

Up to 93 per cent of people living with dementia have experienced at least one medicine-related problem, leading to potentially harmful effects, but how do we improve these odds?

A multi-step project including nationwide surveys and a workshop coordinated by the University of South Australia will today propose a solution – in the form of the top 10 unanswered questions about medicine use from people living with dementia, their carers, families and friends and healthcare professionals.

A webinar hosted by UniSA researcher and NHMRC Investigator Fellow Dr Emily Reeve, and Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM will reveal the key questions that could halt medicine-related harm among people living with dementia.

And they’re questions raised by people and their carers who are directly affected by polypharmacy (prescribed more than five medicines) and unsafe use of medicines.

The main priority is the importance of sharing decision making about medicines between healthcare professionals, people living with dementia and their carers.

Making sure that healthcare professionals have the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure that the medicine being prescribed is safe and effective was identified as the second priority.

The need for clear communication at all levels, especially at transitions of care, is the third priority.

All 10 questions are listed in this video, explaining the research project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaoF3uxQFn0 (3 minute mark).

“Quality use of medicines means using medicines safely and effectively to get the best possible health outcomes. It also means only using medicines when they are needed,” Dr Reeve says.

“People living with dementia are diverse. They often have multiple other medical conditions and come from all socio-cultural backgrounds.

“In the past, questions have been led by drug companies or researchers, with little involvement of consumers and healthcare professionals. Their input will ensure our research going forward is directly relevant to the care of people living with dementia. This will lead to improved use of medicines and better health outcomes.”

Dementia is the second leading cause of death for Australians (the leading cause for women), with an estimated 487,500 Australians living with dementia. Without a medical breakthrough, this number is expected to reach 1.1 million people by 2058, according to Dementia Australia.

It is not confined to older populations, either. In 2022, an estimated 28,800 people have younger onset dementia, including people in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

Approximately 1.6 million people in Australia are also caring for someone living with dementia at home.

“With an estimated half a million Australians living with dementia and around 1.6 million Australians involved in their care, research into dementia is now more urgent than ever,” says Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe.

“There is much to be inspired by, with new and exciting breakthroughs on the horizon. It is crucially important to involve consumers in the research process so that the best outcomes for people impacted by dementia are achieved,” she says.

For more information about the project, go to: https://www.unisa.edu.au/research/qumprc/our-research/optimising-medici…