What were we trying to do?
We worked with people living with Dementia (PLwD), health and social care professionals and academics to develop a medication management support tool for community dwelling PLwD and their carers. 

 

 

Why was this important?
Polypharmacy (multiple medications) is common amongst older people and PLwD. Although in some cases this is unavoidable, prescriptions often include unnecessary and inappropriate medications, leading to adverse health outcomes. Maintaining a balance between risks and benefits can be challenging, and many PLwD do not receive regular medication reviews. With clinicians’ time being limited, patients may benefit from tools which are designed to support shared decision making, educating and empowering patients to play an active role in their own health care.

 

 

How did we do it?
We completed two workshops with people living with dementia and experts from diverse fields including pharmacy, nursing, geriatrics, gerontology, digital health, engineering and behavioural science to develop the decision support tool for people living with dementia and their carers. We are now in the process of completing the development of wireframe work incorporating patient perspectives. 

 

 

Who did we work with?

• The project is funded by ARC-GM, the Alzheimer’s Society and the University of Manchester (UoM) Micro-catalyst seed funding 
• Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work at UoM.
• Healthy Ageing Research Group (HARG) at UoM
• Pharmacy department at UoM
• Research IT services at UoM
• Digital Health and Decision-Making group at UoM
• PPIE representatives across Greater Manchester 

 

 

More information

 

 

Programme Manager
Alison Littlewood
alison.j.littlewood@manchester.ac.uk