News Release Archive
SENIOR CITIZENS SECRETARIAT--DELIVERING MEDICATION EDUCATION ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Nova Scotia Senior Citizens' Secretariat has embarked on a pilot project called "Towards the Prudent Use of Medications" which will provide education on medication to seniors in Wolfville, Kentville, Berwick and surrounding rural areas. Seniors, health professionals and caregivers will be involved in the development and delivery of the medication education program. Community Services Minister Jim Smith, who is also chair of the secretariat, said, "The project will provide seniors with the means of communicating more effectively with health professionals, improve their knowledge about how to effectively manage their medications and ultimately give them the opportunity to become more responsible for their own health." The pilot project will benefit those seniors who are 65 years and over, living on their own in the community and who are at risk of mismanaging their medications (prescription and non-prescription) because of difficulties accessing medication information. Seniors may have difficulty accessing medication information if they are homebound or otherwise isolated and/or they suffer sensory loss (sight, hearing, speech) and/or, they lack literacy or comprehension skills. "We are very pleased to be a part of the secretariat's pilot project," said Health Minister Ron Stewart. "Educating seniors on medication use will help to ensure the sustainability of Pharmacare now and into the future." The first phase of this project, determined that a vigorous outreach strategy was needed to educate seniors at risk of mismanaging their medications. John Murphy, MP for Annapolis Valley-Hants, representing federal Health Minister David Dingwall, said "this project is an example of how a program such as, New Horizons: Partners in Aging', responds to the needs of seniors. It is especially important that we direct our concerns to seniors in situations of risk or prevent situations which put these individuals at risk." Health Canada's New Horizons: Partners in Aging has funded the second phase of the project in the amount of $53, 512. The second phase of the project will be delivered in the Kentville, Berwick and Wolfville areas by local seniors and in-home service providers who will be trained as peer educators. The information will be delivered to the target group by the peer educators through home visits. Seniors who were consulted with during the first phase of the project said that they wanted to be involved in the education process. Peer education will give seniors this opportunity to reach out to other seniors in their community. A series of community medication review clinics will also be carried out providing all seniors in the project area the opportunity to have their prescription and non-prescription medications reviewed by a local physician or pharmacist. Pharmacists, physicians, public health nurses, home care personnel, seniors' clubs and the community at large will be encouraged to become involved in promoting the project and will encourage seniors, in need of medication information, to participate. The second phase of the project is being sponsored by the Province of Nova Scotia, Health Canada's New Horizons: Partners in Aging program, and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Canada. The project's advisory committee is the Nova Scotia Coalition for Seniors' Drug Education. The coalition is comprised of: Senior Citizens' Secretariat, Medical Society of Nova Scotia, Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Pharmaceutical Society, Department of Health, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Canada and Canadian Drug Manufacturers Association. Further information on the Towards the Prudent Use of Medications can be obtained from the Senior Citizens' Secretariat, at 902-424-4779 or 1-800-670-0065 (toll-free). -30- NOTE TO EDITORS: Backgrounder available by calling 424-4492 or 1-800-670-4357. Contact: Valerie White 902-424-4649 trp Mar. 20, 1996 - 11:58 a.m.