Medicines and the older person: principles of good practice

The UK has an ageing population--there are currently more people aged over 60 years than aged 16 years and under. The National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People provides standards for health and social services to ensure that older people receive high quality care (Department of Health (DoH), 2001a). An addendum to the NSF describes how the use of medicines for and by older people can be improved (DoH, 2001b). The aim of the document is to ensure that older people achieve the greatest benefit from their medications in order to sustain and increase their quality of life. The document also attempts to ensure that the older person does not suffer needlessly from illness that may be brought about by excessive, inappropriate or inadequate consumption of medicines. This article discusses how medications for older people can be taken in a safe and effective manner in relation to the addendum to the NSF (DoH, 2001b). Nurses must ensure that a multidisciplinary approach is adopted when setting standards and developing protocols for the safe and effective administration of medicines.