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HEALTH AGED CARE
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RET AIL PHARMA C Y • MA Y 2020
pharmacies play as a provider of
dementia information and support.
Community pharmacists can complete
free courses that cover the ways
in which pharmacy can improve its
ability to meet the needs of people
with dementia. The courses offers the
opportunity to develop clinical skills
that can be used when evaluating
medication management strategies for
those living with the condition.
Also available is the course ‘Dementia
friendly pharmacy’, covering the process
needed to become a dementia-friendly
pharmacy, including training for staff and
assessment of the physical environment.
This course also explores medications
commonly prescribed for dementia,
including their risks, side effects and
how they may interact with other
prescribed medications.
“For people living with dementia,
their family, carers and friends, and for
anyone in the health and aged care
industries, it’s important for them to
know they’re not alone,” Ms McCabe
said, adding that if they have any
questions they should call the National
Dementia Helpline (1800 100 500) for
information and support.
Mental health support
Since the first case of COVID-19 was
diagnosed in December 2019, it has
spread rapidly around the world and
triggered radical action. The introduction
of social distancing across many
countries has brought about major
change in people’s daily routines and
behaviour, including, in many instances,
loss of work and income.
While people generally understand
that restrictions such as social distancing
are vital to limit the spread of this virus,
significant consequences for mental
health, both immediately and in the long
term, are expected.
In a recent ‘Viewpoint’ article published
in the American Medical Association
journal
JAMA Internal Medicine
, US 3
and Norwegian scientists outline the
need to bolster existing mental health
services to help people dealing with
the distress caused by COVID-19 and
social distancing, with the Australian
government having been quick to put
the necessary resources in place.
The article shows how large-scale
disasters – whether traumatic, such
as the World Trade Centre attack and
New Zealand mosque shootings, or
natural, such as bushfires or floods –
are almost always accompanied by
increases in depression, post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), substance use
disorder, a broad range of other mental
and behavioural disorders, domestic
violence and child abuse.
It quotes survey findings including that
one in 10 adults in New York showed
signs of the major depressive disorder
in the month following the 9/11 attacks
and almost 25 per cent of New Yorkers
reported increased alcohol use after
the attacks.
The SARS epidemic was also
associated with increases in PTSD,
stress and psychological distress in
patients and clinicians. With events such
as these, the impact on mental health
can occur immediately after the event,
or be delayed. In either case, the effects
can persist for a long time.
It’s anticipated the COVID-19 pandemic
will lead to substantial increases in
mental health conditions including
anxiety, depression and loneliness as
well as substance use and domestic
violence. With schools closed, an
increase in cases of child abuse is also
a significant risk.
The Australian government recognises
the likelihood of such effects and
has launched a two-year $74 million
package of measures focused on
prevention and direct intervention to
support the mental health and wellbeing
of Australians in the face of the
COVID-19 pandemic’s challenges.
The government’s COVID-19 National
Health Plan fact sheet says it also
recognises that additional investment
and support are likely to be required as
the effects of the pandemic continue
to be felt, including dedicated help
available to frontline health workers.
The support being funded includes:
• A dedicated mental health and
wellbeing program for frontline health
workers such as pharmacists and
pharmacy assistants, providing online
and phone services, giving frontline
workers support when and where
they need it.
• Expansion of the Community Visitors
Scheme, with funding for extra staff
and volunteers to ensure older people
receiving aged care support stay
connected online and by phone.
• A 24/7 phone counselling service
led by mental-disorder support
organisation Beyond Blue and
staffed by accredited mental
health professionals to help
people experiencing stress or anxiety
associated with the impacts of the
pandemic, such as health concerns,
employment changes, business
closures or family pressures.
• A targeted mental health
communications campaign as
part of the broader COVID-19
communications campaign. This will
include wide-ranging advertising,
social media engagement, education
and awareness initiatives to keep
the conversation going about mental
health as the full impacts of the
pandemic emerge.
Full details of the package are available
within our
aged care resources
.
Practical steps
According to data from the Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare, in 2018,
82 per cent of people aged 70 years
and over had no carer. To help older
4
people manage the current situation,
pharmacies can take a number of
steps, particularly as the extended
distance between people can make
communication difficult for older
people who have experienced loss of,
or reduced, hearing or sight.
On a purely practical level during
this lockdown, pharmacies can make a
significant difference by giving a little
extra time to older patients and ensuring
they’re being effectively cared for.
Chaplaincy Australia National Director
Ralph Estherby explains how the trust in
pharmacists among older people can be
used to benefit them at this time.
“It’s vitally important that pharmacy
staff are aware that these people
are going to be afraid,” he said.
“They’re going to be confused and
they’re going to have a story to tell
around this whole space. A few will be
remembering the Depression, and many
of our older people will be remembering
the Second World War and Vietnam.
“Being a trusted agent, pharmacists
have this huge opportunity to speak
confidently to older people about their
fears. While the virus is something
they’re frightened of at the moment,
one of the big things older people can
do is stick to reputable sources for
information and not listen to every news
broadcast or outlet.
“In terms of fear, I think the best
counter to fear is a listening ear and a
reassuring word. Pharmacy staff have
the capacity to do that. Older people
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