Many community pharmacists and pharmacies offer a service to help customers stay independent, healthy and active.
The Supporting Independent Living Programme addresses issues that threaten the health, independence and quality of life of people as they age or cope with ill health and/or disability.
It has been created to help those who need extra help to maintain their health and lifestyle, and provide them with the ability to function, participate and live a full and independent life.
The programme offers advice, assistance and information about your medicines and wellbeing. There is an opportunity to have a personal consultation with your pharmacist in a private pharmacy room, or in your own home.
Ways pharmacies can help:
Ensuring that you are taking your medicines at the right time, in the right dose and in the right way.
Understanding more about your medicines.
Better management of any side effects you may have.
Checking for drug interactions that may affect you.
Your pharmacist can also offer advice on other products and services that could make daily living better and/or easier:
Special medicine packaging If you have trouble remembering to take your medicines, your pharmacist can offer you an organiser or blister packs. Both types of packaging make it easy to see whether or not you have taken your medicines.
Home delivery When personal mobility or transport to the pharmacy is a problem, pharmacies may be able to deliver your medicines to you.
Repeat reminders Supporting Independent Living pharmacies can remind you when you need to order your next supply.
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Mobility and home health aids Your pharmacist can show you a range of mobility and household aids to help with daily tasks and preserve independence.
Continence care products A continence care product advisor can give you advice about products and information about where to go for help with bladder control problems.
Over 90 pharmacies nationwide are registered as Supporting Independent Living Pharmacies. This number is expected to increase over the year.
For more information, ask your pharmacist about the Supporting Independent Living Programme.
Protect Children from Poisoning
Children under four years of age are most at risk of accidental poisonings. Around three quarters of poisonings occur in the child's own home. The second most common place is the home of a friend or relative. Child poisonings are mostly caused by medicines or household chemicals, especially those stored unsafely or those ‘in use' or ‘between uses' at the time. Store medicines and household chemicals where children can't see or reach them, preferably locked away. If a medicine needs to be stored in the fridge, keep it well back and on an upper shelf. Buy medicines in small quantities so that you do not have large amounts stored at home. Ask your pharmacist to put safety caps on your medicines when they are dispensed. Remind grandparents and others who visit that medicines are easily accessible in handbags. Put the handbags out of reach. Educate children that only adults can give them medicine. Never call medicines sweets, lollies or soft drinks. Don't take your medicine in front of young children as they may try to copy you.