Empowering Dementia Patients in Medical Care Discussions

A new resource is helping people with dementia speak to their doctors and health care professionals about their medicines with more confidence. The 'conversation starter' tool and website, co-designed with consumers and caregivers, allows people with dementia to better understand and articulate their health needs and even reduce the number of prescribed medicines. Dr. Nagham Ailabouni from The University of Queensland's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences said the PRIME tool—PReparing people living with dementia to Initiate conversations about their MEdicines—is intended for people with memory problems including Alzheimer's disease, dementia or mild cognitive impairment. "Talking to health care professionals can be daunting for people with dementia and their caregivers," Dr. Ailabouni said. "Consumers have asked for a resource to help them navigate these conversations and report that using the PRIME tool gives them confidence to ask relevant questions. "It could result in a comprehensive review of their medicines and a possible reduction in the number of potentially harmful medicines they take. "This would help consumers manage their medicines more easily, ultimately improving their overall health and well-being." Dr. Ailabouni has also co-designed a website—kindmeds.org—where consumers can download the PRIME tool, print it off to fill in their own time, or complete online prior to a medical appointment. "The tool and website were not only developed for consumers, but with them,"' Dr. Ailabouni said. "It offers valuable sources of information, resources and knowledge to better understand the medicines they take and engage with their health care professionals about making crucial decisions related to their health and medicines. "To the best of our knowledge, the PRIME tool and website are the first resources co-designed and comprehensively tested with people living with dementia and their caregivers.'' The PRIME tool has also been adapted for older people who may not experience memory problems. It is available in English and Chinese, with more languages planned.