Abstract:

Responding to the medication needs of an ageing population is a major challenge for the Australian health care system. As the main care givers of residents in aged care facilities, nurses are ideally positioned to promote quality medication management for these individuals. This review paper identifies issues affecting medication management of elderly residents, using the psychotropic family of drugs as an example. Strategies aimed at improving medication management in elderly residents, which include education, guidelines documents, legislation and consumer medication information, are also examined. While the review explores the nurse's perspective, it also emphasises the need for collaborative involvement.