Supporting Medicine Use by Older People with Visual and/or Hearing Impairment

Understand medicines management for older people with sensory impairment

Many countries are experiencing ageing populations. Older people are more likely to have long-term health conditions and to use multiple medicines to manage these. In addition, older people are also more likely to experience visual and/or hearing impairment (also called sensory impairment).

On this four-week course, you’ll learn how to support the safe and effective use of medicines by older people with sensory impairment.

Learn about the medicine-related challenges of older people with sensory impairment

Older people with sensory impairment (visual and/or hearing) can experience multiple difficulties at every stage of their medicine journey – from ordering and obtaining to storing and administering their medicines.

On the course, you’ll learn about the medicine-related challenges faced by older people with sensory impairment as well as the potential solutions to address these challenges. 

Discover strategies for person-centred care 

With an understanding of the difficulties older people with sensory impairment face, you’ll learn about techniques and strategies to support their safe, effective, and person-centred use of medicines.

You’ll discover the importance of communication before learning about the technologies that can help to support older people with sensory impairment.

Finally, you’ll learn practical skills about being person-centred in consultations and interactions with older people with sensory impairment and their medicines. 

Learn from the experts at the University of Strathclyde

Throughout the course, you will be guided by specialists from the University of Strathclyde. With their expertise, you’ll develop the knowledge to support the safe and effective use of medicines by older people with sensory impairment.  

This course is designed for health and social care professionals.

You may be a pharmacist, general practitioner, practice nurse, carer, or other health and social professional looking to gain more knowledge about medicines management.

It may also be of interest to those with visual and/or hearing loss.

This course is designed for health and social care professionals.

You may be a pharmacist, general practitioner, practice nurse, carer, or other health and social professional looking to gain more knowledge about medicines management.

It may also be of interest to those with visual and/or hearing loss.

• Discuss sensory loss and impairment.
• Summarise the medicines management needs of older people (including risks and vulnerabilities).
• Describe the medicines management challenges faced by older people with sensory loss and impairment.
• Identify effective strategies to support safe and effective person-centered medicines management for older people with sensory impairment and loss.
• Practice person-centered medicines management support for older people with sensory loss and impairment.