GPs to face ongoing COVID sequelae for ‘years’ A third of older adults who contract COVID-19 develop new health conditions, researchers have found, with primary care likely to bear the brunt.
Taking the burden out of anticholinergic medicines A new program targeting the use of anticholinergic medicines has been launched by NPS MedicineWise.
‘Reassuring’ figures on breakthrough infections Deaths from ‘breakthrough’ infections are most likely to happen among the elderly but vaccination hugely diminishes risk, recent studies suggest.
Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine approved for use in older Australians The TGA has said there is ‘no specific risk’ associated with vaccinating older people, following reports of deaths in Norway.
Older Australians not protected against pertussis: Study The new research also found GP recommendations can play a key role in increasing adult vaccination coverage for the disease.
Calls to improve staffing levels in ‘failing’ aged care system New research has confirmed the sector is chronically understaffed, which GPs say is affecting quality of care.
Lifestyle choices may help combat genetic risk of dementia: Study People at high risk of dementia who adopt healthy habits could be 32% less likely to contract the disease than those with an unhealthy lifestyle.
GPs ‘central’ to reducing polypharmacy Almost one million Australians aged 70 and over take five or more medications daily, placing them at increased risk of unwanted side effects, more frequent hospital admissions and falls.
Antidepressants, opioids more than double falls risk in older people Practitioners need to weigh up the risks and benefits of these medications, expert says.