Optimizing Elderly Care: An ECM Course and FAD Initiative on Therapy Reduction and Medication Management

Free ECM Course Available: Revising Therapy and Reducing medication in the Elderly

A free Continuing Medical Education (ECM) course, “Revision of therapy and reduction of drugs in the elderly,” is now available on the Saepe platform until December 31, 2025. This training event is designed for all healthcare professionals in participating regions and awards 14 ECM credits.

course Description

Why is this FAD ECM course on therapy revision and deprescribing in the elderly meaningful? Data from Osmed 2023 reveals that 68% of individuals over 65 receive prescriptions for at least five medications annually, with nearly one in three taking ten or more active ingredients. This widespread medication use increases the risk of inappropriate prescriptions,perhaps harmful drug interactions,and poor adherence to treatment plans,substantially impacting health and quality of life.

Periodic therapy review and pharmacological deprescribing are becoming increasingly crucial. This isn’t simply about reducing medication numbers; it involves carefully evaluating the appropriateness of each treatment considering the patient’s clinical condition, age, frailty, and individual care goals. This complex process demands specific skills, continuous learning, and effective communication with the patient and their support network.This FAD ECM course, part of the Cosissifa project, provides practical and up-to-date tools for managing elderly patients, promoting more conscious and safe clinical practice.

What You Will learn:

Upon completion of this course, participants will gain knowlege in:

Evaluating prescription appropriateness using internationally recognized criteria.
Managing interactions between drugs, food, and supplements.
Identifying factors influencing therapeutic adherence.
Integrating medication reconciliation into treatment transitions, including principles and procedures.
* Contributing to the deprescribing process by evaluating risks and benefits and fostering effective communication with patients, families, and caregivers.

Course Components:

The course is structured into six modules, each featuring video presentations, accompanying slides, animated video clips, and supplementary textual materials. Each module includes exercises and an ECM evaluation questionnaire requiring a score of at least 75% for completion, along with a satisfaction questionnaire for providing feedback.

Click here for more information and to access the course.

Nurse Times editorial Staff

How can the ECM course specifically aid healthcare professionals in reducing polypharmacy within their geriatric patient populations?

Understanding the Growing Need for Specialized Elderly Care

As the global population ages – a trend significantly noted by the World Health Organization (WHO) – the demand for specialized elderly care is rapidly increasing. This isn’t just about addressing age-related illnesses; it’s about enhancing the quality of life for our seniors. A key component of this is effective medication management and a thoughtful approach to therapy reduction, particularly focusing on polypharmacy. India’s national Program for Health Care of Elderly and Health and Wellness Centres under the Ayushman Bharat programme are steps in the right direction, but further specialized training is crucial. this is where the Enhanced Care Model (ECM) course and the Frailty and Aging Diagnostics (FAD) initiative become invaluable.

What is the Enhanced Care Model (ECM) Course?

The ECM course is a comprehensive training program designed for healthcare professionals – physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and social workers – focused on improving care for older adults. It emphasizes a holistic, patient-centered approach, moving beyond simply treating diseases to addressing the individual’s overall well-being. Core modules include:

Geriatric Assessment: Comprehensive evaluation of physical,cognitive,and psychosocial function.

Polypharmacy Management: Identifying and addressing potentially inappropriate medications.

Falls Risk Assessment & Prevention: Strategies to minimize fall risk, a major concern in the elderly population.

Advance Care planning: Facilitating discussions about end-of-life wishes and ensuring patient autonomy.

Care Coordination: Seamlessly connecting patients with the necessary resources and support services.

Delirium Prevention and Management: Recognizing and addressing acute confusional states.

This course isn’t just theoretical; it incorporates practical workshops, case studies, and simulations to equip participants with the skills needed to implement changes in their clinical practice. Geriatric medicine is evolving,and ECM provides the tools to stay ahead.

The Role of Frailty and Aging Diagnostics (FAD)

The FAD initiative complements the ECM course by providing a standardized approach to identifying and assessing frailty in older adults. Frailty isn’t a disease itself, but a state of increased vulnerability to stressors. Identifying frailty allows healthcare providers to proactively intervene and prevent adverse outcomes. Key FAD components include:

Frailty Phenotype Assessment: Utilizing validated tools to assess physical function, weight loss, exhaustion, and activity levels.

Cognitive Screening: Early detection of cognitive impairment.

Functional Capacity Evaluation: Assessing the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs).

Comorbidity assessment: Identifying and managing multiple chronic conditions.

Medication Review: A detailed analysis of all medications to identify potential risks and interactions.

Therapy Reduction: A Cornerstone of Optimized Elderly Care

Deprescribing, or therapy reduction, is a critical aspect of optimizing care for older adults.Polypharmacy – the use of multiple medications – is incredibly common in this population, often leading to adverse drug events, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs.

Hear’s how ECM and FAD support effective therapy reduction:

1. Comprehensive Medication Review: Identifying medications that are no longer necessary, potentially inappropriate, or causing harm.
2. Benefit-Risk Assessment: Carefully weighing the benefits of each medication against its potential risks, considering the patient’s overall health status and goals of care.
3. Gradual Dose Reduction: Slowly tapering medications to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
4. Non-Pharmacological Alternatives: exploring choice therapies, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lifestyle modifications.
5. Regular Monitoring: Closely monitoring patients after medication changes to assess for any adverse effects.

Medication reconciliation is also vital – ensuring an accurate and complete list of all medications is maintained and communicated between healthcare providers.

Benefits of Implementing ECM and FAD

The benefits of integrating ECM principles and FAD assessments into elderly care are significant:

Reduced Hospitalizations: Proactive identification and management of frailty and polypharmacy can prevent acute medical events.

Improved Quality of Life: Reducing medication burden and addressing functional limitations can enhance well-being.

Decreased Healthcare Costs: Preventing adverse drug events and hospitalizations leads to important cost savings.

Enhanced Patient Satisfaction: A patient-centered approach that prioritizes individual needs and preferences fosters trust and satisfaction.

Increased Longevity: Optimized care can help older adults live longer, healthier lives. The emergence of “super-agers” highlights the potential for extending healthy lifespan.

Practical Tips for Healthcare Professionals

Prioritize Medication Review: Make medication review a routine part of every geriatric assessment.

Embrace a Team-Based Approach: Collaborate with pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to optimize medication management.

Engage Patients and Families: Involve patients and their families in decision-making regarding medication changes.

Utilize Clinical Decision Support Tools: Leverage