This project involved pharmacy students visiting older people in Brighton’s deprived neighbourhoods to help them understand how their medication works and why it was prescribed. Poor living standards can lead to lower levels of physical and mental health as many people from this group do not fully understand their prescribed medication and, as a result, often fail to take it.

Project Outline

DWTMThe poor living standards of many older (over 65) residents of east and central Brighton’s deprived neighbourhoods can lead to lower levels of physical and mental health and great social isolation. Health is also affected by the fact that many people in this group do not fully understand their prescribed medication and, as a result, often fail to take it.

This community scheme, in partnership with the Seniors Community Project, was supported by £20,420 BSCKE funding and aimed to help address this problem. University of Brighton pharmacy students visited older people in the local area on a monthly, one-to-one basis, to help them understand how their medication works and why it was prescribed. The project raised students’ awareness of the social context of medication while the older people benefitted from regular social contact, increased understanding of their medication, and encouragement to consult their GP or pharmacist if they experienced problems.

A project co-coordinator undertook risk assessments, matched students to people, and worked with the university to embed the project’s best elements within the pharmacy degree programme.

Project Partners

Seniors Community Project/Chichester Diocesan Housing Association

School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences