For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Hobbies for the holiday season promote independence and wellbeing
+Practice
In print
Older people
Hobbies for the holiday season promote independence and wellbeing
Wednesday 13 December 2023, 12:20 AM

Set yourself a New Year’s resolution to engage in a hobby regularly [Image: Dinh Pham on Unsplash]
Specialist GP Ngaire Kerse looks at the contribution of hobbies to older people’s wellbeing, with a reminder to make time for hobbies before work life ends
Key points, Engagement in hobbies in later life improves mental wellbeing.
Someone in your practice should become the expert on social and community engagement , Pract Green w Pale Yellow
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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References
1. Mak HW, Noguchi T, Bone JK, et al. Hobby engagement and mental wellbeing among people aged 65 years and older in 16 countries. Nat Med 2023;29(9):2233–40.
2. Robinson TE, Boyd ML, North D, et al. Proactive primary care model for frail older people in New Zealand delays aged-residential care: A quasi-experiment. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021;69(6):1617–26.