The aim of both the market and literature reviews is to identify existing technology for potential use to support older people with sensory impairment (OPwSI) and their carers in terms of pharmaceutical care. Specifically we identified
1) Existing assistive technology e.g. devices, which are or could be used by OPwSI and/or their carers, to promote the safe and effective use of medicines.
2) Devices/strategies currently used by Occupational Therapists (OTs) and pharmacy personnel to assist older people with sight and/or hearing loss and
3) Gaps in the market.
Alongside these reviews, we also interviewed OTs and community pharmacists to see what they use currently. Based on these interviews we constructed surveys for both community pharmacists and OTs to complete across the UK.
The surveys launched in January 2022 and are currently open for participation. They explore what kinds of technologies healthcare professionals are aware of, use, and the kinds of training they have received in terms of how to best assist older people with sensory impairment on their medicine journey. Please contact us using the details on the right side of this page, if you would like to participate!