The document, due to be released on Tuesday in public consultation, outlines several measures to improve the quality of life of the elderly.
One of the actions called for is the definition of a strategy to combat situations of people taking five or more types of medication and calling for compulsory justification of these situations
According to Pereira Miguel, the coordinator of the inter-ministerial working group on the Strategy for Active and Healthy Aging, the idea is not to establish a limit for prescription or medication, nor to overload doctors with bureaucratic work.
“We are not saying what the solution is. It is not a closed solution. But it is intended to create a mechanism that warns us about taking more than five medicines,” he told Lusa News Agency, noting that “drugs have interactions between them.”
Dr. Pereira Miguel points out that health professionals should be aware of situations of poly-medication, realising what medicines other specialists have prescribed for their patients.
The National Strategy for Active and Healthy Aging also proposes that some sort of “red flag” be created to signal elderly people that need closer supervision, such as people who are more likely to use emergency rooms or who often don’t show up for appointments or those showing signs of neglect
This measure goes beyond the health sector and should involve local authorities, the police and other security forces, and the Portuguese Association for Victim Support, among other entities.
The document which is due to be put up for public consultation on Tuesday also calls for the establishment of a health monitoring programme for the elderly.
In this programme, regular assessments “for the early detection of functional deficits, psychic deficits or chronic diseases from the age of 50,” should be encouraged, taking into account the particular needs of men and women.
In the case of patients with various pathologies the strategy suggests the adoption of an individual plan of care.
The Strategy for Active and Healthy Aging outlines measures involving various sectors, from Health and Education through to Solidarity and Social Security. Therefore, Pereira Miguel proposes the creation of an inter-ministerial commission to supervise and monitor what is being done and implemented.