Guides for families managing a parent’s medicines
I wrote these after years of the same conversation, in different kitchens, with different families, about the same worry: is Mum or Dad on too many tablets, and how would you even know? Nothing here replaces your family member’s own GP or pharmacist — it’s the plain-language version of things I explain out loud every week, from a pharmacist in Craigieburn.
The first ten guides are written and in final review — they publish here shortly. Can’t wait? Get in touch and ask me directly.
7 signs your parent may be on too many medicines
Everyday things you might notice before anyone calls it polypharmacy.
Medicine side effects or dementia? What families should know
Confusion and memory changes aren’t always what they seem — medicines are worth ruling out first.
How to organise a medication review for your parent (Australia)
What a Home Medicines Review actually involves, and the steps to get one arranged.
Home from hospital: the riskiest weeks for your parent’s medicines
Why medicine lists get muddled after a hospital stay, and what to check first.
10 questions worth asking about your parent’s medicines
Simple questions to bring along to their next GP or pharmacy visit.
Falls and medicines: the connection families should know about
Some medicines make a fall more likely — here’s how a review looks for them.
Webster packs help — but they don’t fix everything
What a pre-packed dose really solves, and what it can quietly hide.
Polypharmacy: when five or more medicines deserve a second look
The plain-language explanation of a term your parent’s GP might use.
What the research says about Home Medicines Reviews
A straight look at the evidence behind the program, sources included.
When English isn’t the language of the medicine cabinet
Why a review in your parent’s own language changes what actually gets said.
Take the worry off your list.
Tell me what’s going on with your parent’s medicines — I’ll call you back, usually the same day, and we’ll work out the next step together.