Recognising and managing early dementia

Dementia (mate wareware - see below) is a growing healthcare...

Age-related cognitive decline: prevention and future planning

Declining cognitive function can be a difficult topic to raise...

Dialling back treatment intensity for older people with type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes management in older people can be complex due...

Managing constipation in older people

Constipation is common in older people due to factors such as...

Prescribing for a trial period: when and how?

When initiating or changing the dose of a medicine, simple changes...

Bisphosphonates: addressing the duration conundrum

Bisphosphonates accumulate within bone tissue where they help...

Stopping proton pump inhibitors in older people

Over one-third of people aged 65 years and older in New Zealand...

Stopping medicines in older people: the flip side of the prescribing equation

Older people are generally prescribed more medicines than younger...

Frailty in older people: a discussion

The concept of frailty identifies vulnerable people who have...

News item: Discussion on Zostavax

Since publication of our article on Zostavax vaccine in March,...

Zostavax vaccine: now fully subsidised

Zostavax is a herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine that will become...

Managing pain in osteoarthritis: focus on the person

The progression of osteoarthritis varies from person to person....

Polypharmacy Update

This report provides prescribers with details about patients...

Testosterone use in older males

Age-related macular degeneration: what should a general practitioner know?

Age-related macular degeneration – what should a General Practitioner know?

Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive condition...

Research Update: Testosterone use and cardiovascular risk in older males

In the previous edition of Best Practice Journal, we covered...

Prescribing testosterone in ageing males: why you shouldn’t read this article

Testosterone supplementation may be an appropriate treatment...

“Steady as she goes”: helping older people Stay Independent

This month we release a range of resources aimed at falls prevention...

A pragmatic guide to asymptomatic bacteriuria and testing for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in people aged over 65 years

Asymptomatic bacteriuria and urinary tract infections (UTIs)...

Prevention is better than cure: five tips for keeping older people healthy and out of hospital during winter

With winter upon us it is a timely reminder of the importance...

Stand up to falls - April Falls month and the Health Quality & Safety Commission’s reducing harm from falls campaign

Contributed by the Health Quality & Safety Commission

The Year in Review - What did we learn in 2014?

In 2014 we published over 60 medical education articles in Best...

Medicine updates

Two newly funded medicines for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary...

Polypharmacy

Polypharmacy is a marker of potential problematic prescribing....

Polypharmacy in primary care: Managing a clinical conundrum

Polypharmacy can be appropriate and beneficial for patients....

Vulvovaginal health in post-menopausal women

Age-related changes in women can result in an increased occurrence...

“Seventh age itch”: Preventing and managing dry skin in older people

As skin ages, increased transepidermal water loss leads to dry...

Upfront: Responding to the challenge of falls in older people

Contributed by the Health Quality & Safety Commission

The diagnosis and management of herpes zoster and its complications

Herpes zoster (shingles) is a self-limiting condition caused...

The management of Parkinson’s disease: Which treatments to start and when?

The treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease usually involves...

Managing patients with dementia: What is the role of antipsychotics?

Concerns have been raised, both in New Zealand and internationally,...

Giant cell arteritis: Always keep it in your head

Giant cell arteritis, also referred to as temporal arteritis,...

Polypharmacy in people aged over 75 years

This report focuses on continuous polypharmacy, which is the...

Managing medicines in older people

It is increasingly recognised that health care for older people...

Monitoring diabetes in people over 75

In the March 2012 issue of Best Tests, bpacnz published an article...

Age-related testosterone decline in males

Testosterone levels naturally decline with age in males. Some...

Testing for CVD, diabetes and renal disease in elderly people

Consideration of laboratory testing and interpretation of subsequent...

A primary care approach to sodium and potassium imbalance

Interpreting and managing a laboratory result of abnormal sodium...

Treatment for the dying patient: The Liverpool Care pathway

This article has been removed as the Liverpool Care Pathway...

Vitamin D supplementation: Navigating the debate

Despite the increasing focus on vitamin D levels and claimed...

Strategies to improve nutrition in elderly people

The incidence and impact of malnutrition in older people is...

Prescription Kitchen videos

Links to video files of the TV show broadcast on Sky channel...

The warfarin dilemma

Evidence suggests that warfarin is under utilised in older people....

The pharmacological management of Alzheimer’s disease: The place of donepezil

From November 1, 2010 donepezil will be funded without Special...

Snippets: Dextropropoxyphene & Donepezil

Donepezil to be funded on pharmaceutical schedule | Dextropropoxyphene...

Upfront: When is enough enough? Stopping medicines in older people

In New Zealand, it is estimated that 30% of people aged over...

A practical guide to stopping medicines in older people

The majority of older people who require drug therapy take multiple...

Antipsychotics in people with dementia: an update

The Antipsychotics in Dementia (A4D) programme was launched...

Driving rules and assessment for older people

The incidence of medical conditions that can affect safe driving...

Falls in older people: causes and prevention

Approximately one-third of New Zealander’s aged over 65...

Secondary stroke prevention

People who have had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack are...

Having a senior moment?

Differentiating normal age-related memory loss from early onset...

Antipsychotics for dementia

Notification and details of an educational programme on the...

Strategies to improve nutrition in elderly people

Many older people suffer from the “anorexia of ageing”....

Antioxidants and ageing: harmless placebo or dangerous to your health?

A new study suggests that taking antioxidant supplements, especially...

Dilemmas: Alternative remedies and lifestyle measures for longevity

The development and marketing of anti-ageing products is a multi-million...

Dilemmas: Depression in elderly people

Depression in elderly people can be a significant cause of disability...

Dilemmas: Exploring the everyday experiences of older Māori and their medication

When prescribing for older Māori people, it is important...

Dilemmas: Managing cardiovascular risk in elderly people

Older people have a higher cardiovascular risk and therefore...

Dilemmas: Principles of prescribing for elderly people

Several key principles should be considered when prescribing...

Dilemmas: Recognition and treatment of pain in elderly people

Chronic pain is common in elderly people, however it is often...

Dilemmas: Why is it difficult

Prescribing for elderly people is difficult because the risks...

Upfront: Impacts of an ageing population on New Zealand society

A Māori perspective on impacts on New Zealand society of...

Upfront: The manner of our Dying

Preventive health care aims to prevent premature deaths and...

Parkinson's disease

Covers diagnosis and management of Parkinson's disease

Practice Debate: antipsychotics in the treatment of dementia

This article covers the role and safety concerns of antipsychotics...

Polypharmacy at the Primary-Secondary interface

Polypharmacy due to multiple physician involvement in patient...

Nocturnal leg cramps: is there any relief?

Nocturnal leg cramps are common, particularly in older people...