Dementia Friendly Pharmacy

A trip to the pharmacy can be confusing and stressful for someone living with dementia, and exhausting for the person caring for them. A dementia friendly pharmacy is one that has prepared for this: its team understands dementia, communicates patiently, and offers practical help so managing medicines is safer and less overwhelming for everyone involved.

What is a dementia friendly pharmacy?

It is a community pharmacy whose staff have learned about dementia and how to support people living with it and their carers. That shows up in small but meaningful ways: clear, patient communication, a calmer approach at the counter, practical help with medicines, and an understanding that a person with dementia, and their carer, may need a little more time and flexibility. The goal is to make the pharmacy approachable and supportive rather than another source of stress.

How it helps

Support can include:

• Patient, respectful communication that gives the person time, avoids overwhelming them, and includes them in their care.
• Medicine management help, such as Dose Administration Aids (packing medicines by day and time), reminders, and clear written instructions, which reduce missed or doubled doses.
• Carer support, including taking time to explain medicines to the person doing the day-to-day caring, and answering questions without rushing.
• A calmer environment and familiar faces, since consistency and routine help people with dementia.
• Connecting to further help, including pointing carers to dementia support services.

Who is it for?

It is for people living with dementia at any stage, and just as importantly for the family members and carers who manage much of their day-to-day care, including medicines. Whether the person lives at home or in care, a dementia friendly pharmacy can make the medicine side of life more manageable.

For carers

Managing someone else’s medicines is a big responsibility, and dementia adds complexity, changing routines, repeated questions, and the risk of missed or doubled doses. Tell the pharmacist you are caring for someone with dementia; they can set up a Dose Administration Aid, provide a clear medicines list, simplify timing where possible with the GP, and be a steady point of contact. Ask whatever you need to; supporting carers is part of the role. For information and support any time, the National Dementia Helpline (1800 100 500) is free and available 24/7.

A note on safety and changes

A dementia friendly pharmacy supports good medicine use, but it does not replace medical care. Any change in the person’s condition, new confusion, falls, or possible medicine side effects, should be raised with their GP, who may also arrange a medication review (a Home Medicines Review, or a Residential Medication Management Review if they are in aged care) to make sure the medicines are still right. For an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

How it’s regulated in Australia

Dementia friendly pharmacies are community pharmacies regulated by the Pharmacy Board of Australia whose teams have undertaken dementia awareness and support training. The national peak body, Dementia Australia, provides education, resources, and the National Dementia Helpline.

Official sources

• Dementia Australia (National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500)
• Healthdirect: dementia

A little understanding makes a big difference. Use the button below to find a dementia friendly pharmacy near you.