From confusion to clarity - understanding medicines in dementia
| Saturday, March 28, 2026 |
| 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM |
| Sir Charles Todd Ballroom 1 |
Overview
Dee-Anne Hull and Nicola Sander | Dementia Support Pharmacists - PSA
Details
Dementia affects thinking, memory, and daily functioning, yet medicines are only one part of its management. In Australia, an estimated 433,300 people are living with all forms of dementia (Dementia Australia, 2025).
This session explores how pharmacists can support people living with dementia by understanding strategies that promote brain health and by confidently navigating the medicines used for symptom relief and progression management. Participants will examine commonly prescribed medicines, when they may be appropriate, and when they may pose increased risk. The session also highlights how medication review, deprescribing, and person-centred care can improve safety and quality of life.
Learning objectives:
• Describe strategies that support and promote brain health
• Discuss medicines used to provide symptom relief and delay progression in dementia
• Identify medications that may be potentially inappropriate or high-risk in people living with dementia
Competency standards (2016): 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3
Speaker
Dee-Anne Hull
Dementia Support Pharmacist
PSA
From confusion to clarity - understanding medicines in dementia care
Biography
Dee-Anne Hull is a credentialed pharmacist working as a PSA Dementia Support Pharmacist in a program funded by Country SA PHN, providing specialised dementia medication management to those living with dementia within country South Australia. Dee has a passion for interdisciplinary care to support all patients and values the link between prescribers, pharmacists and patients, along with their families in both the current and future Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) models to aim for the best clinical outcomes for all. Dee's previous aged care experience along with her strong passion for equitable dementia care, only increases advocacy work she does for high-risk populations and having pharmacists wherever medicines are used.
Nicola Sander
Dementia Support Pharmacist
PSA
From confusion to clarity - understanding medicines in dementia care
Biography
Nicola Sander is a committed credentialed MMR and ACOP pharmacist and diabetes educator with experience in hospital, community and aged care environments. Nicola has been a pharmacy owner and director in a pharmacy that specialises in provision of medication related services to aged care clients and was involved with numerous different facilities where she sat on their Medication Advisory Committees and assisted them in managing their medication related issues. She is passionate in improving the lives of the older generation by empowering them to manage their medicines appropriately and minimising medication related harm. Along with her work as a PSA Dementia Support Pharmacist funded by Country SA PHN, Nicola also works with a provider of RMMR and Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) services to aged care clients where she has enhanced her clinical skills. She thrives on working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams to discuss medications, and medication-related problems. She enjoys educating patients, carers and health providers on medication therapies.