The answer is always yes! Here’s why you should have that conversation…
For many people living with memory problems or cognitive impairment, medicine reviews don’t always happen.
“Research suggests that 82.7% people with memory problems are exposed to medicines that may not be appropriate for them.“
These medicines may result in causing more potential harm than possible benefit. What can medicine-related harm look like?
Over time, your health priorities can change.
A medicine that once made sense may eventually become less aligned with what you value most —like staying active, feeling comfortable, and avoiding side effects. That’s why it’s so important to regularly review medicines with your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
We’ve heard from people that they often feel worried that their concerns won’t be taken seriouslyor that “it is hard to bring the conversation up.” But the truth is, you don’t need much to start the conversation. What you need is a simple, supportive way to do it.
This is exactly why we developed the PRIME tool.
What is the PRIME tool?
The PRIME tool is a conversation-starter tool we co-designed with consumers for consumers. It is designed to support consumers, older people, people living with dementia or their carers, to start a conversation about reviewing their medicines with their health professional.
Put simply, the PRIME tool helps you determine what matters most to you now, how you feel about your medicines and wellbeing and prepares you to have a conversation about your medicines with your healthcare professional.
How was the PRIME tool developed?
We worked with six consumers (people living with dementia and carers) and five healthcare professionals to co-design the PRIME tool. We tested the readability of the tool with 35 consumers and improved how it looks and how it reads based on consumer feedback. To read more about how the tool was co-designed, check out this 2026 free-to-access article.
How can you access and use the PRIME tool?
You can access the PRIME tool in a few formats. You can either:
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- Download a tri-fold brochure to fill out before your next medical appointment
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- Complete an online tool and send the results to yourself, a family member, friend or healthcare professional
How can you use your PRIME tool?
Using the PRIME tool is easy. Simply follow these three steps:
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- Access it by clicking here or visiting this link: https://kindmeds.org/prime-tool-landing-page/
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- Choose to download or complete the tool online. The tool is available in multiple languages so you can use it in the language you most prefer
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- Complete it and take the brochure with you to your next medical appointment or medicine review to discuss with your pharmacist, doctor or healthcare professional. If you choose to complete it online, you can share your results via e-mail to yourself, your carer, family member, friend or healthcare professional.
