Reducing meds changed Jodie’s world - thanks to eagle-eyed Lifeways team

An eagle-eyed Lifeways team member has transformed the life of a person she supports by helping her identify and cut down on needless medication.

Jodie, 44, has learning difficulties and anxiety and has been supported by Lifeways in her Newcastle flat for several years.

She has gone from being lethargic and anxious to being active and even getting her own mobility car which Lifeways teams drive her around in - all thanks to reducing the medication she was taking.

Jodie had struggled with managing her weight – even though she doesn’t over-eat - and it wasn’t until a recent spate of sleepovers by service manager Geraldine Innes that the root cause was discovered.

“Jodie had really bad anxiety and a lack of energy and, even though she didn’t eat much during the day, she was not able to lose weight,” Geraldine said.

“Over a few nights, I observed her routine and habits really closely and couldn’t see an obvious reason for the weight gain so I started thinking about what else it could be.”

This got Geraldine looking into the six types of medication Jodie was taking to manage a variety of conditions, including epilepsy. 

Geraldine said: “I arranged to speak with her psychiatrist and GP and we came to the agreement that some of the medication she was taking was unnecessary and was actually doing more harm than good.

“So, after careful consultation, we have gradually reduced her medications to just one dose of an anxiety medication.”

The impact has been incredible. Jodie has more energy, is out and about more in her mobility car and her anxiety has reduced.

“She’s one hundred times better in her health and wellbeing,” Geraldine said. “She’s got more energy, doing more things in her daily life and is doing a lot better in every aspect. She’s also not as anxious as she used to be.”

WATCH: See how Jodie’s life has changed thanks to support from her Lifeways team.

Karen Roberts, Group Head of Health & Clinical Governance at Lifeways, said: "Lifeways staff undertake STOMP training and this story is a great example of it in practice. It also demonstrates the importance of regular medication reviews with the health professionals.”

STOMP is an NHS project which aims to stop the over-medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both – especially the prescription of psychotropic drugs.  

These medicines are used to treat mental health conditions but they are sometimes given to people because their behaviour is seen as challenging. Geraldine added: “Hopefully Jodie’s story will help other care and support colleagues stop and think about whether medications are helping or harming the people they support.”