An initiative led by researchers from the RISE-Health Research Unit was one of the projects recognised at the 8th edition of the Centre Region Award for Good Practices in Active and Healthy Ageing.

On 10 December, at the 8th edition of the Centre Region Award for Good Practices in Active and Healthy Ageing, the scientific project ‘Deprescribing in the Elderly’, led by Oscar Ribeiro, researcher at RISE-Health@RISE/University of Aveiro, Manuel Veríssimo from iCBR/Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, and developed by Anabela Pereira, also a researcher at RISE-Health/University of Aveiro, was distinguished in the ‘Knowledge+’ category.

Through this project, the team of experts analysed the attitudes of patients and doctors towards the safe reduction of medication, contributing to the fight against polypharmacy at national level.

‘This recognition has a very special meaning for me. First and foremost, it represents the recognition of research work carried out as part of the Doctoral Programme in Gerontology and Geriatrics, focusing on a demanding topic, but absolutely central to contemporary clinical practice: deprescribing in the elderly,‘ reveals researcher Anabela Pereira, adding that ’this award also highlights that the management of inappropriate polypharmacy is a growing concern in Portuguese society and that deprescribing has a real and positive impact on the safety and well-being of older people.”

It should be noted that the Central Region Good Practice Awards for Active and Healthy Ageing are an initiative promoted by the Regional Coordination and Development Commission – Centre in collaboration with the Ageing@Coimbra and AgeINfuture consortia. This year, the 8th edition received 161 applications and recognised five initiatives for their innovation and impact in promoting active ageing.