Struggling to help an NDIS participant take their medications safely? You’re not alone. Many individuals with disabilities experience swallowing difficulties, making medication intake a daily challenge. As an NDIS carer, disability support provider, or allied health professional, you play a crucial role in ensuring that participants receive their medications safely, comfortably, and effectively. 

But what if a simple change could make medication swallowing easier, reduce risks, and improve compliance? This guide explores best practices for medication management in NDIS care, common challenges, and how Gloup®—a medication lubricant—can be a game-changer for those with swallowing difficulties. 

Understanding NDIS Medication Management Requirements 

Medication safety is a key responsibility for NDIS carers and providers. The NDIS Practice Standards set clear guidelines for storing, administering, and monitoring medications, ensuring that participants receive consistent and safe care. 

Key Responsibilities for NDIS Carers & Providers: 

1. Accurate Documentation – Keeping detailed medication records, including dosages, administration methods, and responses. 
2. Proper Training – Ensuring carers understand how to administer medications safely and identify potential side effects. 
3. Safe Storage – Keeping medications in secure locations to prevent misuse or accidental ingestion. 
4. Participant Involvement – Encouraging NDIS participants to understand their medications and voice concerns. 

By following these best practices, carers can reduce medication errors and ensure compliance with NDIS regulations. 

Why Medication Intake is a Struggle for Many NDIS Participants 

For many NDIS participants, taking medication isn’t as simple as swallowing a tablet with a glass of water. Why? Because a range of physical, cognitive, and sensory challenges can make medication intake difficult or even unsafe. 

Here are some of the most common reasons why medication intake is a struggle for NDIS participants: 

1. Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia) 

Many individuals with disabilities experience dysphagia, a condition that makes swallowing difficult or painful. This can be due to: 

• Neurological conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke) that weaken the muscles involved in swallowing. 
• Developmental disabilities that affect oral motor control. 
• Aging or muscle deterioration, leading to reduced swallowing coordination. 

Impact: 

• Choking Hazards – Difficulty swallowing increases the risk of choking and aspiration (when food, liquid, or medication enters the lungs instead of the stomach). 
• Medication Avoidance – Fear of choking or discomfort may lead to skipped doses, affecting treatment outcomes. 

2. Sensory Sensitivities & Texture Issues 

Some individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other sensory processing conditions have heightened sensitivity to textures, tastes, and smells. Certain tablets may feel too large, rough, or bitter, triggering gag reflexes or aversions. 

Impact: 

• Inconsistent Medication Adherence – Participants may refuse medication due to discomfort, leading to missed doses and reduced effectiveness of treatment. 
• Stress & Anxiety – Repeated negative experiences with medication can create long-term anxiety around taking pills. 

3. Physical Limitations & Fine Motor Challenges 

NDIS participants with physical disabilities may have difficulty handling small tablets or opening medication packaging due to conditions like: 

• Limited hand coordination (e.g., quadriplegia, arthritis, or tremors). 
• Muscle weakness that makes it difficult to bring a cup of water to the mouth. 

Impact: 

• Delayed Medication Intake – Participants may need additional support just to take their medication, leading to inconsistencies. 
• Increased Risk of Spills & Wastage – Dropped or lost tablets mean incorrect dosing, which can impact treatment. 

4. Medication Formulation Issues 

Not all medications are designed for easy swallowing. Some tablets are: 

• Large or bulky, making them difficult to swallow. 
• Bitter or unpalatable, leading to rejection. 
• Meant to be taken whole, meaning they cannot be crushed or mixed with food. 

Impact: 

• Reduced Effectiveness – Some medications don’t work properly when crushed, mixed with food, or dissolved in water. 
• Digestive Issues – Medications with protective coatings may cause stomach irritation if altered. 

Best Practices for Safer Medication Administration in NDIS Care 

To help NDIS participants take their medications safely and effectively, consider these strategies: 

1. Get a Swallowing Assessment 

Before making any changes to a participant’s medication routine, work with a healthcare professional or pharmacist to assess their ability to swallow. If dysphagia is present, alternative solutions may be required. 

2. Explore Alternative Medication Forms 

Not all medications have to be swallowed as tablets. Speak with a doctor or pharmacist about options like: 

• Liquid medications – Easier to swallow than solid tablets. 
• Dispersible tablets – Dissolve in water for easier intake. 
• Patches or injections – Alternative forms that don’t require swallowing. 

3. Never Crush or Open Medications Without Checking First 

Many tablets and capsules are designed to work exactly as they are. Crushing or opening them can: 

• Cause the medication to be absorbed too quickly, leading to side effects. 
• Damage protective coatings that prevent stomach irritation. 
• Make the medication less effective or completely inactive. 
• Instead of modifying medications, use safe swallowing solutions like Gloup®. 

The Next Step: Make Medication Swallowing Safer & Easier 

If an NDIS participant struggles to swallow tablets, Gloup® provides a simple and effective solution as the first and only medication lubricant available in Australia. Unlike mixing medication with food or crushing pills, Gloup® is specifically designed to help tablets glide down smoothly without altering their effectiveness. 

What Makes Gloup® Different? 

• Breaks Down Quickly – Designed to dissolve in the stomach with minimal impact on medication absorption. 
• 100% Natural Ingredients – Free from gluten, lactose, and artificial additives. 
• Pleasant Taste – Available in raspberry, orange, strawberry/banana, and vanilla to mask the taste of medications. 
• Medical-Grade Safety – Registered as a Class 1 Medical Device, making it safe for use with most medications. 
• No More Food Interference – Unlike yoghurt or applesauce, Gloup® does not affect medication absorption. 

How Gloup® Supports NDIS Participants 

• Helps reduce the fear and discomfort of taking medication. 
• Minimises choking risks for those with swallowing difficulties. 
• Promotes better medication adherence for long-term health. 

Want to improve medication intake for an NDIS participant? Try Gloup® today—available in 500ml and 150ml bottles here at Platinum Health Supply. 

Empower NDIS Participants with Easier Medication Intake 

Managing medication for NDIS participants comes with unique challenges, from swallowing difficulties to sensory sensitivities and physical limitations. As a carer or provider, ensuring safe and comfortable medication intake is essential to improving participants' well-being and quality of life. 

If swallowing tablets or capsules is a challenge, Gloup® offers a simple, safe, and effective solution. Unlike crushing pills or mixing them with food—both of which can alter medication effectiveness—Gloup® ensures medications are swallowed smoothly without impact on absorption. 

Support NDIS participants with safe medication intake. Try Gloup® today and order here at Platinum Health Supply!