Nursing

CNE Article

Improving Medication Management Among At-Risk Older Adults

Delinda Martin, DNP, RN; Sunil Kripalani, MD, MSc; V.J. DuRapau, Jr., PhD

Abstract

Low health literacy is common among Medicare recipients and affects their understanding of complex medication regimens. Interventions are needed to improve medication use among older adults, while addressing low health literacy. Community-dwelling older adults in this study were enrolled at an inner-city adult day center. They completed a baseline measure of health literacy, medication self-efficacy, and medication adherence. They were provided with a personalized, illustrated daily medication schedule (PictureRx™). Six weeks later, their medication self-efficacy and adherence were assessed. Among the 20 participants in this pilot project, 70% had high likelihood of limited health literacy and took an average of 13.20 prescription medications. Both self-efficacy and medication adherence increased significantly after provision of the PictureRx cards (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). All participants rated the PictureRx cards as very helpful in terms of helping them remember the medication’s purpose and dosing. Illustrated daily medication schedules improve medication self-efficacy and adherence among at-risk, community-dwelling older adults.

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AUTHORS

Dr. Martin is Assistant Professor of Nursing, Department of Nursing and Allied Health, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. DuRapau is Professor Emeritus, Department of Mathematics, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Dr. Kripalani is Chief of Hospital Medicine and Associate Director of the Effective Health Communication Program, Division of General Internal Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.

Drs. Martin and DuRapau disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support. Dr. Kripalani is a consultant to and holds equity in PictureRx, LLC. The terms of this agreement were reviewed and approved by Vanderbilt University in accordance with its conflict of interest policies.

Address correspondence to Delinda Martin, DNP, RN, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Department of Nursing and Allied Health, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, 4123 Woodland Drive, New Orleans, LA 70131-7399; e-mail: demartin@olhcc.edu

doi: 10.3928/00989134-20120509-01

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