Abstract
This study sought to understand the medication adherence and quality of life (QOL) of recipients of a pharmacist-based medication management program among independently living older adults. Using a cross-sectional, quasi-experimental study design, we compared older adults enrolled in the program to older adults not enrolled in the program. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews in independent-living facilities and in participants’ homes. Independently living older adults who were enrolled in the medication management program (n = 38) were compared to older adults not enrolled in the program (control group (n = 41)). All participants were asked to complete questionnaires on health-related quality of life (QOL, using the SF-36) and medication adherence (using the four-item Morisky scale). The medication management program recipients reported significantly more prescribed medications (p < 0.0001) and were more likely to report living alone (p = 0.01) than the control group. The medication management program recipients had a significantly lower SF-36 physical functioning score (p = 0.03) compared to the control group, although other SF-36 domains and self-reported medication adherence were similar between the groups. Despite taking more medications and more commonly living alone, independent living older adults enrolled in a pharmacist-based medication management program had similar QOL and self-reported medication adherence when compared to older adults not enrolled in the program. This study provides initial evidence for the characteristics of older adults receiving a pharmacist-based medication management program, which may contribute to prolonged independent living and positive health outcomes.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-6-2017
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy5020020
Funding Information
This work was supported in part by the American Pharmacists Association Foundation Knowlton Center for Pharmacist-Based Health Solutions.
Repository Citation
Harlow, Christopher; Hanna, Catherine; Eckmann, Lynne; Gokun, Yevgeniya; Zanjani, Faika; Blumenschein, Karen; and Divine, Holly, "Quality of Life and Medication Adherence of Independently Living Older Adults Enrolled in a Pharmacist-Based Medication Management Program" (2017). Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications. 29.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/pps_facpub/29
Notes/Citation Information
Published in Pharmacy, v. 5, issue 2, 20, p. 1-9.
© 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).