Older Adults' Views About "Managing Your Medications" Booklet

The objectives were to evaluate Managing Your Medications (MYM) booklet to improve medication management. Mailed packets, including MYM booklet and 4-page survey assessing comprehensibility, communicative effectiveness, and usefulness, were sent to a random sample of 250 older adults. The survey included perceptions of booklet, how to disseminate, and respondent’s health history. Descriptive statistics were used, and individuals were stratified by number of prescription medications and whether they reported side effects. A 59.6% response rate was obtained. The readability was Grade 8. Older adults reported it was comprehensible and 17% reported behavioral intentions to change their current actions regarding medications. Overall, 12.7% of respondents agreed that MYM changed their opinion of the topic. The most popular means to disseminate were doctors’ offices and senior citizens’ centers. Most older adults indicated the MYM booklet was readable, comprehensible, and would generate some behavior change regarding medication management.

Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 12, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Robertson, J., Farris, K. B., Schultz, S. K., Carnahan, R. M., Gryzlak, B., Chrischilles, E. A. Tags: Brief Report Source Type: research