Pharmacist consultations: simplifying daily drug regimens and providing education on fall risk for older adults

To evaluate whether a medication review by a pharmacist in the community can simplify an older adult's daily drug regimen and improve awareness of medication-related fall risk.

Pre- and posttest with follow-up design.

Senior centers, senior housing facilities, and community centers in Massachusetts.

Older adults who attended a pharmacy outreach program at a community center.

Participants engaged in a one-time, face-to-face, medication therapy management (MTM) session. The pharmacists made recommendations to simplify daily drug regimens for best therapeutic results. The participants were educated regarding the influence that medications may have on fall risk.

For the 75 participants, daily dose regimens were significantly reduced. From the presurvey to the follow-up surveys, there was a significant increase of participants taking medication three times or fewer per day (73% to 85%) versus those participants taking medications more than three times per day (P = 0.041). Through MTM consultations, participants' awareness that medications may be a contributing factor to fall risk was increased from 28% in the presurvey to 56% in the postsurvey (P = 0.0018).

A pharmacist consultation can simplify the daily drug regimen. Furthermore, consultant pharmacists can educate patients regarding the risk that medications may have on falls.