Caregiver-Based Interventions to Optimize Medication Safety in Vulnerable Elderly Adults: A Systematic Evidence-Based...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Pharmacology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Medication safety is a critical concern for older adults with chronic diseases.
• Caregivers play a vital role in managing medications for older adults.
• Existing interventions often focus on patients, with less emphasis on caregiver support for medication safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review caregiver-focused interventions aimed at improving medication safety in older adults with chronic diseases.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions on caregiver outcomes and, where reported, clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of studies published before January 31, 2017.
• Searched multiple databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar.
• Included studies focused on caregivers and medication safety in older adults, with a comparison group.

Main Results:

• Eight studies met inclusion criteria, utilizing randomized and quasi-experimental designs.
• Interventions varied, including pharmacist medication reviews, educational DVDs, and collaborative case management.
• Some interventions improved caregiver satisfaction, self-efficacy, and reduced perceived burden, but effects on clinical outcomes were mixed or not significant.

Conclusions:

• Caregiver-focused interventions show potential for enhancing medication knowledge and self-efficacy.
• Evidence for significant impact on clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization remains limited and requires further investigation.
• Collaborative care models with medication management components warrant further study for medication safety in older adults.