Pharmacy patronage among the elderly: selected racial and geographical patterns

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Pharmacy Practice
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The United States is experiencing a growing elderly population facing increased health issues and mobility challenges.
• Nearly half of older adults require prescription medications for daily living activities.
• Understanding pharmacy patronage is crucial for this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine pharmacy patronage patterns among a sample of elderly individuals.
• To assess the perceived importance of neighborhood pharmacies versus actual usage.
• To reevaluate traditional concepts of convenience and neighborhood in elderly pharmacy choices.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of pharmacy patronage patterns within a selected sample of elderly individuals.
• Comparison of perceived importance of neighborhood pharmacies with geographical convenience.
• Examination of travel distances and satisfaction levels for prescription purchases.

Main Results:

• The percentage of elderly requiring prescriptions aligns with national estimates.
• No significant difference in prescription needs was found between racial groups.
• While neighborhood pharmacies are valued, most elderly do not use the most convenient ones, yet express satisfaction with travel distances.

Conclusions:

• Elderly pharmacy patronage patterns suggest a need to reconsider conventional notions of convenience and neighborhood.
• Observed travel behaviors challenge traditional assumptions about the elderly's pharmacy journey.
• Further research into the factors influencing elderly pharmacy selection is warranted.