Integrating Medication Management and Access, Medicare Counseling, and Tailored Referrals: Planning to Scale a...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Medication-related challenges significantly impact senior health and well-being.
• Community-based programs are crucial for addressing the complex needs of older adults.
• Existing healthcare models may not fully support medication adherence and access for seniors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the Senior PharmAssist (SPA) model, a community-based program designed to address medication-related challenges in seniors.
• To outline the integrated services offered by SPA, including medication therapy management, financial assistance, community referrals, and Medicare counseling.
• To detail the process of adapting the SPA program for implementation in diverse community settings.

Main Methods:

• Development of the SPA model through expert input and community feedback.
• Selection of pilot sites for program adaptation and evaluation.
• Articulation of the SPA program's integrated service delivery framework.

Main Results:

• The SPA model successfully integrated four key services: medication therapy management, financial assistance, community referrals, and Medicare coverage counseling.
• Expert and community input were instrumental in refining the SPA program's structure and services.
• A framework was established for adapting the SPA model to new community contexts.

Conclusions:

• The Senior PharmAssist program provides a comprehensive, community-based approach to mitigating medication-related challenges for seniors.
• The integrated service model demonstrates potential for scalability and adaptation to various community needs.
• Further research and implementation are warranted to assess the long-term impact of SPA on senior health outcomes.