Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Medication Intervention for Older Adults

Interventions to address polypharmacy and improve adherence are insufficient for community-dwelling older adults. To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a tailored medication management intervention (TIMM) to decrease inappropriate polypharmacy and improve medication management in community-dwelling older adults. We completed a single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. The intervention group received TIMM, including a comprehensive medication review by a pharmacist and an in-home intervention by an occupational therapist. About 78.8% of participants completed the study (n = 26). TIMM participants adhered to treatment recommendations from the occupational therapist (94%) and pharmacist (58%). At 6 months, TIMM participants experienced a significant reduction in medication management barriers (p < .01) and improvement in performance (p < .01). No significant differences were found between groups in reducing inappropriate medications (p = .302) or adherence (p = .458). TIMM is a feasible and acceptable intervention for community-dwelling older adults. It reduces barriers to medication management and improves medication management.