How can we improve medication adherence among elderly patients?
Further research is needed to discover the full value of regular medication reviews for medication adherence and the most feasible method of implementing them within the US healthcare system. Third, participants recommended implementation of informal and formal community-based support systems to facilitate medication adherence among elders.
Is technology the answer to keeping the elderly healthy?
Technology could provide the answer to keeping elderly Americans healthier, at home, and independent as they age. Two areas are already pioneering the way: medication management and telemedicine. As we age, we rely on medications to maintain and improve our health.
How does technology affect medication adherence?
It's estimated that medication management technology increases adherence by 40%, potentially saving 50,000 lives and $120 billion each year. Telemedicine and video conferencing make a huge impact on the health of older adults who use it.
Can elder-friendly technology level the health care field?
Adopting elder-friendly technologies may level the health care playing field as shortages loom in the number of professionals equipped to care for older adults. Older adults often say that technology is the realm of the young. Statistically, it's true that people under the age of 65 use digital devices to a greater extent.
How can technology help elderly?
Technological advances that can directly benefit the elderly and help promote aging in place include remote sensors, connected scales and blood pressure cuffs and remote glucose monitors. There are also apps for medication adherence, voice command technologies, predictive analytics and telemedicine.
What technology and technological applications might be used by people who provide services to older people?
The use of a neurofeedback headband, an accessible computer system, a wristband with pedometer, a biofeedback device and an online video platform can bring added value to ageing in place for healthy older adults. A patient-centred approach for developing, implementing and evaluating technology benefits ageing in place.
Can technology improve ability to age in place?
The growth of general purpose and healthcare-related technologies has created the potential to help more older adults to age in place. Living independently is preferred by older adults and smart technologies like IoT, AI, and AAL can provide the necessary assistance.
What is self management in older adults?
Self-management is proposed as one of the ways in which older people can more actively manage their own ageing process by increasing the availability of coping resources, and as a consequence, their well-being is increased and maintained as long as possible (Steverink et al. 2005).
How does technology affect the elderly?
Seniors and technology Many seniors struggle with touch screens due to a condition called leathery fingers. Many seniors experience reduced mobility and a lower income, which makes it more challenging to meet friends in person.
How technology can help the elderly age in place at home?
Voice-activated, hands-free devices can perform a large and ever-increasing number of tasks to help seniors with everyday life, such as:turning on lights to keep seniors from stumbling in a dark room.controlling thermostats.making calls to friends and family.ordering a pizza or groceries.
How can technology help us meet the needs of our ageing society?
Connected, 'cognitive homes', wearables and smartphones are also enabling older people to manage their long-term conditions more effectively, and allow health and human services to be delivered remotely.
What can technology improve?
5 Ways Technology Has Improved Our Quality Of LifeCommunication Is More Convenient. Nowadays, there are various means available for everyone to communicate with each other. ... The Healthcare Industry Became More Efficient. ... Access To Information Is Easier. ... Advancements In Medicine. ... Better Opportunities For Learning.
What technology is available to older adults?
New devices that use VR, robotics and other technologies have hit the market that help the elderly live longer, healthier lives. These innovations include VR headsets for seniors with Alzheimer's and cloud-enabled fall detection watches.
How can technology improve patient care?
How technology can improve patient care and adherence 1 Patients losing their prescriptions 2 Patients not adhering to their medication 3 Lack of follow-ups from patients 4 Not refilling prescriptions on time
Why is telemedicine not adherence?
Telemedicine. Non-adherence can also be attributed to lack of communication and understanding . Studies reported that 40% to 60% of patients could not correctly recall what their physicians expected of them 10 to 80 minutes after they instructed.
Why is home monitoring important?
This forces them to be conscientious about their health and stay committed to their care plan. Remote monitoring of health also calls for an equal partnership between provider and patients for feedback and action. This ability to collaborate and stay connected with their providers has helped patients immensely and has reduced non-adherence.
What is patient education?
Patient education through the mobile is an effective means of informing patients about their care – information about their health condition, treatment plan, prognosis and latest news can be broadcasted to patients.
Why do we need to keep track of health records?
Electronic Health Records. Keeping track of health records and making them accessible to your patients is another way to ensure better patient adherence. Tying your EHR with e-prescriptions means that you can show patients how their health is improving with treatment or medication.
How does telehealth help patients?
Telehealth solutions facilitate better patient engagement by making providers accessible to their patients more easily. A video consultation or even asking a health question is an easier alternative for patients, one that would likely help build trust in their providers and improve adherence.
Why is sensitive communication important in mHealth?
However, sensitive health communication requires an exclusive channel in order to respect the confidentiality of the provider-patient interaction. mHealth applications provide suitable solutions and services to users (providers and patients), allowing them to connect, communicate and care.
How to help older adults adopt technology?
The answer comes in three stages, the first of which is education. The best way to help elders adopt health care technology is to teach them how to use it. It's time for our industry to take an active interest in educating older adults about technology because the interest is there.
Why are older people hesitant to use technology?
Unfortunately, many older adults are hesitant about embracing technology. Some older adults' hesitation stems from a lack of comfort or confidence in using devices. In fact, according to Pew Research, more than 77% of Americans over the age of 65 say they need help using their computers, smartphones, or tablets.
What is medication adherence?
Medication adherence is a serious problem that might have a simple solution. Medication management apps and pill dispensers ensure that older adults follow their medication schedules. These technologies prompt users to take their measured doses at the prescribed times.
How much does medication management technology save lives?
It's estimated that medication management technology increases adherence by 40%, potentially saving 50,000 lives and $120 billion each year. Telemedicine and video conferencing make a huge impact on the health of older adults who use it.
Why do older people not want to ask for help?
However, most older adults admit they don't want to ask for help, fearing that they'll be a nuisance, look foolish, or be talked down to.
How many people will be over 50 in 2020?
As America ages, it's estimated that by 2020, nearly 40% of the country's population will be over the age of 50. Although the increasing number of older adults presents many challenges, one of the most intimidating concerns focuses on health care. Studies predict that by 2025, the United States will experience a massive shortage ...
Where can older adults get free computer classes?
There are ways for older adults to access the education they need. Communities often provide computer classes in senior living centers, community centers, and libraries. For those who want more formal training, most states, colleges, and universities offer free tuition benefits for older adults.
What are the barriers to medication adherence?
Two common barriers to medication adherence were forgetting to take the medication and/or a change in routine that resulted in failure to take the medication. One participant described a situation in which she might forget to take medications: ‘the thing that disrupts me most is when I go out to dinner, out to somebody’s house or a restaurant. Then when I get home I just let it go by until it’s bedtime, and then I remember’ (Female, Focus Group 5). Additionally, participants described difficulty remembering medications to be taken in the middle of the day. For many participants, remembering to take medications upon waking and before sleep was typically not difficult. As one participant said: ‘but they’ll forget that in-between time, that in-between time is difficult’ (Female, Focus Group 2). Others described situations in which they forgot to take their medication upon waking and would not remember to take them until the end of the day. One participant referred to occasionally forgetting whether or not he had taken his medication as having a ‘senior moment’ (Male, Focus Group 5), as if this were a common, and expected, event. Most of the participants had experience with these issues and many had solutions and strategies in place to help alleviate them.
What is medication management?
Medication therapy management is an emerging field in which the pharmacist plays a more active role in medication management. Medication therapy management services include medication therapy reviews, medication safety surveillance, and disease management and support [ 44 ].
How many participants were in the caregiver focus group?
There were 17 participants in the caregiver focus groups and 48 participants in the elder focus groups. See Table I for specific information about each focus group and a description of the communities in which the focus groups were held. Mean participant age was 71 years (range = 48–88 years). Participants were 77% female; and 82% white, 16% black and 2% other. Approximately 95% of participants had at least a high school diploma or Generalized Education Diploma (GED) and 34% a college degree or higher. The majority of participants (77%) was retired. Nearly 98% had some form of insurance, with 46% reporting having Medicare and 38% reporting having a Medicare Advantage plan. See the Table II for additional demographic characteristics of elders and caregivers.
Is medication mismanagement a public health concern?
Medication mismanagement is a growing public health concern, especially among elders. Annually, it is a major contributor to emergency hospitalization and nursing home placement. Elders and their caregivers, as healthcare consumers and stakeholders in this issue, are uniquely qualified to inform strategies to improve medication adherence.
Abstract
Primary health professionals are well positioned to support the delivery of patient self-management in an evidence-based, structured capacity.
Introduction
Internationally, healthcare systems are challenged with the rising rates of chronic and complex illness and the clinical and economic burden associated represents a major challenge to the optimal provision of healthcare [ 1 ]. Health systems need to accommodate changes to meet the increasing need for health services.
Methods
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluating SMS interventions was conducted following the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We have reported the review according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines [ 33, 34 ].
Results
6,510 citations were retrieved. After the removal of duplicates, 4,831 records were screened by title and abstract. After review of full texts, fifty-eight RCTs/c-RCTs (reported in 80 citations) fulfilled the review criteria and were included in this systematic review (see flow diagram in Fig 1 ).
Discussion
This systematic review has synthesized evidence from 58 randomized controlled trials examining the effectiveness of primary HCP delivered self-management support interventions for adult patients, with any condition, compared to usual standard of care.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this review highlights core components of successful interventions showing positive clinical and/or humanistic outcomes. Whilst it was difficult to directly correlate individual strategies to outcomes and effectiveness, there was a clear distinction of strategies across the conditions studied.
Data Availability
All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.