For the older adults, adherence to medication can be particularly challenging due to various factors, including cognitive decline, polypharmacy (the use of multiple medications), complex dosing regimens, physical limitations, and socioeconomic factors. Older adults may be dependent upon someone else for support to adhere to their medicines. Another aspect in this case is frailty that presents another set of complexities. Understanding these barriers needs to take these factors into consideration when developing interventions and this is something that the CARE approach can do. Non-adherence can lead to treatment outcomes that are suboptimal and increase healthcare costs at the same time.
The Centre for Adherence Research and Education at King’s College London aims to address this barrier in care, by conducting vital research and training in the field of non-adherence. Our research can help identify the specific barriers that hinder medication adherence among the elderly in England and Wales. Understanding these barriers can inform the development of targeted interventions and strategies to overcome them. The older adult population often have unique healthcare needs and usually they require personalized treatment plans. Our research on medication adherence can provide insights into tailoring medication regimens. The CARE approach aligns with the comprehensive geriatrics assessment - the approach that is used to prevent and manage frailty.
Through our research, we have developed a training module for clinicians and medication prescribers. This module can help trainees detect patients who are at risk of being non-adherent, and adjust their treatment plan accordingly. We can also help with assessing the impact of these interventions and implement evidence-based strategies to improve medication adherence among older adults.
Improved medication adherence in older adults can lead to better health outcomes, reduced hospitalizations, and overall cost savings for the NHS. Research in this area can quantify the impact of adherence on health-related outcomes, healthcare resource utilization, and associated costs, providing valuable data to inform policy decisions and resource allocation.
References:
Patton DE, Pearce CJ, Cartwright M, Smith F, Cadogan CA, Ryan C, Clark E, Francis JJ, Hughes CM. A non-randomised pilot study of the Solutions for Medication Adherence Problems (S-MAP) intervention in community pharmacies to support older adults adhere to multiple medications. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2021 Jan 7;7(1):18. doi: 10.1186/s40814-020-00762-3. PMID: 33413650; PMCID: PMC7788279.