scholarly journals A Pharmacist-Led Medication Coaching Program Serving Senior Residents of Low-Income Housing

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 761-762
Author(s):  
Jennifer Bacci ◽  
Joshua Akers ◽  
Katie Mahan ◽  
Geoffrey Meer ◽  
Jeffrey Kinter ◽  
...  

Abstract In 2015, one independent community pharmacy partnered with the local Area Agency on Aging to provide medication coaching to low-income, culturally diverse, older adults living in 6 affordable housing buildings in the Seattle area. A pilot was conducted during the 2015-2016 fiscal year to determine the need for and feasibility of the service. Process outcomes, including patient and service demographics, medication-related problems, and pharmacist interventions, were captured via the pharmacists’ patient care documentation. Pharmacists had 34 total visits with 17 unique residents who were taking an average of 8.1 medications. Pharmacists identified 97 medication-related problems, averaging 5.7 problems per resident, and performed 88 interventions, averaging 5.2 interventions per resident. The findings of this pilot demonstrated the needs and feasibility of implementing pharmacists’ services within a housing organization structure and has resulted in the continuation and growth of the program.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 473-473
Author(s):  
Hae-Ra Han ◽  
Nicole Marrone ◽  
Jonathan Suen ◽  
Sarah Szanton ◽  
Jami Trumbo ◽  
...  

Abstract Within hearing care, significant disparities persist despite the highly prevalent nature of age-related hearing loss and relatively few trials include representation of racial/ethnic minorities. HEARS is an affordable, accessible hearing care intervention delivered by older adult peer mentors. The HEARS randomized controlled trial (NCT03442296) is a community-engaged RCT with an embedded human-centered design practitioner. Recruitment efforts occurred over 18 months in partnership with 13 affordable housing and social centers. The cohort (n=151) includes 43% (n=65) who self-identify as African American and 63.6% (n=96) with <$25,000 annual household income. The cohort represents the largest to-date of African American and low-income older adults with hearing loss. Recruitment efforts entailed 470.5 staff hours and $4,917.26 in supplies, equating to 1.4 hours and $14.13 per 1 individual screened and 3.1 hours and $32.56 for 1 participant randomized. Community-engaged research, partnered with human-centered design, may offer critical approaches to increasing representation within behavioral intervention trials.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 873-873
Author(s):  
Manish Kumar ◽  
Laura Richman

Abstract Neighborhoods play a central role in healthy aging, with changes to neighborhoods having a profound impact on older adults’ ability to age in place. Using gentrification as an indicator of neighborhood change and applying the theoretical framework of the Environmental Press model (Lawton and Nahemow, 1973), this study examined the relationship between changing environments, affordable housing, and environmental attributes that support and hinder the health and well-being of older adults. A qualitative, case-study approach was used to interview low-income, majority Black older adults in a gentrifying area of Washington DC. 32 individuals (16 in non-profit and 16 in for-profit affordable housing) aged 55 and older participated in semi-structured interviews on perceptions of gentrification, neighborhood change, and challenges and supports to aging in place. Transcripts were then analyzed using the framework method of analysis. Although participants generally reported that gentrification improved their neighborhood’s built environment, many attributed it to a decline in social capital. Affordable housing provided an ability to age in place, though participants expressed uncertainty over their long-term ability to age in the context of continuing change. These findings suggest that while the physical changes accompanying gentrification may support older adults’ ability to age in place, its detrimental impact on social capital further increases their risk for social isolation. While affordable housing may enable older adults to age in place, fostering a greater sense of permanence and well-being will require additional policies that both increase accessibility to the physical amenities provided by gentrification and preserve older adults’ social capital.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 708-708
Author(s):  
Muhammad Qureshi ◽  
Atiya Mahmood ◽  
Ghazaleh Akbarnejad ◽  
Rahil Adeli ◽  
Dana Sharon

Abstract Older adults living in rental housing with limited income are at-risk for experiencing life-course disruptions, including social isolation, loneliness and homelessness. To address these needs, one Vancouver-based affordable housing provider for older adults has implemented community development initiatives (CDIs), including resident-led community gardens, workshops, and social events. Based on data from three focus groups, resulting in a total of fifteen participants, this study explored the efficacy of five different CDIs in supporting residents’ social connection and sense of community. Findings revealed that CDIs contribute to increased social engagement and inclusion of older adults living in affordable rental housing. In particular, resident-led community gardens were identified as the most impactful CDI in supporting both social engagement and inclusion, with the added benefit of addressing resident’s food insecurity. We discuss how CDIs can be implemented in various housing settings for low-income older adults as an effective method of supporting aging-in-the-right place. Part of a symposium sponsored by the Environmental Gerontology Interest Group.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 910-910
Author(s):  
Christine Sheppard ◽  
Matthew Yau ◽  
Carol Kwon ◽  
Jorge Rios ◽  
Andrea Austen ◽  
...  

Abstract Access to affordable housing is a rising concern for many older adults, and government-sponsored social housing programs are one approach to support low-income older adult renters; however, these housing models are limited in availability and may not all be well-suited to support aging in place. To better understand how to promote the physical, mental and social wellbeing of older tenants in social housing, this scoping review mapped relevant literature to examine: 1) the characteristics of older adults in social housing; and 2) social housing service models and policies. Seven peer reviewed databases were searched for relevant articles, which were screened by two independent reviewers. A total of 140 articles met the inclusion criteria. Studies were predominately from the US and Canada; spanning over five decades of research, with publications surging in the 1980’s and in the 2010’s. Almost all studies reported on the sociodemographic and health characteristics of older tenants, and two thirds presented findings on social housing service models, including policies, staff positions and training, and access to on-site support services. This review points to a high level of vulnerability among older adult tenants living in social housing and highlights the importance of co-locating support services in social housing buildings, with dedicated tenant-support staff to identify vulnerable tenants and link them to these services. There is an acute need for more research on key issues related to housing retention, such as eviction prevention, in order to identify opportunities for social housing landlords to help older tenants age in place.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 466-467
Author(s):  
Walter Boot ◽  
Judith Robertson Phillips

Abstract This symposium co-sponsored by the Disasters and Older Adults and the Technology and Aging special interest groups of GSA aims to highlight the promise of, and barriers to, the use of telehealth to support continuity of care in the face of disasters and crises, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. M. Mattos will showcase a home-based medical care (HBPC) program to address chronically ill and homebound persons living with dementia and caregivers’ needs during the pandemic. T. Wyte-Lake will present the results of a national survey on how changes were made to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) HBPC programs in response to the pandemic. G. Demiris describes a large caregiver study in which problem solving therapy and positive appraisal theory interventions designed specifically to support family caregivers of hospice patients during the COVID-19 pandemic were implemented via telehealth. D. Lindeman will specifically discuss challenges and implementation strategies for telehealth solutions applied to low-income older adults living in affordable housing communities. Finally, H. Xu will present the results of an analysis examining the effectiveness of telehealth in reducing readmissions among heart failure patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the COVID-19 pandemic has especially impacted older adults and those who care for them, these talks highlight the potential of telehealth services and interventions to provide support and facilitate the continuity of care during times of crisis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 55-68
Author(s):  
Atsuko Matsuoka ◽  
John Sorenson ◽  
Taryn Mary Graham ◽  
Jasmine Ferreira

INTRODUCTION: Significant benefits of companion animals (i.e., pets) for older adults are recognized and publications on Animal-Assisted Intervention, Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapies with older adults are growing. Studies on housing and community- residing older adults with companion animals from a non-utilitarian perspective on other animals, however, are rather limited.METHODS: For this scoping review, we used a Critical Animal Studies perspective, in particular, a trans-species social justice framework to address two questions: “What are the scope and size of the literature on housing for community living older adults with companion animals?” and “What is known from the existing literature?” We searched peer-reviewed publications from 1980 to 2019 by using MEDLINE, PsychINFO, ProQuest and Scopus.FINDINGS: Six works from Canada, Aotearoa New Zealand and US met our criteria. A disturbing reality was discovered: Restrictive leasing (‘no pets’ for rental housing) among low-income older adults with companion animals in public housing has persisted for the last 40 years and prevents them from accessing affordable housing. Also, the discourse of pets as problems or risk seems to justify prohibiting older adults from living with companion animals.CONCLUSION: Utilising the concept of speciesism and a trans-species social justice framework for analysis, we argue that intersectional institutional oppression of speciesism and classism is a root cause of the situation. Justice for older adults cannot be achieved without justice for their companion animals. Future studies in human–animal relations and education and practice in social work need to incorporate ideas of speciesism and justice beyond humans.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 467-468
Author(s):  
David Lindeman

Abstract Lighthouse for Older Adults, an innovative public-private partnership, was developed in response to COVID-19 as a means of advancing telehealth for low-income older adults living in affordable housing communities. Residents of these communities often don’t have reliable access to devices, sufficient bandwidth for telehealth, or adequate social services, further complicated by the need for multi-lingual and culturally sensitive programs. This presentation will share program implementation strategies and outcomes, including the essential role telehealth services play in the care and wellbeing of older adults during and beyond COVID-19. This session will review evidence-based components of a telehealth intervention, including digital literacy training and technology support. Key drivers for successful implementation (e.g., peer led training, user input into technology selection) as well as barriers to implementation (e.g., broad band installation, internet service availability/cost, tech support) will be reviewed. Lessons learned through program replication and scaling of Lighthouse telehealth services will be discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 761-761
Author(s):  
Patricia Slattum ◽  
Elvin Price

Abstract Medications are one of the pillar 4Ms of an age-friendly healthcare system. Ensuring that benefits of a medication regimen outweigh the risks and that medications are not contributing to meaningful outcomes such as functional or cognitive decline is a challenge for our healthcare system, particularly for older persons experiencing adverse social determinants of health, health disparities or uncoordinated care. More fully engaging pharmacists in the older person’s health care team is one strategy to improve clinical, humanistic and economic outcomes. This workshop reports findings on medication management capacity among older residents of five low-income apartment buildings in urban Richmond, VA, indicating that this population experiences challenges in managing medications as measured by MedMaIDE. The second presentation describes a pilot partnership between an independent community pharmacy and a local area agency on aging to provide medication coaching to residents of six affordable housing buildings in Seattle, WA, demonstrating feasibility of engaging pharmacists in the healthcare team and resulting in an average of five interventions per resident. The third presentation describes an interprofessional educational intervention based in two low-income apartment buildings for older persons in underserved West Baltimore, MD involving pharmacy students, to better prepare pharmacists to engage in interprofessional team care and meet the needs of a low income culturally diverse older adult population. Discussion will focus on barriers and opportunities to more fully engage pharmacists to support urban residents of low-income housing buildings to optimize medication outcomes and reduce medication-related harm.


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