A New Method of Identifying Characteristics of Needing Help to Take Medications in an Older Representative Community-Dwelling Population: The Older Adults Medication Assist Scale.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To determine the sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, and cognitive and functional status associated with baseline prevalence and new need for help taking medication 3 years later and to construct a brief scale indicative of need for help taking medications.

Design

Retrospective cross-sectional and 3-year longitudinal study.

Setting

Five-county area in north-central Piedmont, North Carolina.

Participants

Representative community-dwelling sample of black and white individuals aged 65 and older (N = 4,136).

Measurements

Information was obtained in person in participants' homes using structured questionnaires. Health conditions included sensory impairment and self-report of physician-diagnosed conditions. Cognitive status was asse

SUBMITTER: Jamerson BD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5295838 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature