ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INFORMAL CAREGIVERS' ASSISTANCE IN MANAGEMENT OF CARE-RECIPIENTS' MEDICATIONS AND THEIR USE OF TRAINING SERVICES-A NATIONAL RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Author(s)

Noureldin M1, Murawski M2, Mason H2, Hyner G3, Plake K1
1Purdue University College of Pharmacy and Center on Aging and the Life Course, West Lafayette, IN, USA, 2Purdue University College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN, USA, 3Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences and Center on Aging and the Life Course, West Lafayette, IN, USA

OBJECTIVES: Approximately 36% of family caregivers help older adults manage medications. Caregivers have an extensive unmet need for information and training, however, the relationship between caregivers’ assistance in managing care-recipients’ medications and their use of training services is unclear. The objectives of this study are to examine the association between informal caregivers’ assistance in managing care-recipients' medications and their a) receipt and b) initiation to seek caregiving-related training. METHODS: A retrospective non-experimental study was conducted utilizing data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), and its supplement, the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC). NHATS is comprised of a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries (≥65 years) while NSOC includes a sample of their informal caregivers. Caregiver assistance in managing care-recipients' medications was assessed using an item asking caregivers if they help keep track of care-recipients’ medications. Use of training services was assessed using two items asking if caregivers have received or looked for training to help provide care.  Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: Fifty four percent of caregivers (N=1367) helped keep track of care-recipients’ medications. Approximately 7% indicated they received training and 10.2% reported looking for training.  After adjusting for caregivers’ education and gender and care-recipients’ gender, race, and number of chronic conditions, the adjusted odds of receiving training were 2.58 (95% CI: 1.42, 4.69) fold higher for caregivers who kept track of medications. The adjusted odds of seeking training were 2.29 (95% CI: 1.36, 3.86) fold higher for caregivers who kept track.  CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that relatively few caregivers receive or seek training, however, caregivers who manage medications are more likely to have training for their care. Future research should examine the nature of training and how it impacts caregivers’ ability to manage medications.

Conference/Value in Health Info

2015-05, ISPOR 2015, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Value in Health, Vol. 18, No. 3 (May 2015)

Code

PHP1

Topic

Patient-Centered Research

Topic Subcategory

Patient Behavior and Incentives

Disease

Multiple Diseases

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