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Abstract
Objectives: Older adults are a population vulnerable to the effects of alcohol, medication-to-alcohol interactions, and combining multiple medications. This study examines the effectiveness of a prevention program to increase older adults’ knowledge about these risks.
Methods: Older adults (N = 348) were asked to participate in a prevention program and to take a pre- and post-test measuring knowledge about the risks of taking multiple medications and of alcohol use as one ages, before and after participation. A subsample of the group (N = 60) was followed at 30 days after participation in the program and asked to complete a survey on how the program affected their attitudes and choices regarding their medications and alcohol use.
Results: Results show a significant increase in knowledge about older adults’ risks related to their medication and alcohol use from pre- to post-test. The group sampled at 30 days after program participation showed that the majority either agreed or strongly agreed that their attitudes had changed toward more awareness and increased understanding of the importance of knowing their risks related to medication use, medication interactions, multiple medications or polypharmacy, and alcohol.
Conclusion: As a result of this intervention, older adults gained knowledge about their own risks related to medication use, medication interactions, multiple medications or polypharmacy, and alcohol use. Further research is needed to replicate these findings and to determine how prevention education can reduce these risks for older adults.