Prevalence of medication-related risk factors among retirement village residents: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background: information on medication use and risk factors among older people residing in retirement villages and their uptake of medication reviews are scant.

Objectives: to identify medication use issues and risk factors for medication-related problems among retirement village residents and to evaluate the uptake of government-subsidised Home Medicines Review (HMR) services in this population.

Design: cross-sectional, mail survey.

Setting: retirement villages in Victoria, Australia.

Participants: members of the Residents of Retirement Villages of Victoria residing in retirement villages (2,116, aged 54-100 years).

Methods: a questionnaire was developed incorporating validated scales and items to measure medication risk, medication adherence, co-morbidity, disability, information on medication use, health and the uptake of HMR services. Questionnaires were mailed to participants for self-completion and returned using reply-paid envelopes.

Results: of the 2,116 respondents (70.7% response rate), 2,006 (94.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 93.9-95.7%) reported using prescribed medications. Three or more health conditions were present in 993 (46.9%; 95% CI 44.8-49.0%) respondents. Five or more regular medications were used by 988 (46.7%; 95% CI 44.6-48.8%) respondents. Twelve or more tablets/capsules per day were used by 229 (10.8%; 95% CI 9.5-12.1%) respondents. The use of narrow therapeutic index medications was reported by 264 (12.5%; 95% CI 11.1-13.9%) respondents. Changes to medication regimens in the previous 3 months were reported by 356 (16.8%; 95% CI 15.2-18.4%) respondents. One or more medication-related risk factors were seen in 1,374 (64.9%; 95% CI 62.9-66.9%) respondents. Of these at-risk residents, 76 (5.5%; 95% CI 4.5-6.5%) reported receiving an HMR in the previous 12 months, who were older (P < 0.001), were using more medicines (P < 0.001) and had greater disability (P = 0.002).

Conclusions: reasons for the low uptake of medication reviews in retirement village residents despite the high prevalence of medication risk require further investigation.