The Medication-Related, Information-Seeking Experiences and Barriers for Family Caregivers of Older People

Abstract

Objective To characterize family caregivers of older people' experiences related to medication information-seeking, including the ability to find medication information and barriers faced in the medication information-seeking process. Design A prospective cross-sectional survey of family caregivers of older people. Setting An online panel of self-identified family caregivers. Participants Family caregivers of older people 60 years of age or older. Results A total 555 family caregivers of older people responded to the survey. Caregiver respondents' mean age was 43.6 (± 14.0) years; they were primarily female (82.5%) and White (74.4%). About three-quarters of respondents assisted with managing medications for care-recipients. Caregivers whose care-recipients were taking medications (n = 537) performed a variety of medication-related activities with 67.8% looking up information online in the last month. While 70.6% of caregivers have asked pharmacists about medication information, only 21.0% considered pharmacists their primary source of such information. Barriers to looking for medication-related information included lack of time to speak to medical providers (51.0%) and pharmacists (45.3%), being unsure about the best source for information (45.9%), and time needed to care for others (43.0%). Conclusion Family caregivers of older people are involved in managing medications, including looking up medication-related information. Several barriers impact caregivers' ability to find medication-related information. Pharmacists can be more proactive in assessing and supporting caregivers' medication-related information needs.