Team Alice's Medication Safety and Empowerment Curriculum (MedSEC) helps older adults and caregivers learn how to safely manage medications. Many seniors take multiple medications, which can lead to harmful side effects or unnecessary treatments. This program, developed at the University at Buffalo, will be offered at senior centers in Western New York. It includes two interactive sessions that teach participants how to recognize medication risks and talk with their doctors about safer options. The curriculum uses videos, group discussions, and hands-on tools to build confidence and knowledge. It follows the "4Ms" of Age-Friendly Health Systems: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. A "Train-the-Trainer" model will help senior center staff continue the program long-term. The goal is to reduce medication harm, improve communication with healthcare providers, and support healthy aging in the community.
55 years of age and above
taking prescription medications
currently an informal or formal care partner for an eligible patient (regardless of whether they live with or near the patient)
aged 18 years of age and above
Patients with cognitive impairment that prevents their self-management of medications.
Single group
Team Alice Medication Safety and Empowerment Curriculum (MedSEC)
Other interventionA two-part interactive curriculum that will improve medication safety awareness and empower participants to engage in conversations with healthcare providers. The focus of this study will be to evaluate the impact of the MedSEC on patient/care-partner knowledge and medication management patient activation levels. A pre/post study that surveys older adults/caregivers pre-curriculum intervention and post-curriculum intervention, in addition to 6 months after program completion.
Evaluate the impact of the MedSEC on patient/care-partner knowledge and activation levels in managing medications through the Patient Activation Measure (PAM)
Study seeks to enhance patient and care-partner activation, reduce polypharmacy and the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), and improve shared decision-making through the Patient Activation Measure (PAM).
Evaluate the impact of the MedSEC on patient/care-partner knowledge and activation levels in managing medications through the Revised Patient Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaires.
Study seeks to enhance patient and care-partner activation, reduce polypharmacy and the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), and improve shared decision-making through the Revised Patient Attitudes Towards Deprescirbing (rPATD) questionnaires.
Change from Baseline in participant understanding of medication safety risks at 6 Months.
85% of participants will demonstrate an understanding of medication safety risks through pre- and post-program patient/caregiver questionnaires, including the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) and Revised Patient Attitudes to Deprescribing (rPATD). Additional questions pertaining to knowledge retention and actionability will be asked at 6 months.
Participants will demonstrate knowledge of the 4Ms (Age-Friendly Health System) framework through pre/post/6 month follow up questionnaires.
By the end of the program, 80% of participants will demonstate knowledge of the 4Ms framework, measured by four questions related to the 4Ms and the Age-Friendly Health System taken prior to the program, immediately post-program, and 6 months after program completion.
Change in patient engagement as measured by the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) from baseline to 6 months post program.
6 months post-program, 65% of participants will show improved patient engagement, as measured by the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) questionnaire.
Change from baseline in the mean of medications after 6 months follow-up
Within 6 months of completing program, 50% of participants with polypharmacy will have reduced medication usage by 10%. (mean # of medications.)
Post-Survey to Measure Program Impact and Participant Satisfaction
A post-survey questionnaire (immediately after program completion) will be used to assess the program's educational value and determine its effectiveness in increasing medication safety knowledge, empowerment, and patient self-advocacy, as well as participant satisfaction.
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State University of New York at Buffalo
Lead sponsor
Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
Collaborator
