INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Senior citizens struggling to maintain independence in the wake of injury or illness will have extra assistance in the coming year due to a pilot program being funded by the Indian River Community Foundation.
“The health and safety of Indian River County’s growing senior population is an ever-present concern,” said Becky Allen, IRCF Board Chair. “The Community Foundation saw this as an opportunity to help older adults safely maintain their independence for as long as possible.”
The IRCF Grants Committee recently recommended Senior Resource Association for a $20,000 grant to implement a Medication Management Intervention Project.
The recommendation was unanimously approved by the IRCF board of directors and funding was provided by contributions to an unrestricted fund from eight local philanthropists with a desire to address the root causes of time-sensitive community issues.
Ginna O’Connor, Senior Resource Association vice president of programs, said there is a need for continued efforts to improve medication management among the expanding older adult population.
The new Medication Management Intervention Program will include a registered nurse providing up to five weekly or bi-monthly visits to low-income seniors determined to be at risk.
The nurse will provide education about prescribed medication and tools for self-administration so the clients can administer their own medications correctly.
“This program will help seniors avoid largely preventable medication-related problems,” said O’Connor. “In addition to building the program and hiring staff, we are now reviewing the files of over 400 clients to target the program to those who will benefit the most.”
The grants committee focused on evidenced-based models, collaborative work, knowledge of the sector and clearly defined measures of success.
Older adults are seven times more vulnerable to drug errors than any other age group, according to the organization. Studies also show that errors tend to increase as the elderly are treated by more doctors and prescribed more drugs without some type of coordinated care effort.
The goal of the pilot program proposed by the Senior Resource Association is to prevent medication-related problems, including falls, prescription drug abuse and nursing home placement for seniors identified at risk of not taking their medication properly.
For more information about the Indian River Community Foundation visit www.ircommunityfoundation.com or contact Kerry Bartlett at (772) 492-1407.