Contextual factors influencing medication management by rural informal caregivers of older adults

Background: Managing medications is an important part of the rural informal caregiver's role in the community setting, and the context within which care is provided plays an important role in shaping the work they perform. However, little is known about the intra- and interpersonal factors that impact the rural caregiver's involvement in and performance of medication management. Objectives: To identify contextual factors influencing medication management by rural informal caregivers of older adults. Methods: Four separate focus groups with rural caregivers of older adults were conducted with 5-9 caregivers per group. Participants were asked to describe the medication management activities performed and problems they encountered while providing assistance. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed for themes using an inductive approach. Results: Care recipient independence, or their ability and preference to perform medication-related activities without supervision, was a key factor driving the caregiver's involvement in medication management and how it was performed. Many caregivers used a team-based approach to medication management that supported the care recipient's independence. Care recipient health and function was a driver behind the need for caregiving, and declines in physical and mental health led to changes in how medication management was carried out over time. Caregiver location also impacted the ways in which medication management was performed by caregivers. Conclusions: Interventions and pharmacy services to support medication management by rural informal caregivers should be designed in a way that preserves and promotes the care recipient's independence, and should be tailored to the context within which caregiving is performed.