Purpose: To explore specific medication literacy (SML) of older adults and associations of SML strength.
Methods: This was an observational study. Participants were at least 60 years old, with an asthma diagnosis and in good health. Data were collected by a registered nurse researcher. The SML data collection instrument gathered information about each medication a participant used: name, purpose, how taken, special instructions, adverse effects, and drug-drug or drug-disease interactions. An SML scoring rubric was developed.
Results: All could provide name, and most provided purpose, how taken. The lowest SML domains were side effects and interactions. Age at time of asthma diagnosis correlated with stronger SML scores and living in a disadvantaged neighborhood correlated with lower SML scores.
Discussion: Gaps in medication literacy may create less ability to self-monitor. Patients want medication literacy but struggle with appropriate, individualized, information.
Conclusion: The study provides insights on gaps and opportunities for SML.
Keywords: health literacy; mediation literacy.