{"title":"Dispense This: How AI Is Reshaping Pharmacy's Clinical Services.","authors":"Leigh Davitian","doi":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4140/TCP.n.2026.150","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":41635,"journal":{"name":"Senior Care Pharmacist","volume":"41 4","pages":"150-153"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148253826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Creaque Charles Tyler, Aireona C Armagon, Ildebrando E Garcia, Aisha Morris Moultry, Paul Yeatts, Ivy O Poon
{"title":"Perception of Technology to Support Medication Management Among Community-dwelling African American Older Adults.","authors":"Creaque Charles Tyler, Aireona C Armagon, Ildebrando E Garcia, Aisha Morris Moultry, Paul Yeatts, Ivy O Poon","doi":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.139","DOIUrl":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Community-dwelling older adults often have chronic conditions and take multiple medications, leading to an increased risk of medication-related problems. The recent global pandemic further intensified challenges associated with polypharmacy, particularly among African Americans aged 65 years and older.<sup>1</sup> <b>Objective:</b> This pilot study explored participant perceptions of digital health technologies used in combination with pharmacist-led telehealth medication therapy management (MTM) services to support medication management and address medication-related problems among community-dwelling older African American adults. <b>Methods:</b> This six-month study evaluated perceptions of technology use among older adults (≥65 years) in Houston, Texas, who were taking five or more medications and owned a smart device (smartphone, tablet, or computer). Interventions included pre- and post-surveys, use of a medication management app (Pill Reminder - All in One®), and completion of two one-hour pharmacist-led MTM sessions. Baseline pre-survey data were compared with post-survey data collected at a six-month follow-up. The Texas Southern University Institutional Review Board approved the study (U54MD007605). <b>Results:</b> Significant improvements were observed in self-reported medication knowledge (pre: 2.75 ± 0.64 vs post: 3.35 ± 0.55, p < 0.001) and perceived pharmacist responsiveness (pre: 3.82 ± 0.71 vs post: 4.48 ± 0.59, p < 0.001). Participation in virtual MTM increased from 15.0% at baseline to 85.0% post-intervention (p < 0.001). The proportion of participants reporting forgetting medications declined significantly from 73.8% to 44.1% (p = 0.01). Use of health technology increased from 13.6% to 67.6% following the intervention (p < 0.001). The sample population was predominately female (87.5%) and majority African American (92.5%). <b>Conclusion:</b> The authors conclude that digital health applications offer a promising avenue to address nonadherence and medication-related problems in community-dwelling older adults. These tools can provide flexible solutions tailored to individual patient needs, ranging from simple reminder tools to comprehensive medication management platforms.</p>","PeriodicalId":41635,"journal":{"name":"Senior Care Pharmacist","volume":"41 4","pages":"139-149"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13343202/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148253875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Transitioning Medication-Related Home Visits to a Cognitively Accessible Digital Intervention in Home Care: A Practice Innovation Pilot.","authors":"Julie Legault, David Bordeleau, Quoc Dinh Nguyen","doi":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.118","DOIUrl":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Medication adherence among older adults with cognitive impairment is a major challenge in home care and often results in frequent in-person visits for reminders or medication administration. While digital reminder tools show promise, evidence supporting their integration into routine home care practice remains limited. In publicly funded home care services, medication-related visits are resourceintensive and increasingly difficult to sustain amid workforce constraints, making the identification of safe and scalable alternatives a growing priority. <b>Methods:</b> A quality improvement pilot project was conducted within a publicly funded home care program in Quebec, Canada. A smart clock was implemented to deliver cognitively accessible medication reminders and enable remote confirmation of intake. The technology was integrated into existing clinical workflows through nursing assessment, structured installation, user and caregiver training, and ongoing monitoring. Descriptive quantitative measures assessed device use, substitution of in-home visits, user experience and safety, and a preliminary break-even cost analysis. <b>Results:</b> Forty-eight older adults received the smart clock. Thirty-five participants (72.9%) were considered successful, defined as maintaining accurate medication intake. Use of the smart clock was associated with 6,276 avoided medication-related home visits across the pilot and time savings of 39.6 minutes of home care staff time per device per day. No major medicationrelated safety events were observed. <b>Conclusion:</b> This pilot suggests that a clinically integrated, cognitively accessible digital intervention can support the safe substitution of medicationrelated home visits. Findings highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and implementation practices in developing sustainable technology-enabled home care models.</p>","PeriodicalId":41635,"journal":{"name":"Senior Care Pharmacist","volume":"41 4","pages":"118-131"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148253834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Architects or Obstacles? Federal Agencies Role in Healthcare's Next Chapter.","authors":"Leigh Davitian","doi":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.109","DOIUrl":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.109","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":41635,"journal":{"name":"Senior Care Pharmacist","volume":"41 3","pages":"109-112"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147662706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Case Series: GLP-1 RA for Weight Management in Older Adults.","authors":"Lauren Toma, Kelsey Buckley, Nicole Early","doi":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.78","DOIUrl":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.78","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> This case study reviews the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) for weight management in older adults. A 69-year-old male patient discusses weight loss goals with his health care provider and seeks pharmacotherapy options in addition to lifestyle modifications. His medical history includes type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), coronary artery disease (CAD), prior coronary artery bypass graft, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and allergic rhinitis. He initiated weight loss efforts following a myocardial infarction; however, dietary and physical activity changes alone have not resulted in substantial weight reduction. <b>Assessment:</b> This patient is an appropriate candidate for GLP-1 RA therapy given his T2D, obesity, CAD, and a recent elevation in serum creatinine (SCr). The patient will initiate semaglutide, a medication approved for weight management with demonstrated cardiovascular benefit. The dose will be titrated to a maintenance dose of 2 mg once weekly, with ongoing monitoring of tolerability and weight loss.Given his age, there is concern for sarcopenia associated with excessive weight loss. The patient will be advised to maintain a balanced diet with an emphasis on protein intake and to engage in regular physical activity to minimize loss of muscle mass. <b>Outcome:</b> The patient experiences weight reduction within the first few weeks of therapy and tolerates treatment well. He has incorporated additional strength training into his exercise routine and increased his intake of vegetables and protein. The patient has insurance coverage for semaglutide due to his comorbid T2D; therefore, medication cost is not a barrier to treatment. <b>Conclusion:</b> When evaluating the use of GLP-1 RA agents in older adults, these agents demonstrate benefits beyond glycemic control and weight loss, including cardiovascular and renal outcomes. However, GLP-1 RA-associated weight loss may contribute to muscle loss, which is of particular concern in older adults who are at risk for frailty or falls. Patients receiving GLP-1 RA therapy should be encouraged to maintain adequate protein intake and engage in regular physical activity, particularly resistance training, to preserve muscle mass. Additionally, the high cost of GLP-1 RA agents may limit access for patients without insurance.</p>","PeriodicalId":41635,"journal":{"name":"Senior Care Pharmacist","volume":"41 3","pages":"78-87"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147662907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elias B Chahine, Jonathan H Watanabe, Madison T Dong, Rosa M Andrade
{"title":"Beyond Resistance: Prioritizing Safety in Antimicrobial Stewardship for Older Adults.","authors":"Elias B Chahine, Jonathan H Watanabe, Madison T Dong, Rosa M Andrade","doi":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.88","DOIUrl":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.88","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Antimicrobial resistance remains a leading global health threat, often exacerbated by inappropriate antibiotic use, particularly among the growing population of older adults. This commentary highlights the urgent need for geriatric-focused antimicrobial stewardship programs that balance efficacy, safety, and resistance mitigation. Age-related physiological changes, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy significantly increase the risk of antibiotic-associated adverse effects and drug interactions in older adults. Key challenges include inaccurate estimation of renal function and hypoalbuminemia, which alter antibiotic pharmacokinetics, as well as inappropriate treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria and increased susceptibility to <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infection. Clinical complexities such as prosthetic joint infections and antibiotic-induced neurotoxicity further underscore the need for individualized dosing regimens and vigilant monitoring. Certain antimicrobial classes, including fluoroquinolones, and specific agents such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and rifampin, require particular caution because of their potential for serious toxicities and drug interactions in this population. Pharmacists play a central role in optimizing antibiotic selection, dosing, and monitoring across care settings. Expanding their leadership in antimicrobial stewardship programs is critical to improving outcomes and minimizing preventable harm. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship requires targeted policies and outcomes-driven research to identify best practices that effectively reduce adverse events. As the aging population continues to grow, it is imperative that pharmacists in geriatric and long-term care settings develop and implement robust antimicrobial stewardship programs that prioritize safety across the continuum of geriatric care.</p>","PeriodicalId":41635,"journal":{"name":"Senior Care Pharmacist","volume":"41 3","pages":"88-97"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147662648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Review of Donanemab and Lecanemab in Mild Dementia Stage of Alzheimer's Disease: Progress and Challenges.","authors":"Muhammad A Qudoos, David P Elliott","doi":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.98","DOIUrl":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.98","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by cognitive decline and functional impairment, primarily driven by the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and tau tangles. Historically, treatments have focused on symptomatic relief; however, recent therapeutic advances have focused on disease-modifying monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), notably lecanemab and donanemab, which target Aβ pathology in early-stage AD. This review explores the clinical efficacy, safety profile, and limitations of lecanemab and donanemab, emphasizing key findings from the CLARITY-AD and TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 trials. In these studies, lecanemab was shown to slow cognitive decline by 27% over 18 months, while donanemab achieved a 28.9% reduction over 76 weeks, with the greatest benefits observed in patients presenting with lower baseline tau pathology.Despite these promising outcomes, challenges remain, including possible reduced efficacy in women based on subgroup analyses of trial data, racial disparities in trial representation, adverse effects such as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and substantial cost and accessibility barriers. This review underscores the need for more inclusive research, personalized treatment strategies, and continued exploration of AD's complex pathology beyond amyloid clearance.</p>","PeriodicalId":41635,"journal":{"name":"Senior Care Pharmacist","volume":"41 3","pages":"98-108"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147662913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Medication \"Appropriateness\".","authors":"Demetra Antimisiaris, Patricia W Slattum","doi":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.76","DOIUrl":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.76","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":41635,"journal":{"name":"Senior Care Pharmacist","volume":"41 3","pages":"76-77"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147662628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Twists, Turns, and Turbulence: Healthcare Policy's Wild Ride in 2025.","authors":"Leigh Davitian","doi":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.72","DOIUrl":"10.4140/TCP.n.2026.72","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":41635,"journal":{"name":"Senior Care Pharmacist","volume":"41 2","pages":"72-75"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146207125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}