An Age-Friendly Approach to Medication Optimization

This is the second in a series of Age-Friendly case studies developed as a function of the John A. Hartford Foundation grant to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists and the Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy to Leverage Pharmacists as Age-Friendly 4Ms Champions. This series presents a case for each of the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility, and examines how these elements interrelate to optimize care for older patients.This case presents an interprofessional framework for optimizing a patient's medication regimen. It includes tools and suggested deprescribing guidelines to help pharmacists prioritize medication recommendations. Using the Age-Friendly 4Ms framework, the authors reviewed and adjusted the patient's medications, aiming to support her "What Matters" goal of returning to volunteer work at her church, which she had given up because of unsteadiness, low energy, and difficulty focusing. The care team developed a plan involving interprofessional collaboration among a social worker, physical therapist, primary care provider, and to support the patient in reaching her goal.