Food Insecurity and Cost‐related Medication Non‐adherence in Low‐income Older Adults in Northeast Georgia

Abstract

Low‐income older adults are at increased risk of cutting back on basic needs, including food and medication. This study examined food insecurity and cost‐related medication non‐adherence (CRN) in a randomly selected sample of senior center participants in northeast Georgia (n=137, age 77.3±8.8 years, 82.5%women, 44.8% black). Food insecurity was assessed using the 10‐item USDA Household Food Security Survey Module. Practice of 5 CRN behaviors (e.g. splitting pills, skipping doses) and 9 other prescription cost‐cutting (PCC) behaviors (e.g. seeking free samples, importing prescriptions) over the last month were evaluated. About 8% of participants were food insecure, while 9% and 32% had utilized one or more CRN and cost‐cutting strategies, respectively. Food insecure participants were more likely to be black, less educated, and at nutritional risk. Those who practiced CRN were more likely to be at nutritional risk and to practice PCC strategies. Food insecure participants were about 14 times more likely to practice one or more CRN behaviors than their counterparts even after controlling for potential confounders. Food insecure older adults were unable to meet not only basic food needs but also basic prescription needs. Improving food security is important for low‐income older adults in order to promote adherence to recommended medication management. Funding: ADA Healthy Aging DPG Student Research Award

Which financial stressors are linked to food insecurity among older adults in the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands? An exploratory study

“…Fifth, health-related financial stressors that can affect food insecurity in older age include medical costs. Studies in the United States show, for example, that taking three or more prescription drugs is related to higher food insecurity (Bengle et al 2010). In several studies, cost-related medication non-adherence has been related to food insecurity in older age (Caouette et al 2020), as has poor management of costly chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, HIV, and depression (Wang et al 2011;Wang et al 2015) and functional limitations (Wolfe et al 2003).…”

“…In addition to these financial stressors, demographic and social characteristics have been associated with higher access-related food insecurity in older age. These characteristics include being female (Russell et al 2014;Dean et al 2011); having been born in a developing country (Sharkey et al 2011); having African American or other minority status (Dean et al 2011;Wang et al 2015); being too young (e.g., under 70) to qualify for welfare transfers (Miller et al 2020;Park et al 2019;Russell et al 2014;Bengle et al 2010); and having lower educational attainment (Bengle et al 2010;Grammatikopoulou et al 2019).…”