Medication Adherence in Older Adults With Serious Mental Illness

Individuals who are already participating in a study of a combined skills training and health care management intervention for older people with serious mental illness are invited to join this study. Half of the individuals have already been randomly assigned to receive the intervention and half have already been randomly assigned to continue receiving their usual care. The people receiving the intervention receive the skills training module, Using Medications Effectively, in 8 group sessions over 8 weeks. The module includes information about common medications used for psychiatric and medical illnesses; training on using devices to help take medications properly; and instruction on strategies to help incorporate medication taking into a daily routine. A trained research assistant conducts pill counts and interview sessions with all participants after they sign an informed consent form, 8 weeks later, and 3 months after the second interview.