Impact of a SystemCHANGE™ Intervention on Medication Adherence in Older Adults With Heart Failure: A Feasibility Study.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a SystemCHANGE™ intervention in improving medication adherence in older adults with heart failure (HF). Adults age ≥50 years with HF who self-administered diuretics were screened for 2 months using electronic monitoring to determine baseline adherence scores. Participants were randomized into the SystemCHANGE™ or attention-control group if adherence scores were <88%. The SystemCHANGE™ intervention focuses on changing the individual's environment by including medication taking into existing routines, receiving support from individuals who impact routines, and using small experiments with feedback. Challenges were noted by participants in using the electronic medication monitor technology during the screening phase. Lessons learned from this study emphasize the need to revise recruitment procedures and include multiple sites. Education and counseling should be adapted to the cognitive level of the participant and address technology challenges. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45(4), 15-19.].