Table 1 Baseline comparison of study participants

AGE (Years)

−2.22^a

0.03^d

Mean (SD)

63.96 (7.86)

59.52 (5.93)

Age Range

51–82

51–78

SEX

0.01^b

0.91

Female

16 (69.6%)

17 (68.0%)

ETHNICITY

0.02

0.89

White/Caucasian

21 (91.3%)

24 (96.0%)

Aboriginal

1 (4.3%)

1(4.0%)

South East Asian

1 (4.3%)

–

LIVING ARRANGEMENT

0.02

0.88

Alone in residence

8 (34.8%)

12 (48.0%)

With Spouse

8 (34.8%)

5 (20.0%)

With family member(s) other than spouse

4 (17.4%)

3 (12.0%)

Other

3 (13.0%)

5 (20.0%)

EDUCATION

0.03

0.86

Less than High School Diploma

5 (22.7%)

7 (28.0%)

High School Diploma

4 (18.2%)

6 (24.0%)

Some College, no degree

11 (50%)

7 (28.0%)

Bachelor’s Degree

2 (9.1%)

5 (20.0%)

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

0.29

0.59

Employed

1 (4.3%)

1 (4.0%)

Unemployed

1 (4.3%)

2 (8.0%)

Retired

11 (47.8%)

6 (24.0%)

Disabled

10 (43.5)

16 (64.0%)

ANNUAL INCOME

3.61

0.06

< $21,000

9 (39.1%)

16 (66.7%)

$21,000 - $40,000

9 (39.1%)

6 (25.0%)

> $40,000

5 (21.7%)

2 (8.3%)

Mean (SD)

4.48 (2.19)

4.20 (1.98)

−0.46^a

0.65

MEDICATION

Prescriptions

Mean (SD)

9.39 (3.73)

10.12 (4.76)

0.59^a

0.56

Mean (SD)

1.68 (1.84)

2.12 (2.74)

0.63^a

5.53

Yes

5 (21.7%)

4 (16.0%)

0.26

0.61

Yes

3 (15.8%)

5 (22.7%)

0.31

0.58

SEEK MEDICATION HELP^c

3.09

0.69

Pharmacist

17 (42.5%)

20 (40.0%)

General Physician

19 (47.5%)

23 (46.0%)

Specialist

3 (7.5%)

3 (6.0%)

Homecare Staff (Nurse/HCA)

0

1 (2.0%)

Other

1 (2.5%)

3 (6.0%)

MANAGEMENT METHOD

1.15

0.28

Blister Pack

5 (26.3%)

12 (52.2%)

Pill Organizers

9 (47.4%)

4 (17.4%)

None (pill containers)

2 (10.5%)

6 (26.1%)

Other

3 (15.8%)

1 (4.3%)

MEDICATION TIMES/DAY

−0.11^a

0.91

Mean (SD)

2.91 (0.92)

2.87 (1.11)