The Elderly Committee was established in 1997.   An objective of the Elderly Committee was to collect data on the use and misuse of prescription medication, over-the-counter medication and alcohol by the citizens of Woonsocket over the age of 60.

Three surveys were distributed, one to each of the following groups: elderly, elderly caregivers, and key informants working with Woonsocket elderly. The WTFSA received 242 completed elderly surveys: 54 completed elderly caregiver's surveys and 26 completed key informant surveys.

A full report is available at the Woonsocket Task Force on Substance Abuse Office. The following is a summary of the results of the survey.

• Overall, there is significant importance in maintaining open communication and clear information exchange between the elderly patient, their provider(s) and their caregivers;
• 11% of elderly respondents tend to use multiple physicians of medication changes and/or uses of over-the-counter medications;
• 22% of elderly respondents are not informing their physicians of medication changes and/or uses of over-the-counter medications;
• 23% of elderly respondents are unaware of medication interactions and side effects/
• 11% of elderly respondents are unaware of the interaction of their prescription medications and alcohol;
• 22% of elderly respondents do not take medication as prescribed by their physician and do not inform their physician of this;
• 16% of elderly respondents are using multiple pharmacies, which can defeat the computerized safety systems that prevent drug interactions;
• 12% of elderly respondents had difficulty keeping a drug dosage schedule;
• 16% of elderly respondents use expired medication;
• 11% of elderly respondents have used another's medication;
• 16% of elderly respondents use alcohol while taking prescription medication;
• 35% of elderly use over-the-counter drugs with their prescription medication without consulting their physician;
• 15% of elderly respondents use herbal medications with their prescription medication.

It is apparent through the survey results that elders in the City of Woonsocket are subject to many of the same difficulties with prescription management that plague the rest of the country's older population. Most of the issues have the potential for improvement, however. With well planned educational interventions and the support of service providers/caregivers, as well as community leaders in all sectors, the medication taking practices of elders in Woonsocket can be made safer and more effective, a result which not only benefits the individual but the community as well. The Woonsocket Task Force on Substance Abuse's 3-year prevention plan will include specific recommendations targeting elders.

Also please see Drug Abuse among Elderly Growing Fast & Medication Compliance Among Woonsocket Senior Citizens and List of Topics for Speakers.