EVALUATION OF A MEDICINE INFORMATION TRAINING-PROGRAM FOR OLDER-PEOPLE

This article describes a medicine information training project initiat ed through concerns of older people in Australia about the inappropria te use of medicines and adverse consequences on their health. The trai ning program uses experiential and adult learning strategies to train older people to act as advocates and peer role models to inform their peers on the wise use of medicines. The process evaluation conducted e stablished the high quality of the training program's content, staff, documentation, and other resources. However, feedback from graduates i ndicated the difficulties experienced:ed by older learners when the tr aining is too concentrated. The wide reach of the program, as assessed through the extensive recorded activities of the program's graduates in the community, was positive. The immediate impact evaluation on tho se completing initial training identified an increase in self-reported self-esteem, whereas the intermediate evaluation on experienced gradu ates showed that growth in personal development had been sustained sev eral years post-graduation. None regretted volunteering to be trained and all reported deriving great satisfaction from assisting their peer s. They would recommend the training to others, but only if they are w illing to listen and invest the time needed during and after training. Relatively high rates of attrition due to death, ill-health, and fami ly commitments were recorded and implications noted. This project succ essfully mounted a community-based program to train older people to ac t as peer educators, with noticeable benefits to program participants. The procedures used, and the insights obtained through participants' feedback, have relevance for planning other training programs for olde r learners.