AARP Hearing Center
James McSpadden, AARP Public Policy Institute
![Med Literacy Landing Page Image Med Literacy Landing Page Image](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/pri/topics/health/prescription-drugs/medication-literacy-series/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par0/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.75.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2022/10/Med Literacy Landing Page Image.jpg)
Many older adults have adequate medication literacy— the ability to obtain patient-specific medication information, process received information, and make medication decisions. They have the skills necessary to safely and effectively use their medications, regardless of the mode by which the content is delivered (i.e., written, oral, or visual). However, more than one third of older adults have limited literacy, meaning that they may not have the facility, language, or knowledge to accurately take their prescribed medications. As a result, they can face increased or unnecessary health and economic costs.
The Public Policy Institute is engaging on this important subject. Researchers, providers, insurers and policy makers all have a role to play in improving the medication literacy of consumers, including older adults, and helping them attain the skills necessary to maintain good health.
REPORTS
VIDEOS
MORE FROM AARP
![The Importance of Prescription Drugs to Midlife Medicaid Enrollees An elderly man taking medication in his kitchen.](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/pri/topics/health/prescription-drugs/medication-literacy-series/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_additional_1/container_2123475527/featuredlist/tabItem/importance-of-prescription-drugs-to-midlife-medicaid-enrollees2.coreimg.75.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/ppi/topics/health/prescription-drugs/prescription-drugs-midlife-medicaid-enrollees-report.jpg)
The Importance of Prescription Drugs to Midlife Medicaid Enrollees
This Fact Sheet looks at prescription drug use among midlife Medicaid enrollees, examines a set of baseline trends (who fills prescriptions, where they live, and how often they fill prescriptions), the types of drugs midlife Medicaid enrollees fill, and the impact of state expansion of Medicaid on prescription drug use among this population.
![A New Era for State Pharmaceutical
Assistance Programs That Serve Older
Adults Senior woman paying for medicines at pharmacy checkout](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/pri/topics/health/prescription-drugs/medication-literacy-series/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_additional_1/container_2123475527/featuredlist/tabItem/new-era-state-pharmaceutical-assistance-programs-serving-older-adults3.coreimg.75.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/ppi/topics/health/prescription-drugs/state-pharmaceutical-assistance-programs-report.jpg)
A New Era for State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs That Serve Older Adults
This Spotlight examines the existing State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) and their characteristics and highlights how specific federal prescription drug reforms could generate savings for SPAPs and provide an opportunity for states to revisit these important programs.