Patient education
insomnia, anxiety, allergies
CHRONIC PAIN, DISEASE, ALLERGIES
Patient education consists of educational brochures and self-care/symptom management handouts. Educational brochures were adapted from prior deprescribing trials conducted in Canada for three of the medication classes targeted by STOP-FALLS: opioids, sedative-hypnotics (benzodiazepines and Z-drugs), and first-generation antihistamines [Self-care/symptom management handouts were created by the study psychologist (BB) for each of the following symptoms for which a target medication is often prescribed: anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia, and allergies. They emphasize non-pharmacological strategies and describe resources for managing symptoms. Handouts covering the relevant symptom(s) are mailed along with an educational brochure. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “What YOU Can Do to Prevent Falls” pamphlet is included with each mailing; the rationale for this pamphlet is to highlight that there are several actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of falls, so that even if a participant does make any changes to their medications, they may take other steps to prevent falls.