Pharmacist house calls? Illinois project aimed at seniors

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Up to 2,000 older adults in Illinois will be enrolled in a demonstration project during which a pharmacist will visit them at home to review their medications.

The program launches Thursday and will run for a year. The Illinois Department on Aging says the program is aimed at preventing unnecessary hospital and nursing home admissions linked to medications.

Bolingbrook-based APC is offering the program without charge.

Its goals include reducing medication errors and improving quality of life. Participants will be 60 years old and older. A typical patient might be diagnosed with two or more chronic illnesses or take five or more daily prescription medications.

Officials say similar programs have resulted in fewer emergency room visits and hospital readmissions. A future version could be implemented in the Illinois Medicaid program.