Whether it’s updating your aisle signage or adding a delivery service for your independent pharmacy, it’s important that the shopping experience be senior-friendly.
U.S. Census projections show that by 2035, there will be more people over the age of 65 than there are people under the age of 18. With the “age in place” trend plus the popularity of connected devices, many senior patients will choose to receive care outside of institutional settings, creating more opportunities for your independent pharmacy to serve their needs.
Whether it’s updating your aisle signage or adding a delivery service for your independent pharmacy, it’s important that the shopping experience be senior-friendly.
In-Store Accessibility
Reports indicate that nearly 40% of seniors aged 65-79 live with at least one disability, and for those aged 80 or older, this share rises to nearly 71%. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that, “no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.” As a pharmacy owner, you want to be compliant, but more importantly do what you can to make it easier for the customers who are affected.
There are a variety of accommodations you can make:
- Provide more accessible parking spaces beyond those legally required
- Arrange frequently used products on shelves within easy reach of those who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices
- Offer accessible communications like large-print product signage and pamphlets for visually impaired individuals, and text-message updates on prescriptions for hearing impaired individuals.
- Leverage the ADA Update: A Primer for Small Business to enhance your employee training materials so that your employees feel confident assisting the wide variety of potential customers.
Expand In-Store Service Offerings
While seniors share many of the same health concerns as their more youthful counterparts, they’re also at higher risk for more health issues. For example, nearly 80% of seniors have at least one chronic disease, and 77% percent have at least two. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, and injury deaths. Ninety percent of Americans aged 55+ are at risk for hypertension.
Your independent pharmacy can offer services that help identify and address these issues. These services can include blood pressure testing, chronic disease management coaching, and fall risk screening. This allows patients to make the most out of every visit and take control of their health outcomes, and also gives them an additional reason to pass over competitors’ pharmacies in favor of yours.
