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Variation in medication understanding among the elderly.
Mary V Spiers1, David M Kutzik, Meilissa Lamar
1Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. spiersm@drexel.edu
Summary
Most elderly individuals understand their medications well, though some face challenges with complex regimens or specific instructions like missed doses. This study highlights medication understanding in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Medication management is crucial for community-dwelling elderly individuals.
- Understanding medication regimens impacts adherence and health outcomes.
- Previous research has not fully detailed medication misunderstanding types in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the types and prevalence of medication misunderstanding among community-dwelling elderly people.
- To identify factors associated with medication regimen comprehension in older adults.
Main Methods:
- A medication-review program recruited 375 community-dwelling individuals aged 65 and older.
- A structured interview assessed background, attitudes, and medication details (dosage, frequency, timing, missed doses).
Main Results:
- 62% of participants demonstrated perfect understanding of their medication regimens.
- 7.5% misunderstood specific aspects, most commonly what to do if a dose was missed.
- 7% had significant knowledge gaps, indicating high risk for nonadherence, often with complex regimens.
Conclusions:
- A majority of older adults exhibit good comprehension of their prescribed medications.
- Targeted interventions may be needed for elderly individuals with complex medication schedules or specific knowledge deficits.