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Self-reported memory of medication use by the elderly
1Department of Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Summary
Elderly individuals often overestimate their medication adherence memory. Depression impacts self-rated success, while age predicts actual adherence errors, despite using memory strategies.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Health Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Medication adherence is crucial for elderly health outcomes.
- Self-reported memory for prescription drug regimens is a key factor in adherence.
- Understanding correlates of memory for medication use in noninstitutionalized elderly is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate correlates of self-reported memory for adherence to prescription drug regimens in noninstitutionalized elderly persons.
- To identify predictors of medication adherence success and errors in older adults.
Main Methods:
- A "brown-bag" medication review was conducted with 105 independently living persons aged 55 and older.
- Structured interviews assessed general memory, medication-specific memory, and adherence strategies.
- Demographic variables, number of drugs, functional limitations, medical problems, and depression levels were recorded.
Main Results:
- Subjects rated medication-specific memory higher than general memory.
- Depression best predicted self-rated adherence success (adjusted R2 = 0.18).
- Age was the best predictor of actual adherence errors (adjusted R2 = 0.14).
- External cue strategies did not correlate with self-reported adherence success.
Conclusions:
- Most independently living elderly individuals perceive good medication adherence.
- Self-perceptions of memory for medication use may not accurately reflect adherence.
- Depression and age are significant factors influencing medication adherence in the elderly.