Medication use and its correlates among the elderly

Medication use and its correlates were examined in a randomly selected sample of 178 urban-dwelling elderly people: 89 per cent were currently using medication and 44 per cent were using four or more medications concurrently. Forty percent were using at least one nonprescription medication, usually in combination with prescription medication. The treatment of hypertension was the most commonly given reason for medication use. Respondents demonstrated good knowledge of their medication and how to take it, and good compliance with prescribing instructions. Multiple medication use was associated with advanced age, living in supervised accommodation, and a range of measures indicative of reduced wellbeing. There was no association between cognitive functioning and multiple medication use. These findings suggest that stereotypical images of older people as being poor compliers and having little knowledge about their medication should be treated with caution. However, the extensive use of medication and of multiple medications and concerns about the appropriateness of use of some classes of medication highlight the need for more detailed study of medication use among the elderly.