Adherence and medication management by the elderly

Aims and objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the strategies used for medication management by elderly who live at home.

Background: Non-adherence to chronic medication is a common problem among the elderly with chronic conditions. Many studies have been developed, but it did not progress in solving this multidisciplinary health care problem. The causes of non-adherence by the elderly are multiple and complex.

Design: Descriptive qualitative design.

Methods: Data were collected by two focus groups. The content of discussion was analysed from verbatim transcript and identifying categories and sub-categories emerged, leading to the construction of a diagram analysis.

Results: The finding indicated the strategies and the interpretation of people aged 65 or more and with chronic illness, managing their medication. Four content categories emerged: to live with drugs, taking medication, belief about drugs and relationship with health professionals.

Conclusion: The study enabled us to identify and understand, by giving a 'voice' to the elderly, that living with drugs is a dynamic and complex process and that taking medication is perceived by older people as a consequence of their ageing, which requires them to include that process in their lives as a habit implying changes in their daily routines. The elderly suggest that the relationship with health professionals is essential in medication management and they reported that the information given by the nurse during consultation is very important.

Relevance to clinical practice: The relationship with nurses in particular is an important issue for the older people. Understanding the factors of adherence and helping people are important areas of research in nursing. The quality of this relationship may be the key to increasing adherence in this group of people.