Factors related to medication adherence in memory disorder clinic patients

Abstract

Medication adherence is a substantial problem in the elderly. It may be even more important among elderly persons with memory problems, since other factors that lead to non-adherence may be compounded with the memory problems themselves. The objective was to determine whether a model that integrates research on medication adherence from several research domains is useful in understanding adherence in elderly patients. The methodology involved a cross-sectional observational study using a convenience sample of 63 patients drawn from a university-affiliated outpatient memory disorders clinic. The primary measure of medication adherence was caregivers' reports of patients' medication adherence. Patients and their caregivers were asked questions assessing their beliefs about the seriousness of each condition for which a medication was prescribed and the likely outcome of that condition without treatment. Additional data collected included presence of side effects, total number of medications taken, and patients' mood and cognitive status. Multilevel path analysis confirmed several model-based predictions. Caregivers' reports of adherence were predicted by estimates of disease outcome, the presence of side effects, and patients' relying on themselves to remember to take medications. Results partially confirm the integrative model in understanding medication adherence in these patients. Patients' beliefs about the likely effect of medication treatment for their condition and the presence of side effects influence reported medication adherence. Results thus suggest that efforts to educate patients about the likely response of their medical condition to treatment and to assess and deal with medication side effects might improve patient adherence.

Predictors of adherence among Alzheimer's disease patients receiving oral therapy

“…Although one might have expected that older adults would have had a lower level of medication adherence than younger adults, many studies have shown that older adults actually may have higher levels of adherence [28][29][30][31] . Reasons suggested for better adherence among the elderly are that they are not as busy with other activities as are younger adults 32 , or that older adults are more aware of the potential impact that medications may have on their health 33 . Caregiver support may also play a role in medication adherence.…”

The role of cognitive resources for subjective work ability and health in nursing

“…In general, for a proper planning, cognitive abilities such as short-term memory, working memory, and inhibition are required (e.g., Kliegel et al 2000;Phillips et al 2005). Thus, maintaining good health over the course of time is likely also a result of sufficient cognitive functioning (see also e.g., Evers et al 2012;Inauen et al 2013;Ownby et al 2006;Park et al 1999;Schwarzer et al 2008a, b, for further evidence).…”

Cognitive Impairment and Medication Self-Management Errors in Older Adults Discharged Home from a Community Hospital

“…Cognitive impairment, whether temporary or irreversible, may also contribute to a person's inability to follow the prescribed medication regimen, increasing the risk of making self-management errors (Chapman et al, 2008;Insel et al 2006;Ownby et al, 2006;Stoehr et al, 2008).…”