Medication administration hassles for Mexican American family caregivers of older adults

Abstract

In order to take their medications at home, elders rely increasingly on their family, but little is known about the factors influencing this task. This study explored the effects of acculturation and social exchange on the hassles that Mexican American (MA) family caregivers face in administering medication to their elders. A descriptive, correlational design, with a convenience sample of 239 MA adult caregivers of elders who were on a daily prescription that was recruited in Dallas, Texas and San Diego, California, USA, was used. The caregivers' scores on the medication administration hassles scale were significantly affected by acculturation and social exchange factors that explained 36% of the variance in the scores; the social exchange block had a larger influence than did the acculturation block. Caregiving might be an outcome of dynamic family exchange relationships between the caregiving dyad. The results can help healthcare professionals to detect potentially at-risk MA families and provide them with culturally appropriate nursing interventions.

Communication relating to family members' involvement and understandings about patients' medication management in hospital

“…A vast array of medication‐related activities can be undertaken by family members. These activities include relieving symptoms with medications, acquiring medications, assisting with medication adherence, recognizing and interpreting wanted and unwanted symptoms associated with medications, conveying knowledge about medications, recognizing and interpreting symptoms, and understanding and responding to patients' medication needs …”