Medication Compliance Among Elderly

This table lists the links for the Substance Abuse Task Force pages - a text version of the links is at the bottom of the page
Youth Committee	Policy and Enforcement Committee
Substance Abuse Coordinating Team	Elderly Committee

Medication compliance can be defined as "the extent to which a person's behavior coincides with medical or health advice".

With the steady increase of senior citizens, along with the drastic surge in the number of marketed prescription drugs, patient compliance to medication regimens has become increasingly problematic.

It has been shown that decreased compliance to prescription medication leads to worsening symptoms; possible decline in health; the need for additional medical treatment; increased hospitalizations; and most drastically, death. Therefore, it is important that all senior citizens understand how crucial it is to take all medication as prescribed

If a senior citizen must take several doses of multiple medications during the course of the day, they should try to establish a routine or associate each dose with a specific chore or activity. For example, taking all morning medications just after awakening, or all mid-afternoon doses around lunchtime and all evening doses around dinnertime or at bedtime.

Also, seniors must also understand that certain medications must be continued whether they feel better or not. this is especially true of antibiotics, high blood pressure medication and cholesterol medication. although you may not feel badly, the underlying disease still exists. These, and all medications must be taken as prescribed; at the dosage prescribed; at the times prescribed; and, for the length of time prescribed.

In all cases, seniors must know the medications that they are taking and why they are taking them. It is important to carry a list of all medications being taken, prescription, over-the-counter and herbs and supplements as well. The list of medications should include the name, dosage, times taken and why the medication is taken. If you are unsure about a medication or do not understand the directions, please speak with your doctor, pharmacist or member of your health care team. The professionals are available to assist in any way they can.

Moreover, if cost is an issue for medication compliance, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist regarding programs available, such as getting medications directly through pharmaceutical companies, Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Elderly (RIPAE); generic substitutes; or contact "Medications for the Needy" at 1-800-215-9001.

Senior citizens should also be reminded not to share their medications. sharing medications could be quite dangerous and lead to serious medical problems. Also, remember to keep all medications in the correct container and be sure that they are labeled properly. It becomes easier to confuse medications once they have been taken out of their original container. If a medication has expired it should be thrown away, as expired medications lose their effectiveness, many cause additional side effects and may have a toxic effect.

In closing, medications have the amazing ability to change people's lives, but only if taken exactly as prescribed. If medication regimens are not followed, medications can lead to more serious health problems.

Written by Jennifer Coates, Register Pharmacist and Pharmacy Manager at Walgreen's Pharmacy on Cumberland Street in Woonsocket and Lisa Mancinelli, MSW, community Liaison for the Woonsocket Task Force on Substance Abuse.

For additional information contact the Woonsocket Task Force on Substance Abuse at (401) 766-3332 or e-mail at Lisa Mancinelli