Medication adherence behaviors in older adults: effects of external cognitive supports.
Medication adherence behaviors of 61 elderly adults were examined using a sensitive microelectronic monitoring device. To assess the effects of external cognitive supports on adherence, different subjects received (a) no intervention, (b) an organizational chart, (c) an over-the-counter medication organizer, or (d) both the chart and organizer. The young-old subjects showed a high rate of adherence (94%) and were not improved by the addition of the interventions. Old-old subjects had a lower rate of adherence (85%) than young-olds. Omission errors were the most frequent mistakes and were lower in the condition in which subjects received both chart and organizer.
Park
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Gerontology Center, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
Morrell
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Frieske
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Kincaid
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D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003463:Cues; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*