Keys to successful self-management of medications.
Medication use by community-dwelling elderly accounts for a significant portion of all U.S. drug use. Many elderly manage over three prescriptions a day. Recent evidence indicates that non-adherence to prescribed drug regimens can lead to symptoms that result in hospitalizations. The study's purpose was to explore self-management of medications as perceived by community-dwelling elderly. Guided by Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, 19 older adults were interviewed about their medication self-management practices. Inductive data analysis revealed three major themes: successful self-management of medications, living orderly, and aging well. Success in establishing individual management systems may be the result of developing and maintaining orderly lifestyles.
Swanlund
Susan L
SL
Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois, USA.
Scherck
Kathryn A
KA
Metcalfe
Sharie A
SA
Jesek-Hale
Sheila R
SR
D000368:Aged; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009742:Nursing Theory; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000592:standards; D012648:Self Care / Q000592:standards*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States