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.
Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois, USA.
Susan L
SL
Swanlund
Kathryn A
KA
Scherck
Sharie A
SA
Metcalfe
Sheila R
SR
Jesek-Hale
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