Medication Use By Ambulatory Elderly

Authors:
  • JDJeffrey C. Darnell
    Jeffrey C. Darnell
  • MMMichael D. Murray
    Michael D. Murray
  • BMBill L. Martz
    Bill L. Martz
  • MWMorris Weinberger
    Morris Weinberger
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Abstract
The elderly residents of an urban subsidized apartment building were interviewed in their apartments to determine a comprehensive medication profile. The interviews were conducted by doctor of pharmacy candidates, and 155 residents (81.2%) participated. Compliance was similar to rates previously reported (49.3%), and adverse drug reactions were common (29.1%). Other findings included: 1) compliance did not decrease with advancing age; 2) most elderly individuals could open child‐resistant containers (83.4%), read standard container labels (79.7%), and identify teaspoon (97.3%) and tablespoon (88.5%) quantities; 3) inability to open easy‐open (flip‐off) containers decreased compliance (P = .03); 4) men were more compliant than women (68.4 v 42.4%, P = .006) but were taking fewer medications (3.3 per male v 5.0 per female); 5) only 12.6% of respondents thought they were taking too much medication but when they did compliance diminished (P = .003); 6) medications were infrequently shared (5.6% of respondents reported sharing); and 7) only 6.4% of respondents reported medication expense as a concern.

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