1. February 15, 2011
Complex Care of Aging Families –Cindy Grindstaff R.N.
The University of Akron Medina campus, RN to BSN program
“Education and medication compliance in the elderly patient”

2. Research Question
Does follow up medication education increase compliance in the older adult?

3. Abstract
Initial research was to research the effectiveness of patient education on adherence to medications in the elderly population
Of 4 studies, 3 studies supported my research question and the fourth stated more research was necessary
Follow up education was necessary to keep the patient compliant in their drug therapies.

4. Mansur (2008)
Study shows that 98.7% of geriatric, home-dwelling patients were compliant when following up with geriatric practitioner one month after discharge
Non-adherence to at least one drug was associated with:
Medication regimen changes
In patients with seven or more drug types
Failing to follow up with geriatric practitioners

5. Special attention should be given to persons
Barat (2001)
Study consisted of 348 patients who were 75 years old in the home setting
In examining the information non- compliance ranged from 20-70% based on the measuring method
Special attention should be given to persons
on 3 or more drugs
those living alone
Or those with more than one prescribing physician

6. Ahmad (2010)
In this study, pharmacy technicians followed patients at 1,3,6,9,12 months and counseled patients at home
Study used interventions such as cognitive behavior treatment and medication reviews to improve compliance among elderly patients

7. Ahmed (2010) continued
In the Dutch population, 50% of patients were shown to discontinue the use of chronic medication within one year after initiation
With the use of the two interventions the non-compliance rate was 30-33%

8. Conn (2009)
Study showed a larger adherence to medications when special medication packaging was added, participants were monitored, and when written instructions were given
Results of this study were from a synthesis of 33 randomized controlled trials

9. Nursing Recommendations
More research should be conducted
Follow up medication reviews and follow up visits with the physician should be repeated as necessary to reinforce compliance as evidenced in the studies
Other innovative interventions should be implemented to add to the toolbox of knowledge nurses rely upon

10. References
Mansur, N., Weiss, A., Hoffman, A., Gruenewald, T., & Beloosesky, Y. (2008). Continuity and Adherence to Long-Term Drug Treatment by Geriatric Patients after Hospital Discharge: A Prospective Cohort Study. Drugs & Aging, 25(10), 861. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Barat, I. I., Andreasen, F. F., & Damsgaard, E. S. (2001). Drug therapy in the elderly: what doctors believe and patients actually do. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 51(6), doi: /j x

11. References continued
Ahmad, A., Hugtenburg, J., Welschen, L. C., Dekker, J. M., & Nijpels, G. (2010). Effect of medication review and cognitive behavior treatment by community pharmacists of patients discharged from the hospital on drug related problems and compliance: design of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health, Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

12. References continued
Conn, V. S., Hafdahl, A. R., Cooper, P. S., Ruppar, T. M., Mehr, D. R., & Russell, C. L. (2009). Interventions to Improve Medication Adherence Among Older Adults: Meta-Analysis of Adherence Outcomes Among Randomized Controlled Trials. Gerontologist, 49(4), doi: /geront/gnp037

13. THANK YOU!
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