Elderly Patients and Visually Impaired
Have Problems Taking Medications

In a study undertaken in Germany it was established that elderly patients have problems with their medications both during a hospital stay and also after discharge. During the study they were tested in opening and taking out their medications from containers and also medication use.

Of the patients studied over 10 % failed to open at least one container. This was attributed to poor eyesight and reduced dexterity. The conclusion of the study suggested that the use of medications should be tested during the patients stay in hospital with follow up management skills being taught after release to prevent drug noncompliance.

Drug noncompliance can be a major issue for healthcare workers who deal with the elderly. Elderly patients receive 25% of all prescriptions. Another study found that healthcare practitioners overestimate their patient’s compliance. The findings were that one third complies; one third sometimes complies; and one third never complies. Factors which contribute to noncompliance includes both vision and memory problems as well as other issues such as drug interactions and side-effects, complicated regimes, and fear of addiction.

To overcome noncompliance elderly patients need verbal and written instruction, reinforcement of instructions, easier drug regimes, clear labels and non-childproof containers, and the involvement of family.

Visually impaired patients also face challenges regarding medication compliance. One study was undertaken on a group of visually impaired patients. Compliance levels were at 64% - well below the average for people with normal vision.

For patients with vision problems medication regimes should be simple with additional tools used such as pill dispensers, color coded bottles as well as magnifying devices to aid compliance. Counseling and family interaction also helps to increase compliance.

Steps to aid medication compliance for elderly and visually impaired patients:

• Vision problems should be identified
• Memory problems should be identified
• Dexterity problems should be identified
• Patients should be instructed in taking their medications both verbally and in writing
• Follow-up medication management reinforcement should be undertaken
• Simplified medication regimes should be used
• Clear medication labels should be used
• Non-childproof containers should be used
• Pill dispensers, color coding and magnifying devices should be used
• Family members should be instructed as to the medication regime