Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2006 , Vol 9, Issue 3
MEDICATION COMPLIANCE IN ELDERLY
Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Burdur Sağlık Yüksekokulu, BURDUR Background and Aim: The need for treatment and medical care increases as parallel to health problems increasing together with getting older. This condition makes drug use and compliance with the treatment among elderly more important. For this reason, the present study was planned to evaluate the drugs they used and their compliance with the treatment among those who stay in the rest home which belongs to a Charitable Institution in Burdur.

Materials and methods: The study was done by interviewing 56 elderly people face to face and by filling in the survey form which aimed to evaluate their socio-demographic features and complying with the treatment.

Results: The proportion of taking one or more drugs was found as 83.9%. The proportion of compliance with the treatment recommended was found to be 83%. That the number of drugs being taken was a lot, neglience and forgetfulness were among the most important reasons which upset the compliance with the treatment.

Conclusion: Educational activities which aim at improving compliance with medical treatment and knowledge and skill of health officials in geriatrics and communication should be organized. That health officials serving the elderly be specialized in geriatrics will be effective in improving the quality of the service given to elderly. Keywords : Elderly, Drug Compliance