Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Vol. 30 No. 7 July 2004
By Kathleen C. Buckwalter, RN, PhD, FAAN; Bonnie J. Wakefield, PhD, RN; Barbara Hanna, RN, PHN, BSN, CCM; Julie Lehmann, RN, PHN, BSN
EXCERPT
Lack of compliance with prescribed medication regimens is a well-known and well-documented problem among elderly individuals, especially those who live alone or who have some degree of cognitive or functional impairment. Non-compliance results in decreased quality of life, increased health-care costs related to acute and long-term care admissions, and the need to enhance home care support. Hayes, McDonald, Garg, & Montague (2004) note only 50% of older adults adhere to medication treatment, with a variety of reasons attributed to non-adherence including poor instructions, disagreement with the treatment prescribed, inability to pay, and adverse effects.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Buckwalter is Associate Professor for Health Sciences, College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Wakefield is Research Scientist, Iowa City VA Medical Center, and Clinical Associate Professor, University of Iowa, College of Nursing, Iowa City, Iowa. Ms. Hanna is President and CEO, and Ms. Lehmann is Program Director, Home Health Care Management, Inc., Chico, California.
Address correspondence to Kathleen Coen Buckwalter, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, College of Nursing, University of Iowa, 2252 Cae Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246.
