Top Reasons Seniors Do Not Take Their Medications
In The US, over 4.8 billion prescriptions are filled every year. Furthermore, every 18 minutes, someone overdoses on some type of prescription medication or supplements. In fact, the risk of being hospitalized from adverse medication outcomes in seniors is 600% higher than that for the general population. Thus the need for the Med-Q Medication reminder. Here are the top 10 reasons seniors do not take their medications as directed by their health care professional.
Memory:
Despite receiving written and verbal information, 27% of older people discharged from hospital after heart failure were classed as non-adherent within 30 days. The majority remembered receiving oral information, but less than one in four recalled any written information they were given. Almost one in ten did not remember receiving any information at all.
Memory:
30 minutes after taking their medications, seniors can’t remember if they took them, and thus take them again. Half the patients surveyed could not recall the dose of their medication and nearly two-thirds did not know what time of day to take them.
Memory:
Senior simply forget to take their medications.
Need:
40% of elderly patients do not know the purpose of their medication. Some do not take them because they don’t feel good, others stop taking because they feel good.
Volume:
Too many medications. Seniors are likely to consume more than 5 medications at a time and do not like taking them all, or do not remember how to take each one.
Incapacity:
Due to physical (arthritic conditions), visual or hearing impediments or Mild Cognitive impairments seniors are not physically able to take their medications, and many do not have the caregiver support needed to ensure consumption.
Cost:
Seniors do not fill or refill medications because they can not afford the enormous cost. Some stretch their medications by splitting pills or taking half doses.
Fear:
Seniors may be afraid to take their medications because of potential side effects. Seniors are a large connected group and most frequently search for health information online.
Mistrust:
Some seniors do not trust their health care providers because of their motivation to prescribe due to pharmaceutical company enticements as reported in the press.
What can we do?
Med-Q Medication Compliance System was created with the goal of offering up better medication adherence with Lite-Box Guides and Triple Alarms. Med-Q Pill box with alarms Nurses designed med reminder incorporates physical and psychological tips to ensure the meds are taken as directed . Both the proper dose and the correct time. We have analyzed all the basic core reason for forgetting and overdoing. Med-Q has interviewed patients, caregivers, physicians and other health care professionals. We developed the Med-Q Medication Compliance System to protect Independence and Well Being