Factors which influence compliance with medication regimens : reports by elderly clients

The purpose of this exploratory study was to describe those factors elderly persons perceive as influencing their compliance with medication regimens prescribed by a health care provider. It was prompted by a review of previous research which revealed a paucity of data pertaining to compliance determinants according to self-report and a similar paucity of compliance literature focused on the aged. Utilizing a cross sectional approach, interview and record information was obtained from a convenience sample (N=20) of elderly consumers of home care services. The subjects were, for the most part, frail older individuals experiences wide variety of common health care concerns and self-administering a large number of prescribed pharmaceutical preparations. The conclusions of previous research were supported by the findings of this study that 100% of the subjects reported that their interactions with health care workers influenced their medication behaviors and 95% reported that they encountered obstacles deterring compliance. Using the chi-square statistic, a significant relationship between deliberate noncompliance and attitudes towards the taking of medications was found. Deliberate noncompliers were more likely to have negative attitudes than were compliers. The same test revealed a significant relationship between deliberate household noncompliance and household composition. Deliberate noncompliers were more likely to live alone. Limitations regarding interpretation of these findings were discussed. Implications for nursing research, practice, and education were outlined.