Appropriate use of drugs by elderly people

Wade, Barbara; Bowling, Ann

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.1986.tb01219.x

Cited by 26 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…For example, many older adults take digitalis preparations for cardiovascular disease; digitalis toxicity is enhanced by some antacids (Gerbino & Gans, 1982). Adverse drug reactions are estimated to be twice as likely in persons age 60 to 70 years and three times as likely in those over 80 than in young adults (Durgin, 1982;Melmon, 1971;Wade & Bowling, 1986). As the total number of different medications, prescription and OTC, increases, the risk of adverse interactions increases dramatically (Fox & Auestad, 1990;Lamy, 1982).…”

Section: Hazards Of Otc Medicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self‐Management of Over‐the‐Counter Medications by Older Adults

Conn

1992

Public Health Nursing

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Older adults' use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications is usually a self-initiated behavior that may have important health consequences. A sample of 186 adults age 65 years and over was interviewed to describe their use of 16 OTC substances and their management of the most commonly used OTC medications. Subjects reported using almost twice as many OTC as prescription medications. A structured interview format elicited subjects' self-reports of decisions, judgments, and actions used to manage aspirins, laxatives, antacids, and vitamins. Most reported using the specific OTC preparations often. Health care providers were common but not exclusive sources of information about these products; few subjects acknowledged being influenced by advertisements. Although subjects' reported dosages and scheduling of agents were judged appropriate by nurses, some overuse of laxatives was noted, together with some continuation of laxative and antacid administration for excessive lengths of time for persisting symptoms. Few subjects identified precautions associated with the OTC medications. Questions were raised about older adults' perceptions regarding vitamin use for particular symptoms. The results of the study indicate the need for educational programs for older adults and further research about OTC substance use among these individuals.

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Section: Hazards Of Otc Medicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self‐Management of Over‐the‐Counter Medications by Older Adults

Conn

1992

Public Health Nursing

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“…Nurses within community health care settings and those who visit the home are ideally situated to assist in providing patient education about over‐the‐counter and prescription medications and to improve liaison between health care professionals and the various services involved in medication prescription, dispensing, purchase and administration 20 . 21 Nurses who work within the home and the community can also offer older women education about complementary therapies (e.g. massage, relaxation and diversionary occupations), and medication‐free approaches to managing and promoting health by improving older women’s confidence and personal autonomy in identifying and responding to minor health problems such as difficulty in sleeping, known or expected side‐effects and reactions to medications, mood changes and digestive effects 22 .…”

Section: Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…While focusing on emancipation through enhanced in medication prescription, dispensing, purchase and administration. 20, 21 Nurses who work within the home knowledge, information was gained from, and shared with older women in an uncoerced and unlimited way. and the community can also offer older women education about complementary therapies (e.g.…”

Section: Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Older women, medication use and nursing care

Watson

Mitchell

DeCrespigny

et al. 1998

Int J of Nursing Practice

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The purpose of this study is to listen to and interpret the experiences of independent older women in the community regarding their medication use. Their experiences were examined regarding medication information, sources of information, types of medication used, relationships with health care professionals and social support systems. The techniques used for data collection included guided qualitative semistructured interviews based on the principle of empowerment and notions of ideal and nonhierarchical communication. The emergent themes show that for these older women general practitioners were important in their medication experiences. Whilst trusted as carers in the acute care setting, registered nurses did not play a role in the medication experiences of these older women. Registered nurses are perceived as 'traditional carers' associated with medical and acute care settings. Although medication issues emerged that ideally required attention, the older women in this study generally perceived themselves to be capable of actively managing their health and medication use.

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“…The idea behind self‐medication is that patient autonomy should be encouraged by enabling patients to administer their own medication when in hospital (Wade & Bowling 1986; Bird 1989). This contrasts with the traditional approach where access to medication is controlled by the nursing staff.…”

Section: Design Of the Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%