Identification of the drug-use behaviors of the elderly living in nursing homes

Abstract

ObjectiveAs our society ages, the incidence of acute and chronic diseases increases, and so does chronic drug use and polypharmacy. This study was intended to examine the medication behaviors of the elderly who lived in the nursing homes in the Elazig and Malatya provinces, located in eastern Turkey, and in the Kayseri province located in Central Anatolia.Materials and methodsThe population of this cross-sectional study included people over the age of 60 years (n=310) who lived in the nursing homes in the Elazig, Malatya, and Kayseri provinces. The entire population was included in the research without sampling, of which 255 (82.2%) people participated. Data were collected using a survey form, and the survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews. The data were reported in numbers, percentages, and averages.ResultsOf the studied population, 87.8% were treated through polypharmacy, using various drugs. The most commonly used drugs were antihypertensives (52.2%). Females over 60 years used more polypharmacy than men (p<0.05). Of the elderly studied, 97.3% used drugs as recommended, 95.3% did not know about the side effects of the drugs they used, and 93.7% did not read the prospectuses of the drugs. Also, 82.7% stated that their drugs did not have any side effects and 70.2% said that the health care personnel did not educate them about their drugs. Of the elderly who were informed about their drugs, 55.3% obtained the information from the nurse and 44.7% from the physician. Of the elderly, 51.3% received education on the duration they would need to take the drug, 30.3% were educated on the intended use of the drugs, 7.9% received education on their drug dose, and 6.6% were educated on the side effects of the drugs.ConclusionThe results of this study showed that the majority of the elderly studied used more than one drug (polypharmacy) and the most used drug group was antihypertensives.

Sustainable services for the elderly in Malang city: A qualitative study

“…Monitoring related to drugs consumed by the elderly, control schedules to the hospital, referrals from the first health facilities and queue numbers at the hospital, as well as first aid in the event of an emergency before going to the hospital (31). The use of drugs requires a clear explanation and education, especially in the use of tablet drugs such as Symbicort and the use of insulin (32).…”

Yaşlilarda Çoklu İlaç Kullanimi Ve Üri̇ner Si̇steme Etki̇leri̇

“…Dünya Sağlık Örgütü (World Health Organization-WHO) 45-59 yaş grubunda yer alan bireyleri orta yaşlı, 60-74 yaş arasını yaşlı, 75-89 yaş arasını ileri yaşlı, 90 yaş ve üstü bireyleri ise çok yaşlı olarak sınıflandırmaktadır (Oguzoncul, Ercan & Celebi, 2018). Artan yaş ile birlikte kronik hastalıkların görülme sıklığı da artmaktadır.…”