MEDICATION BELIEFS AND MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN THE OLDER ADULT

摘要

Purpose: To explore the relationship between beliefs about medication andudmedication adherence in the older adult.udOrganizing Constructs: Medication adherence and beliefs within the frameworkudof Orem's Self -Care Theory.udStudy Design: This exploratory study uses a correlational design to survey audconvenience sample of older adults.udMethods: A convenience sample of 30 older adults, living independently, at leastud65 years of age, and taking at least 3 prescription medications per day, were surveyed toudidentify factors that may influence medication non -adherence. Participants were asked toudcomplete a demographic questionnaire, the Beliefs about Medication Scale, and theudMorisky Medication Adherence Scale. Descriptive analyses and Pearson ProductudMoment Correlation Coefficients were conducted.udResults: A relationship between beliefs and medication adherence was notudidentified in this group of older adults.udConclusion: Beliefs may be an important factor in medication adherence. Furtherudresearch is needed to explore the relationship between the two concepts in a lessudhomogeneous sample.