Interventions to promote medication adherence in elderly - Systematic review

Introduction: Medication adherence is defined as the extent to which a patient is able to follow prescribed instructions regarding the timing, dosage, and administration of pharmaceutical treatments. This includes adherence to guidelines concerning potential adverse effects, drug interactions, appropriate storage conditions, and additional information provided in the accompanying patient information leaflet, which contains critical safety and usage details. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to medication non – adherence, as they frequently present with multiple comorbidities that necessitate complex and often polypharmaceutical treatment regimens. Aim: The purpose of this systematic review was to study the interventions that have been carried out in the last 5 years to promote medication compliance to older adults. The research questions are: “Which are the methods that have been used in interventions in order to promote medication adherence?” and “Which is the effectiveness of the interventions in order to promote medication adherence?” Methods: Articles were searched in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar between March 2024 and April 2024 for the years 2018-2024 using the keywords “intervention”, “elderly”, “medication persistence” as well as synonyms. Results: A total of 14 studies were included in the systematic review. The majority of interventions were effective in improving medication adherence in the elderly, enhancing their self-management and increasing their knowledge of rational use of medications. Interventions that included technology and innovative methods such as the use of comics were good strategies for improving the health status of the elderly. However, in order to be effective, interventions must be constantly supervised and continually supported. Conclusion: In conclusion, it is deemed necessary to maintain the implementation of interventions aimed at promoting medication compliance, especially for patient with mental disorders.

Keywords: Medication adherence, Interventions, elderly