Around 125,000 deaths each year in the US are due to prescription medication non-adherence. The term – adherence – refers to following physicians’ prescription drug instructions to patients in treating their disorders. While a reported 50% of all patients struggle with medication adherence, this problem is even worse in seniors. One reason is a lack of understanding for the need to take a particular drug, but another is forgetfulness. However, that forgetfulness is most often related to taking multiple daily medications and mixing them up. Regardless of the specific reason for stopping a medication, confusion over when to take it, or never taking it at all, a chronic health disorder is likely to worsen as a result.
Prescription medications used to treat cancers: Why adherence is necessary
Oral chemotherapy pills that can be taken at home are replacing intravenous (IV) chemotherapy delivered in treatment centers for many patients. Four types of cancer that can now be treated by taking daily oral chemotherapy medications are:
- Leukemia
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Renal cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), half of all cancers occur in people aged 66 and older. Likewise, the NCI notes that senior age is the most important (overall) risk for cancer, with the median age linked to the following cancers:
- Breast cancer – median age at diagnosis: 62 years old
- Colorectal cancer – median age at diagnosis: 67 years old
- Prostate cancer – median age at diagnosis: 66 years old
When chemotherapy pills are suddenly discontinued or taken incorrectly, the cancer tumors can return or grow. An article in the Journal of Oncology Practice reported that three other consequences of chemotherapy pill nonadherence are increased use of healthcare resources, higher hospitalization rates, and longer inpatient stays. Especially for seniors with cancer, longer hospitalizations are linked to developing hospital-acquired infections.
Diabetes medication adherence in seniors and nonadherence consequences
At least 16.5 million adults aged 65 and older in the US are living with Type-2 diabetes, and many take oral prescription medication to control it. When the daily pill to control blood glucose level is skipped or taken at the wrong time of day, there is a far higher likelihood that diabetes complications will develop. These complications include neuropathy (nerve pain), heart disease, and kidney failure.
What is polypharmacy and why does this lead to medication nonadherence?
Polypharmacy is the term used to describe taking more than five different prescription drugs each day. Problematically, polypharmacy was reported in up to 39% of all adults aged 65 and older (per an article in Global Health Research and Policy). Meanwhile, short-term memory problems increase with aging. Therefore, the pill puzzle can become highly complex for seniors as they age. Since adults are living to much later ages than ever before, the generally low level of prescription medication adherence among adults needs to be increased. Otherwise, a lower overall quality of health after age 70 may be the consequence.
Digital devices, like the Ōmcare Home Health Hub® make guessing a thing of the past with medication reminders and one-touch access to video conferencing, guaranteeing right med, right time, right person every time.