Ongoing poor management of medicines in the older-aged living independently in a rental retirement village

Abstract

Background In a low socioeconomic status, small, rental retirement village, we have shown the older-aged managed their medicines poorly (Doggrell and Kairuz in J Pharm Pract Res 42:208–212, 2012). Objective As the number of participants was only 25, and the population in the rental retirement village turns over regularly; our objective was to determine whether the findings were consistent and ongoing. Methods We returned to the rental retirement villages after 1 and 2 years, and reassessed the management of medicines, using the same semi-structured interview method. Main outcome measure The perception of present and ongoing adherence. Results Although similar numbers (23–25) participated in the studies in 2011–2013, the actual participants changed with only three being interviewed on three occasions. Nevertheless, the findings over the 3 years were similar: <50 % of the participants were adherent at the time of the study and unlikely to have problems in the next 6–12 months; only 50 % had a good knowledge of their illnesses. Conclusion The management of medicines by the older-aged living in a low socioeconomic, rental retirement village is poor, and this finding is ongoing and consistent. This supports the need for extra assistance and resources for the older-aged, living in rental retirement villages, to manage their medicines.