Patient Education and the Older Drug Taker

Abstract

Much of the drug misuse and abuse that has been identified among the elderly may be the result of ignorance on the part of the drug taker. However, taking the responsibility for self-administration of drugs away from the older patient is an example of role reversal and is often perceived as insulting. Most of the medications that are taken by older people are self-administered, and the practitioner has an important function to perform in developing an educational program that will help to assure that older drug takers will receive accurate and timely dosages. Individual sessions conducted by a responsible clinician provide for the most effective learning on the part of the aged. Objectives and techniques for effective patient drug education are discussed.