Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of co-morbidity and polypharmacy among elderly, and how these variables were associated with the need of help with activities in daily living. The study revealed that co-morbidity and polypharmacy were common, and that both variables were significantly correlated with personal activities in daily living as well as to instrumental activities in daily living. Furthermore, those who lived in special accommodations reported significantly more diseases and used significantly more prescribed medicine. Thus, problems associated with co-morbidity and polypharmacy are important to considered in gerontological nursing care, especially in special accommodations.
