Abstract
Older adults' failure to comply with their medication regimens has motivated considerable research. Much previous research has concentrated on the creation of physical memory aids or has focused on the role of conditions like depression. However, the ways in which older adults do adhere to their medication regimens – their medication memory strategies – can also provide useful information. Through an understanding of these adherence strategies as well as the conditions under which nonadherence occurs, we can analyze the relationship between reported strategies and variables, like metamemory, non-routine activities, and medication regimen complexity. The present study proposes a questionnaire designed to elicit this information from older adults. Data from this questionnaire can be used to increase medication adherence by providing guidelines for specialized adherence strategies, identifying conditions under which nonadherence is most likely to occur, and by providing insight into future design of memory aids for medication taking.
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