Role of Nurses in Improving Medication Adherence among Elderly Patients

Abstract

Medication adherence is critical for managing chronic conditions, especially among elderly patients, as it directly influences health outcomes, quality of life, and healthcare costs. Non-adherence in this population has been associated with increased rates of hospitalization, disease progression, and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that improving medication adherence could yield more substantial health improvements than developing new medical treatments (Sabaté, 2003). For elderly patients, adherence is particularly vital due to the prevalence of multimorbidity and chronic diseases, which necessitate consistent medication regimens to prevent complications and maintain functional independence (Hugtenburg et al., 2013).