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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Jan 11.
Published in final edited form as: Geriatrics. 2006 Feb;61(2):30–35.

Table 2. Adherence assessment in older patients.

Assessing current adherence behavior
First, evaluate how the patient takes his or her medications

  • From pharmacy bottle, other packaging (eg, blister pack)

  • Is the patient assisted by a caregiver?

  • Does the patient use any organizing device, such as a weekly pill organizer?

Ask that the patient bring all medications to each visit

  • Assess number of doses available for each medication in relation to refill date

  • Check refill dates to ensure that medications are refilled at appropriate intervals

Self report or pill counts – not recommended because of inaccuracy

  • If this strategy is used, ask patients open-ended questions about how they take their medications

Caregiver report – accuracy unclear but may be discrepant from patient report2

Source: Created for GERIATRICS by RL Ownby based on information from references 2, 6, 22-24.