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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 4. Strategies for improving medication adherence in older patients.

Patients with low levels of health literacy

  • Offer structured or guided support for medical problem solving by providing information about medication and asking patient to explain consequences of not taking it or how to cope with adverse effects.

  • Provide information to patient orally and in writing at a level understandable to the patient. When in doubt, assess readability level of written information through measures available in standard word processing software (search for “readability” in software help function).

Patients with lack of understanding of the medication's purpose or impact on a disease

  • One-to-one educational intervention that includes questions and answers to ensure patient understanding

  • Provide written information, individually tailored if possible

  • Include the purpose of the medication in the written prescription so that it is printed on the prescription bottle label (eg, “Sig: donepezil, 10 mg: One every day for memory problems”).

  • Provide the patient with an easy-to-read summary of the medication or medication changes that includes the purpose.

Patients with memory or general cognitive impairment

  • Provide a pillbox or blister pack

  • Encourage patient to enroll in an automated reminding service when available

  • Coaching the patient on using daily routine as a support for medication adherence (eg, always taking medication at breakfast)

Patients living alone or not having a caregiver

  • Mobilize patient's family to assist in supervision (even if via telephone)

  • Investigate local visiting nurse and social work services

Patients with complex regimen dosing

  • Simplify medication regimen to fewest possible doses each day

Communication difficulties between physician and patient or patient-caregiver dyad

  • Explain why the medication is prescribed and what outcome is expected

  • Emphasize the shared responsibility of the patient and physician in health outcomes

  • Explore factors in the patient's life relevant to obtaining and using the medication as scheduled

Lack of insurance or other inability to pay for medication

  • Provide information on manufacturers' programs to provide medications

  • Assist patients in enrollment in programs

  • Consider switching to generic medications when suitable alternatives are available

Created for GERIATRICS by RL Ownby.