The elderly and a multi-medication treatment

Abstract

The object of this work is to study multi-medication in elder individuals and the difficulties found by them in the administration of several medications. The objective was to get to know the problem and seek actions to minimize the medicamentous iatrogenicity among the elderly. The research was developed in a quantitative approach, and the data collecting was accomplished through an structured interview done with 20 individuals that participate regularly in a college extension project in the city of Niterói – RJ (Brazil). Data were presented through graphs and tables. It was observed the use of a significant amount of medication and some difficulties in their administration by the elder individuals, as well as little knowledge regarding of what they were taking. It was concluded that the elderly possess few information regarding their medications and that nursing educational actions can minimize the complications resulting from multi-medication used by them.