Results from a recent study, co-authored by Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at NYU, Division of Nursing and published in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing, confirm that the elderly who live alone are at great risk of developing health complications due to poor adherence to their prescribed medication regimen.
"This health risk factor warrants serious attention," says Dr. Fulmer.
The purpose of the study, which was conducted over a ten-week period, was to determine whether daily videotelephone or telephone reminders would increase the number of prescribed cardiac medications taken by elderly patients. The authors recruited individuals, aged 65 and older, who had a primary or secondary diagnosis of congestive heart failure and who live alone at home. These patients were asked to participate in a randomized controlled study, which included reminder calls designed to enhance medication compliance.
The patients were divided into three groups: patients who received usual care (medicine prescribed with no reminders); patients who received daily telephone reminder calls; and patients who received daily videotelephone reminder calls.
The results showed that the patients who did not receive reminders, did not adhere as strictly to their medication regimen. Whereas patients who had received telephone or video telephone intervention showed enhanced compliance. There was no significant difference between the two groups that received reminders.
"With the advent of managed care and cuts in home care reimbursement, the ability to enhance medication compliance by such simple means as a telephone call is important," said Dr. Fulmer. "This pilot study demonstrated a simple, inexpensive approach to helping patients who are quite ill. It suggests the importance of conducting the intervention on a larger scale because it could have a major impact on the well-being of our nation's elderly."
The John A Hartford Institute Foundation for Geriatric Nursing at New York University - The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at NYU seeks to shape the quality of the health care that elderly Americans receive by promoting the highest level of competency in the nurses who deliver that care. By raising the standards of nursing care, the Hartford Institute aims to ensure that people age in comfort and with dignity. The Hartford Website can be visited at www.nyu.edu/education/nursing/hartford.institute . The email address is: hartford.ign@nyu.edu
Terry Fulmer, PdD, RN, FAAN, Co-director, is an award-winning researcher who has devoted her academic career and care practice to a wide range of geriatric issues and in particular elder mistreatment. Her expertise includes the use of informatics to enhance nursing practice. She is professor of nursing and director of the Center for Nursing Research at the Division of Nursing, School of Education at New York University.
Journal
Journal of Gerontological Nursing