Universität zu Köln

Pohontsch, Nadine Janis, Loeffler, Antje, Luck, Tobias ORCID: 0000-0001-7551-4397, Heser, Kathrin, Parker, Debora, Haenisch, Britta, Riedel-Heller, Steffi G., Jessen, Frank and Scherer, Martin (2018). Informal caregivers' perspectives on health of and (potentially inappropriate) medication for (relatively) independent oldest-old people -a qualitative interview study. BMC Geriatr., 18. LONDON: BMC. ISSN 1471-2318

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Background: Oldest-old persons frequently receive potentially inappropriate medication. Medication use takes place under the patients' informal caregivers' influence. We explored informal caregivers' perspectives on medication of (relatively) independent oldest-old persons to identify starting points for safer medication prescription/handling. Methods: In this exploratory qualitative interview study we interviewed 45 informal caregivers of 45 oldest-old persons (23 with potentially inappropriate medication/22 without potentially inappropriate medication). Interviews were recorded, transcribed and content analyzed (deductive/inductive coding). Results: Interviewees had little knowledge about/influence on oldest-old persons' medication, but declared to monitor oldest-old persons' needs for assistance. They were unaware of the concept of potentially inappropriate medication but sometimes sensitive to substance dependency. Most informal caregivers were satisfied with the oldest-old persons' medication and viewed medication as increasing the patients' quality of life. Inadequate communication was found between informal caregivers and general practitioners. Conclusions: Influence of informal caregivers on (relatively) independent oldest-old persons' medication seems low. Stakeholders need to be aware that there is a transitional period where independency of oldest-old persons decreases and support needs increase which may be missed by (in-) formal caregivers or concealed by oldest-old persons. Monitoring patients' medication competencies; measures supporting communication between informal caregivers and health care professionals; provision of educational and support resources for informal caregivers and the acceptance of oldest-old persons' increasing assistance needs may increase medication safety.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Pohontsch, Nadine Janis UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Loeffler, Antje UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Luck, Tobias UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0001-7551-4397 UNSPECIFIED Heser, Kathrin UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Parker, Debora UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Haenisch, Britta UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Riedel-Heller, Steffi G. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Jessen, Frank UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Scherer, Martin UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-179507
DOI:	10.1186/s12877-018-0849-5
Journal or Publication Title:	BMC Geriatr.
Volume:	18
Date:	2018
Publisher:	BMC
Place of Publication:	LONDON
ISSN:	1471-2318
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language CARE UTILIZATION; MANAGEMENT; ADULTS Multiple languages Geriatrics & Gerontology; Gerontology Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/17950