Week 7 - Psychosocial Factors

Question 1

What are the 5 psychosocial factors of the older adult?

Answer 1

1. Factors that affect the appropriate use of medication
2. Myths and misunderstandings
3. Communication barriers
4. Communication
5. Financial considerations

Question 2

What 3 factors affect medication administration in the older adult?

Answer 2

• higher incidence of chronic diseases
• media pressure
• availability of other nutraceuticals (herbs and homeopathic remedies)

Question 3

What are the factors affecting appropriate use of medication? (3 factors, 9 points)

Answer 3

1. Knowledge and motivation and function
   - purpose of the medication information about how and when to take it (health literacy)
2. Sensory issues
   - ability to read, print, and directions
   - hearing ability
3. Physical Issues
   - ability to swallow
   - remove from bottle
   - dexterity for applying meds nasally, transdermally…

Question 4

What are some myths and misunderstandings on older adults and polypharmacy? (3)

Answer 4

• attitude about wanting a quick fix an understanding of ageing
• lack of knowledge of adverse drug reactions of over-the-counter medications
• not considering nonpharmacological approaches as safe and effective to problems like anxiety and depression

Question 5

Another psychosocial factor of the older adult are ____ barriers

Answer 5

communication

Question 6

Why is communication a psychosocial factor of the older adult? (4)

Answer 6

1. the fear of disclosing information about medication from other sources
2. assumption that once on a medication, they should stay on that medication and that it should not change
3. assumption by the patient that you cannot develop adverse drug reactions after being on the medication for a long time

• these assumptions are often true of the health practitioner as well

Question 7

What are other factors that contribute to polypharmacy and misuse of medications by the older adult? (7)

Answer 7

• cognitive impairment
• social isolation and depression
• asymptomatic disease
• low health literacy
• ADR
• long treatment duration
• Having a complex drug regime schedule

Question 8

Are healthcare providers always knowledgable on polypharmacy and adverse drug reactions?

Answer 8

• no, ADR are likely to be misinterpreted or not recognize because of their similarities to disease symptoms