Predictors of Older Adults’ Capacity for Medication Management in a Self-Medication Program: A Retrospective Chart Review

Objectives: The aim of this project was to identify variables that predicted older adults’ ability to manage medications. Methods: The study used a retrospective cohort design and was set in a self-medication program within a rehabilitation hospital. A random sample of charts from 301 participants in the self-medication program was reviewed. Results: Logistic regression models accounted for 26.7% and 55.8% of the variance in the probability of making one or more self-medication errors during the initial and final weeks of the program, respectively. The importance of cognition in predicting medication management capacity was seen in bivariate and multivariate analyses and through a number of interactions with other predictors. Statistically significant predictors in one or both analyses included medication regimen complexity, Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) score, duration of institutionalization, depression, and interactions between (a) medication regimen complexity and MMSE score and (b) ability to cook and MMSE score. Discussion: The direct effects of cognition and medication regimen complexity were important predictors of medication management capacity.