Social support and medication adherence in older adults

Abstract

Social support is a major determinant of health in all stages of the life cycle but particularly important in older age. Research has been demonstrating an association between social support and adherence to medication. The aim of this study was to explore the association between social support and adherence to medication in elders. Participants were 520 individuals, community-dwellers aged between 65 and 99 (M = 76; SD = 7.1). Three instruments were used: a Demographic and Clinical Questionnaire, and the Portuguese versions of the Reported Adherence to Medication Scale (RAM) and the Social Support Scale. The results indicate that participants report a good social support, which is particularly high in the dimension of emotional and family support. The lower level of social support is related to the financial support. High levels of medication adherence were also reported, although not so high in the oldest participants. Through a multiple linear regression analysis, age and the three dimensions of social support were found to explain 11.6% of variance in medication adherence scores. The variable with the greatest predictive value was the subscale Lack of control (β = 0.18, p = 0.001). This study reinforces the role of social support as a determinant of medication adherence, therefore, health care professionals should consider interventions aimed to promote social support that enhance autonomy and a sense of control in older adults.