Editor's E-Note
Medication adherence is extremely important regardless of age. However, older adults can struggle with medication adherence for a variety of reasons including physical decline, financial strain, and cognitive decline. This month’s exclusive dives into the complications caregivers face while attempting to ensure medication adherence/safety in the administration of said medication to the older adults for which they care.
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— Josh Hildebrand |
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Ensuring Medication Safety in Older Adults’ Home Care
As the global population ages, the safety and efficacy of medication management for older adults have become critical public health priorities. A groundbreaking study set to be published in BMC Geriatrics in 2026 sheds new light on the complexities family caregivers face when managing medications for elderly relatives in home settings. The multidisciplinary research team led by Kiiski, Airaksinen, and Karasti embarked on comprehensive home visits that incorporated interviews, direct observations, and detailed medication reviews, revealing significant insights into medication safety challenges outside traditional clinical environments.
Medication safety in the context of family caregiving is a multifaceted issue that intersects with cognitive decline, polypharmacy, socioeconomic factors, and caregiver burden. Older adults often juggle multiple chronic conditions, necessitating complex pharmacological regimens that increase the risk of adverse drug events. This study’s methodology emphasized in-situ assessment, recognizing that hospital or clinical data alone fails to capture the intricacies of medication management as it unfolds within the realities of a patient’s home and daily routines.
The research team’s approach involved direct, face-to-face interviews with both caregivers and older adults. These dialogues provided qualitative data illuminating the caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceived challenges regarding medication administration. Importantly, the interactions revealed a recurring theme: despite caregivers’ best intentions, there was often a lack of comprehensive understanding about medication purposes, dosing schedules, and potential side effects. This knowledge gap can lead to inadvertent medication errors or nonadherence, amplifying health risks over time.
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GLP-1 Drugs Could Slow Biological Aging
While widely known for their treatment of diabetes and, more recently, weight loss, glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonist medications may also slow down biological aging. Researchers suggest that the reduction of excess fat and inflammation may be responsible, according to a study published in Nature Communications.
Potential Link Between Major Surgery and Memory Loss
The impact of major surgery on older adults is well documented—what isn’t as well documented is its impact on memory and cognitive function. Research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that, out of a cohort of 560 adults, 70 of whom showed no signs of dementia, almost 15% of participants experienced a decline in cognitive function, with memory and thinking abilities deteriorating over time. |
Keeping an Eye on Patients
Smith+Nephew recently announced the US launch of the next-generation LEAF♢ Patient Monitoring System, a data-driven pressure injury prevention platform designed to help health care providers tackle the growing burden of hospital-acquired pressure injuries by strengthening protocols and outcomes. The LEAF System uses a wearable sensor to monitor patient mobility and provide real-time turn status updates, helping to improve workflow efficiency, turn quality, and protocol adherence.
LEAF Next Generation is a cloud-hosted solution that features a redesigned and enhanced user interface. LEAF Next Generation helps ensure that at-risk patients get the necessary care at the appropriate time, with improved turn quality and protocol adherence. The system seamlessly integrates with hospital EMRs, helping nurses to adhere to turning protocols using real time data and reporting that quickly identifies at-risk patients. |
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