Predictors of Recall of Medication Regimens and Recommendations for Lifestyle Change in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Post-visit recall of medication regimens and lifestyle recommendations was explored among 83 elderly patients making visits to a clinic which specialized in care of the elderly. Recall was problematic, with the average elderly patient failing to recall 46% of the medications recorded in the chart. Of the 42 patients receiving lifestyle recommendations, 52% failed to recall them post-visit. Patterns of communication during the visit were more strongly related to recall than patients' ages, affective state or cognitive functioning.