Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Major Reason Older Adults Miss Their Medications

A study in Cureus highlights a hidden but powerful factor behind medication non‑adherence in older adults: mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Researchers evaluated 436 adults aged 60+ living with chronic conditions. Their findings were eye‑opening:

• Nearly half (48.6%) were not taking medications as prescribed.
• 41.5% had mild cognitive impairment.
• Those with MCI were more than twice as likely to be non‑adherent — even after adjusting for other variables.
• Side effects and feeling medications “weren’t effective” also contributed to poor adherence.

Why it matters:
MCI often goes unnoticed, yet it directly affects daily routines like managing multiple prescriptions. When cognitive changes aren’t recognized, medication plans fail — leading to worsening health and preventable hospitalizations.

What helps:

• Early cognitive screening
• Simplified medication schedules
• Pill organizers and reminder systems
• Support from family or home‑health services
• Honest conversations about side effects and expectations
• A home health episode for medication training and adherence strategies
• A personal aide to help with medication reminders and other daily tasks

Bottom line:
Medication adherence isn’t just about willpower – it’s about cognitive health. Recognizing MCI and offering                 the right support can dramatically improve outcomes for older adults.

Reference:

Al‑Shammari SA, Al‑Dawood KM, Al‑Mubarak ZM, Al‑Hussain FA, Al‑Hussain HA, Al‑Hussain MA, et al. Mild Cognitive Impairment as a Predictor of Medication Non‑Adherence in Older Adults with Chronic Diseases.

Cureus. 2023;15(8): e43263. doi:10.7759/cureus.43263.

Print PDF