Towards simpler medication regimens: understanding and addressing complex medication regimens for older people

Abstract

Older people often have complex medication regimens. In residential aged care, complex medication regimens are often a burden for residents and time-consuming for nurses and aged care workers to administer. This thesis investigated factors associated with complex medication regimens, developed the first tool to guide clinicians to simplify complex medication regimens, and investigated the time taken to administer complex regimens. The thesis also investigated whether having a complex medication regimen is a risk factor for bleeding in people who take anticoagulant medications. The findings will inform better care for older people with complex medication regimens.