Knowledge gaps and family caregiver roles in supporting quality use of medicines among older adults.

OBJECTIVE

To explore family caregiver roles, caregiver knowledge gaps, and medication-use problems among older adults in a Thai urban community.

METHODS

A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted among 47 older adult-family caregiver dyads selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were collected using structured surveys and analyzed descriptively. Qualitative data was obtained through home observations and semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Medication-use problems were common among older adults, including non-adherence (67.7%), improper medication storage (53.2%), and adverse drug reactions (24.7%). Family caregivers demonstrated substantial knowledge gaps regarding medication side effects (66.0%), drug interactions (68.1%), and adverse-effect management (72.3%). Qualitative findings showed that caregivers played important roles in medication reminders, monitoring, care coordination, and support for daily medication management.

CONCLUSION

Family caregivers are essential to medication management among older adults, yet significant knowledge gaps persist. Caregiver education and family-centered shared-care models may help support quality medication use.