Medication Adherence of Elderly Citizens in Retirement Homes Through A Mobile Phone Adherence Monitoring Framework (Mpamf) for Developing Countries: A Case Study in South Africa

Abstract

Background: This paper investigated medication adherence among elderly people in retirement villages in South Africa. A case study approach was used. Methods: Twelve participants were purposively selected from six retirement homes in Gauteng Province. Data collected used semi-structured open ended interview questions. Interviewees (elderly people above 60 years) were asked to tell in their own words different types of medicine taken daily, how many times, how often they forgot to take their medication every week, and how often someone reminded them to take their medication. Interviewees were further asked if they owned mobile phones. Results: Findings revealed that elderly people take an average of four-five pills three times daily for chronic diseases like coronary artery. Findings further revealed that 100% of elderly people own mobile phones. However, they received no reminders when they forgot their medication. Conclusion: This led to a proposed Mobile Phone Adherence Monitoring Framework (MPAMF) based on self-efficacy of elderly people. MPAMF could leverage mobile phones technologies to remind elderly people to take their medication as prescribed, warn them when they take medication at incorrect times and report to a caregiver when they constantly miss medication event.