Medication counseling for the elderly: effects on knowledge and compliance after hospital discharge.

The findings from the instruments used in this study and the additional qualitative data of the personal interviews provide information helpful to the nurse's understanding of medication knowledge and compliance patterns in older persons. Investigations that study older persons over time are needed to identify how behaviors change. Such studies would also be helpful in identifying self-care behaviors learned over extended periods of time. It may also be helpful to investigate knowledge and compliance behaviors in the home setting, where the environment may be more conducive to learning. With the patient assuming more and more responsibility for self-care, it is imperative that professionals explore all opportunities to assist patients in acquiring the skills essential to promoting their own well-being.