a Shinshu University , School of Health Sciences , Matsumoto , Japan.
Clin Gerontol. 2019 Jan-Feb;42(1):127-133. doi: 10.1080/07317115.2017.1347594. Epub 2017 Oct 13.
This article describes four older adults with Alzheimer's disease and comorbidities who used an automatic medication dispenser (AMD) to continue pharmacotherapy for these chronic diseases and who remained at home living either alone or with an older spouse. The AMDs were used for 3 to 4.5 years. The patients scored at least 21 on the Mini-Mental State Examination, and their dosing regimen involved taking the medication once or twice per day throughout this period. The caregivers filled the devices with medications once every 1 to 2 weeks and continuously monitored the patients' conditions nearly every day. Additionally, one caregiver changed how the device is used to accommodate a participant's conditions. As a result of using the device, medication adherence remained good, and caregiver burden was reduced. The results indicate that an AMD can be used as a long-term medication management tool for some older adults with dementia when caregivers provide continued support, as described above. Further research is needed to clarify the necessary conditions for using an AMD and to identify benefits for older adults with dementia to use AMDs to take medication on a long-term basis.
本文描述了 4 位患有阿尔茨海默病及合并症的老年人，他们使用自动药物分发器（AMD）继续进行这些慢性病的药物治疗，并独自或与老年配偶一起居家生活。这些 AMD 使用了 3 到 4.5 年。患者的简易精神状态检查得分至少为 21 分，且他们的给药方案在这段时间内每天服药一次或两次。护理人员每 1 到 2 周为设备装药一次，并几乎每天持续监测患者的情况。此外，一名护理人员改变了设备的使用方式以适应一名参与者的情况。由于使用了该设备，药物依从性保持良好，并且护理人员的负担减轻了。结果表明，当护理人员提供持续支持时，AMD 可以作为一些患有痴呆症的老年人的长期药物管理工具。需要进一步的研究来阐明使用 AMD 的必要条件，并确定患有痴呆症的老年人使用 AMD 长期服药的益处。
