PRACTICE OF FORMAL CAREGIVERS IN MEDICATION MANAGEMENT OF ELDERLY PEOPLE, IN A HOME CONTEXT

Abstract

Objective: To characterize knowledge and practices of formal caregivers regarding the medication regimen of elderly people, in a home context. Method: Exploratory, descriptive study with a quantitative approach. The target population consisted of formal caregivers from institutions providing Home Support Services in a municipality in the southern region of Portugal. The data collection instrument is a self-designed questionnaire to characterize caregivers and their perception of training and practices, in a work context, regarding medication management. To process the data, Microsoft® software, Excel®, was used. All ethical procedures were complied with in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki on Ethics in Research Involving Human Beings. Results: It was found that there were some gaps in the knowledge and practices carried out by formal caregivers regarding the medication management of elderly people. There was a need for in-service training on the topic of medication management. Conclusions: The lack of training in the area of medication management for elderly people may eventually compromise their safety, due to bad practices and/or lack of knowledge.