INTRODUCTION:
The growth of the elderly population is associated with the high prevalence of chronic diseases. This fact favors the exposure of this population to the use of multiple medications, also to increased physical and mental disabilities, bringing challenges for families and society.
OBJECTIVE:
To describe the increase in the use of medication in elderly hypertensive patients with cognitive impairment, assisted by the Family Health Strategy (FHS), and identify related factors.
METHOD:
Cross-sectional study with quantitative approach, performed in eight FHS in Dourados-MS, Brazil. Sample included 124 members, of both sexes, with diagnosis of hypertension. Instruments used: questionnaire for demographic data; Mini-Mental State Examination and Accession Self-report to Medicines, with eight items.
RESULTS:
Prevalence of elderly women, low education, with little financial income, living together and self-assessing health as very good, good or regular. There was significant difference between pharmacological treatment with age (p<0.001) and elderly with some degree of cognitive impairment (p=0.033). Among elderly who have some degree of cognitive impairment, 76.3% live together and 23.7%, alone. It is noteworthy that among elderly living with other people, 29.0% adhered to drug therapeutic, and of those living alone, only 9.2%.
CONCLUSION:
Variables "per capita income", "education" and "family arrangement" had no effect on adherence to drug therapy, but "age" and "cognitive impairment", yes. We highlight the possible positive influence of family on pharmacological treatment, especially if the elderly has cognitive function disorders.
Elderly of the Health; Medication Adherence; Cognition; Primary Health Care