Medication Issues in Informal Dementia Caregivers and Care Recipients

Medication use is a salient issue in informal dementia caregivers and care recipients. This descriptive study provides information about the number and type of medications used by dementia family caregivers (N = 66) and community-dwelling dementia care recipients (N = 51). Medication data were obtained from caregivers during a telephone interview about health care utilization and categorized using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System. Approximately 75% of caregivers and 49% of care recipients reported utilizing multiple medications. Many caregivers (41%) and care recipients (53%) were taking psychotropic medications; 89% of physicians prescribing psychotropic medications to caregivers were nonpsychiatrists. These results suggest the likelihood of medication-related concerns for informal dementia caregivers as well as the potential for nonadherence and side effects related to polypharmacy.