Self-medication in older adults: An important yet challenging issue

Abstract

The elderly stage is a vulnerable phase in the human lifespan, wherein individuals face potential risks such as a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses, feelings of loneliness and isolation, and a lack of social assistance. Moreover, due to physical and mental limitations, their personal autonomy is often jeopardized in various circumstances [1]. Older adults may independently take medications due to existing physical and mental health conditions. Self-medication is a significant aspect of self-care practices and a key topic in healthcare discussions [2]. Self-medication is a behavior in which a person tries to fix his illness or health problem without the help and opinion of professionals. Self-medication can be done by consuming an industrial or handmade drug, obtaining drugs without a specialist's prescription, using prescribed drugs in similar cases, dividing prescribed drugs for a person among family members and acquaintances, using additional and remaining drugs at home, refraining from taking the original prescribed medicine, whether it is done by taking extra medicine without a doctor's prescription or not taking the medicine completely [3].