Let's face it: many of us older adults are not as sharp as we used to be. We may recall something one moment, but fail to do so a short time later. This shows how age can influence whether we follow the advice we are given for managing a chronic illness, including the taking of prescribed drugs. There is often no problem with children as their parents usually want what is best for their child. They will check to be certain their youngster takes his or her medicine. Even so, children with some chronic conditions may fail to take drugs that control their illness. This may be a decision of either parents or children or, in some cases, both. There may be a number of issues here that need to be solved by doctors and their patients working together. Being a teenager can be a barrier, particularly if you have a chronic illness. In wanting to be like your friends you see as healthier then you or in showing your parents they don't know what they are talking about having you taking controller drugs every day, you may quit taking your medicine. If you stop taking your daily drugs, there is no often no short-term change in your condition. You may think, "Hey, I was right after all!"

Middle-aged and younger senior patients are usually the best at following instructions; they are becoming aware that they won’t be around forever and want to make the most out of the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, as noted, as we become older we may not be as sharp as we used to be. We may forget what drugs we need to take or whether we have already taken them for that day. The difficulties are increased by the fact that many seniors experience a situation where they are supposed to take drugs for several conditions. It is not unusual, for example, for a senior to take daily medications to control hypertension, high cholesterol, or any of the other maladies that occur as the result of the wear and tear of aging. On the positive side, if barriers to compliance can be detected for individual patients, behavioral strategies can be developed to help them change. Older patients can be great in making the effort to see these processes work.

Problem solving between patients and their health care partners is important at all ages. Have you any experiences you would like to share about the role of age in taking medicines? Are there any ways that work for you, no matter your age, in taking drugs?