Psychotropic and Social Drug Use in the Rural Community Elderly

<p>The use of psychotropic agents among the rural elderly is an area of concern for health care providers. Studies have indicated that the elderly are major consumers of psychotropic prescription and overthe- counter medications, however no studies have examined the rural elderly's patterns of psychotropic drug use.<br> The purpose of this study was to determine the utilization patterns of prescription and over-thecounter psychotropic medications by the rural community-based elderly. The use of alcohol and caffeine was also determined.<br> Personal interviews were conducted with 30 elderly living independently in a rural midwestern community. The data revealed that 13.3% of the subjects used prescription psychotropic medications and none used psychotropic over-the-counter drugs. Seven subjects reported alcohol use and 43% consumed three or more cups of coffee daily. Although the use of the psychotropic agents was relatively low, the elderly may need education interventions to maintain independent functioning in the rural community.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - University Access Only

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Graduate Nursing

Year

1993

Author dc:creator

• Kovarna, Mary

Contributors dc:contributor

• Phyllis Gaspar

• social drug use among rural elderly
• psychotropic drugs
• Nursing

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 1993 Mary Kovarna. All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/756

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-1756