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A Longitudinal Evaluation of Medication Use Among the Old-Old Population in Israel

Chaim Sheba Medical Center

Dov Shmotkin

Tel Aviv University

Nitza Eyal

Tel Aviv University

Aviva Shorek

Tel Aviv University

Liat Lerner-Geva

Chaim Sheba Medical Center

This study examined patterns and predictors of change in medication use among old-old participants (aged 75 to 94 years) in a three-wave national Israeli study. The findings indicated a significant increase in the number of medications on short-term follow-up (3.6 years) and a modest, marginally significant increase in the long term (11.7 years). The number of medications was predicted by predisposing characteristics and baseline needs of physical and mental health, explaining 20% of the variance in the short- and long-term models. Women, married individuals, and those with low perceived health and low depressive symptoms tended to increase their use in the short term, whereas men, low-income individuals, and those with higher comorbidities and low difficulties in instrumental activity of daily living tended to increase their use in the long term. The leveling of medication use found on long-term follow-up highlights the particular dynamics of health behavior and health care practices relating to the old-old population.

Key Words: medication use • longitudinal study • old-old

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