Taking prescribed medication as directed is critical for patients' health and safety.

Common Non-Compliance Issues

• Failing to fill prescriptions.

• Misreading written instructions or neglecting to clarify verbal instructions with doctor or pharmacist.

• Taking medication at the wrong time -- either too soon or at too long intervals.

• Taking too much or too little medication.

• Forgetting doses.

• Discontinuing medication too soon, or never starting.

Why Patients Don't Take Medicine As Prescribed

1. They don't understand why the medicine is needed or convinced it will work.

Have someone your parent trusts -- you, a friend or relative -- talk to the doctor and then explain the benefits of taking the medicine. Provide examples of how the medication has helped others, if necessary. Be sure to address any questions or concerns they have rather than discount them.

2. They are worried about possible side effects.

Have your parent record any reactions to medication on a tape recorder or notepad placed near where your parent normally takes it. If reactions appear abnormal, consult a doctor. If your Mom or Dad has a history of drug sensitivity, have them try new medication at the doctor's office or with someone at home who can act quickly if there is a problem. The most common side effects to note are headache, dizziness, shortness of breath (asthmatic reaction) and itching (allergy rash/hives or numbing/swelling of the skin.)

3. They forget where they put medicine or forget to take it.

Find a medication dispensing system that works. Some high-tech solutions include:

• A monthly subscriber service that can make automated calls reminding a parent to take medication on time and refill prescriptions.

• A system that dispenses medication and monitors how it is taken for up to 30 days at a time. Other systems store and dispense medication; give the patient and caregiver visual and audible reminders; alert a caregiver of non-compliance; automatically reorder medication when needed; and create and store electronic medication records.

4. They are worried about the cost of the medicine. They cannot read the instructions, or the information is too complicated or confusing.

Have a pharmacist answer your parent's questions, such as whether a drug is covered by Medicare or insurance and how much it will cost. Obtain medication instructions printed in large type from the pharmacist or enlarge the instructions on a photocopy machine. Have your parent use a magnifying glass.

5. They feel fine now and think they no longer need the prescription or they don't want it to become a habit.

Have a doctor address these concerns. If the doctor is not willing to have a discussion and allay your Mom or Dad's uneasiness, you may want to consider switching doctors.