TY - JOUR T1 - Medication work among nonagenarians: a qualitative study of the Newcastle 85+ cohort participants at 97 years old JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract DO - 10.3399/BJGP.2022.0188 SP - BJGP.2022.0188 AU - Joy Adamson AU - Helen Hanson AU - Adam Todd AU - Rachel Duncan AU - Barbara Hanratty AU - Louise Robinson Y1 - 2023/03/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/early/2023/03/06/BJGP.2022.0188.abstract N2 - Background People aged ≥85 years are the fastest growing section of our population across most high-income countries. A majority live with multiple long-term conditions and frailty, but there is limited understanding of how the associated polypharmacy is experienced by this group.Aim To explore the experiences of medication management among nonagenarians and the implications for primary care practice.Design and setting Qualitative analysis of medication work in nonagenarians from a purposive sample of survivors of the Newcastle 85+ study (a longitudinal cohort study).Method Semi-structured interviews (n = 20) were conducted, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using a thematic approach.Results In most cases, although considerable work is associated with self-management of medication use, it is generally not experienced as problematic by the older people themselves. Taking medications is habitualised into everyday routines and practices, and is experienced in much the same way as other activities of daily living. For some, the work associated with medications has been relinquished (either partially or wholly) to others, minimising the burden experienced by the individual. Exceptions to this were found when disruptions to these steady states occurred, for example, following a new medical diagnosis with associated medication changes or a major life event.Conclusion This study has shown a high level of acceptance of the work associated with medications among this group and trust in the prescribers to provide the most appropriate care. Medicines optimisation should build on this trust and be presented as personalised, evidence-based care. ER -