Sectional and observational study, which investigates access to medicine, socioeconomic and demographic profiles and their association with drug adherence to drug therapy in diabetic elderly assisted in a gerontogeriatric public service. Data were collected from 126 participants through structured interviews between February and September 2011. The results reveal that 47.6% of the elderly received their drug from the public health system. The elderly women prevailed, in more than 9 years of studies, retired and income of 1-2 minimum wages. As for drug adherence, 93.7% reported using their medication regularly, but only 52.4% were considered compliant under the Test of Batalha. There was no association between socioeconomic and demographic variables and self-reported adherence. It is necessary to invest in educational initiatives targeted to the elderly patients to promote adherence to therapy.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.15253/2175-6783.20130002000018