Rebellion of the Greys: Elderly Folks Increasingly Refusing Their Meds
Even though her eyes were clouded with cataracts, Mrs. Romero’s gaze was steady, leaving no room for ambiguity. No room for argument. “I won’t take insulin,” she said firmly, “I don’t care if I die.” Period. End of discussion. At 85-years-of-age, my patient was joining the ranks of a new movement: elderly patients who refuse to take medications ordered by their doctors.
Isolated incidents or the cusp of a new trend? Just how big is…