Valletta elderly’s perceptions of and relations to medicine : how these may effect their social relations

Abstract

This dissertation looks at the elderly residents of Valletta and their perceptions of and relationships to, medicines. It will show the ways in which medicines have implications on social relations. My informants seem to accept the fact that they have to take medicines in order to maintain an acceptable lifestyle. We could not say however that all my informants were ‘charmed’ by medicines. Some would only accept to use them in extreme situations, such as chronic diseases. Although a small minority, these cases stood out during fieldwork due to their strong convictions in this respect. This study focuses on the readiness with which others take medicines, sometimes even through the suggestions of friends and kin. Through the study of the elderly’s relations to medicines and illness, this dissertation also reveals the elderly’s perceptions of and relationships to, healthcare professionals such as doctors and pharmacists.