To determine the medication management capacity of independently living older people (≥75 years) on polypharmacy (≥ 5 medications) in relation to their cognitive- and self-management skills.

Cross-sectional study.

Two homecare organizations in the Netherlands.

Homecare clients aged 75 and older on polypharmacy (N=95).

The primary outcome measure was medication management capacity, quantified as the number of ‘yes' answers (range = 0–17) on the Medication Management Capacity (MMC) questionnaire. Other measures included self-management ability (assessed with the SMAS30) and cognitive skills (assessed with the clock drawing test).

Overall, 48.4% (n= 46) of the participants were able to manage their medication by themselves at home. About 40% of the participants were unable to state the names of their medications, even with the aid of a medication list, and about 25% reported having problems with opening medication packages. Correlations were found between self-management ability (Rs = 0.473; p < 0.001), cognitive skills (Rs = 0.372; p < 0.001), and age (Rs = 0.216; p < 0.005) and Medication Management Capacity score. Self-management ability and medication management support were significantly associated with medication management capacity.

A considerable proportion of independently living older people who receive home care and regularly use five or more medications lack the knowledge and skills needed to independently manage their own medications. Cognition and self management ability were related to medication management capacity. Self-management ability and medication management support were predictors of medication management capacity.