Introduction: Communication between nurses and patients is a key element of high-quality nursing care and forms the foundation for successful, safe, and effective treatment of older patients. With an aging population, both the number of chronic diseases and the need for consistent therapy adherence are increasing, making therapeutic communication one of the most important factors in ensuring safe and effective healthcare. Purpose: The aim of this thesis is to define and analyze the importance and challenges of therapeutic communication between nurses and older adults in relation to medication use. The objectives are to determine how effective communication influences medication adherence, identify the most common communication barriers, and explore methods and strategies for safe medication storage in home-care enviroments. Methods: A descriptive method with a systematic literature review was used, covering the period from 2015 to 2025. The literature was obtained from the PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect and ResearchGate databases using relevant keywords and Boolean operators ''AND'' and ''OR''. Inclusion and exclusion criteria focused on high-quality and relevant literature in Slovenian and English. A total of 17 sources were included in the final analysis. Results: Findings show that effective nursing communication has a significant impact on medication adherence among older adults by improving understanding of therapeutic instructions, enhancing motivation for cooperation, and ensuring greater treatment safety. The main barriers include cognitive and sensory limitations among older adults, nurses' time constraints, and inadequate communication environments. Through an adapted approach, use of clear language, visual aids, teach-back techniques, and family involvement, nurses play an important role in promoting adherence and safe medication use. Discussion and conclusion: Communication in nursing care extends beyond the simple exchange of medical information − it is a process of building trust and partnership between nurses and the patients. Therapeutic communication requires professional competence, emotional intelligence, and the ability to adapt to individual needs, which enhances both care quality and patient satisfaction. Effective and empathetic communication is essential for safe, holistic and high-quality nursing care. Nurse play a vital role in educating, monitoring, and supporting patients in the corect storage and use of medications, therby reducing errors and improving treatment outcomes as wll as the overall quality of life for older adults.
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