The Importance of Assisted Living Properly Managing Medications

April 14, 2023 by ·
Medication Management: Assisted Living Theodore AL

Medication Management: Assisted Living Theodore AL

A high number of elderly men and women are taking some type of prescription medication. When it comes to assisted living (a great elder care choice), it is estimated that about 85% of residents require assistance managing their medications. That means it’s incredibly important to choose the right assisted living community for your elderly loved one or yourself. This doesn’t immediately mean the senior needs to have medication administered to them, but rather assistance, reminders, or suggestions to help them stay on top of their regimen.

Many of those seniors who choose assisted living for their elder care future require numerous medications taken at different times throughout the day. There are pill organizers, calendars, apps for mobile devices and tablets, and many other techniques, strategies, and tools that can help people of all ages stay on top of their regimen of prescription medications.

Still, for aging men and women, this seemingly simple task can become complicated. That’s why it is vital to choose an assisted living community that has the staff, personnel, training, and compassion to be forthcoming in their support and assistance for those who need it.

Why is it Important?

If a person takes the wrong prescription medication at the wrong time, say if it’s supposed be taken on an empty stomach and they take it while they are eating breakfast regularly, a number of potential complications can arise. These are just two quick examples. Some seniors will take their evening slew of pills in the morning, accidentally swapping them out. Or they might forget and then double up the next day, thinking that will solve the problem.

If a person is taking a medication with a meal that was supposed to be taken on an empty stomach, its effectiveness and potency can be drastically reduced or other complications can arise. Doctors prescribe medications for very specific reasons. Some medications are prescribed because of others the seniors taking, and they cannot be taken together.

Although, it’s not only that. More than two thirds of assisted living communities rely on a pharmacist or doctor (or contract with an outside service provider) to review the medications their residents are taking to make sure they’re appropriate and won’t produce potentially harmful complications when taken together. That is generally the primary job of a pharmacist or the person’s doctor, but having that extra review system helps to protect each resident.

But, as you can see, not all assisted living communities will do this. Which is why, when you’re searching for an assisted living community for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to check what kind of support, service, or protections are in place to help residents manage (potentially) a growing number of prescription medications they have to take.

How Do You Find Out This Information?

Ask an administrator. You can contact any assisted living community right now, ask to speak to an administrator, and ask this question directly: What processes or procedures do you have in place to help residents manage their prescription medications, take them properly, and ensure they remain safe while living at your facility?

When they give you that answer, you will know because you now understand the importance of medication management for seniors.

If you or an aging loved one are considering a move to Assisted Living in Theodore, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

Filed Under: Assisted Living, Assisted Living in Theodore AL, Seniors and Health Issues · Tagged: , ,
About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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