According to the ASCP (American Society of Consultant Pharmacists), a senior care pharmacy employs pharmacists who provide expertise on prescription management to senior citizens, wherever they may reside. These pharmacies and pharmacists are often not based from one single location. Instead, they work within hospice care facilities, nursing facilities, and assisted living homes. The work of these pharmacies and pharmacists benefits the lifestyle of the elderly who require more care as they get older.
If you are the owner or administrator of an assisted living facility, hospice care center, or any other program which dedicates its services to the long-term care of senior populations, the implementation of senior care pharmacy services is one way that you can help to provide more comprehensive patient care. More specifically, these specialized pharmaceutical services improve senior quality of life in three ways.
1. Specializations in Needed Areas
Since the health considerations for any individual become more complicated with age, senior care pharmacists are equipped with many different areas of expertise. They have all been trained and educated with knowledge in geriatric care, which is defined by Oxford Dictionary as the care for the elderly. It is the role of the pharmacist to inform the clinical team, other caregivers, and the patient about prescription management— a task which becomes more significant as aging individuals take more medications and increase the risk of adverse drug interactions.
2. Round-the-Clock Support
Most senior care pharmacies are also open all day, every day. If there are any questions or concerns that should be addressed as soon as possible, a pharmacist will always be available to help.
3. Awareness of Long-Term Considerations
If you are a senior care facility administrator, it is likely that your residents have been or will be under the care of your organization for an extended period of time. When this is the case, long-term pharmaceutical concerns become more relevant. Senior care pharmacy specialists are comfortable with the specialized concerns associated with long-term care.
When considering pharmaceutical services for your facility, remember the needs of your patient population and consult accordingly with experts in senior care. Your residents will be grateful, and you’ll be impressed with the outcome.
