Early in my mom’s tenure in assisted living, I noticed her monthly bill had a significant expense labeled as “medication management.” As someone who rarely takes any medication, I realized I needed to understand the process better. I’ll be dedicating several posts in near future to this topic, as I believe family involvement in medication management is critical.
Medication is a Major Issue
According to a 2006 study by the three leading non-profits — ACHA, NCAL and the MEFC, medication is often a major component of an older person’s life, making it a major issue for assisted living facilities. The role of medication and medication assistance (called “medication management” by assisted living administrators) is surprising:
- 77.5% of residents needed assistance with medications
- Residents were taking an average of 13 medications
In an assisted living setting, residents rely heavily on staff to assist with the timely and correct delivery of medication. But in the United States alone, nearly two million Americans experience adverse drug reactions from prescription medication each year.
What can you do to protect your loved one? A better understanding of medication management can help.
