A senior care pharmacist specializes in geriatric medications, and his or her responsibilities are limited to people over the age of 65. A senior care pharmacist’s most basic responsibility is to fill prescriptions for chronic illnesses, but he or she usually works closely with the patient to ensure that the medications prescribed are safe, effective, and affordable. Advice on a patient’s lifestyle may also be given to help prevent disease and make it easier to remember to take prescribed medications. Pharmacists who specialize in senior care collaborate with other health-care professionals and may make home visits to patients.
Prescriptions are a pharmacist’s first responsibility, and a senior care pharmacist’s first responsibility is to fill them. The only difference is that a senior care pharmacist will dispense medications to people over 65 and will check on any other medications they may be taking. Because the senior care pharmacist must be aware of all medications being taken as well as any side effects the patient may be experiencing, the relationship with the patient is often closer than that of a regular pharmacist.
A pharmacist who primarily works with people aged 65 and up checks for potential interactions between the medications that a patient is taking to ensure that the medications are safe and effective. It’s also possible for a pharmacist to advocate with a patient’s doctor for prescription changes. Patients are also checked on a regular basis to ensure that any prescriptions they are taking are still effective.
Affordability is a less visible aspect of a senior care pharmacist’s responsibilities, but it is still included in the services provided. If and when more affordable alternatives become available, a senior care pharmacist may inform and work with the patient to ensure that the prescriptions required are both affordable and effective.
Pharmacists who specialize in senior care may assess a patient’s lifestyle and health habits and offer disease prevention advice. This means that the pharmacist not only observes but also actively assesses the patient’s health in order to provide advice and assistance. A pharmacist who specializes in senior care may also recommend lifestyle changes if necessary.
For older patients, forgetting to take medications can be a problem, and senior care pharmacists work with them to make it easier for them to do so. Medications are easier to identify when they are packaged and labeled clearly, which may include the use of larger, easier-to-read labels. Other methods of medication organization, such as the use of specialized pill containers, may be suggested the pharmacist.
Pharmacists who specialize in senior care frequently visit hospitals and care facilities to collaborate with other health care professionals. Patients who are cared for a relative or live-in caregiver may also be visited at home. Regular visits, usually once a month, are scheduled to ensure that any changes in the patient’s condition can be treated quickly.