Medications become increasingly important as people age, given the higher likelihood of health problems. Seniors may end up with multiple chronic conditions, which then leads to many medications and complex medication schedules. Taking the proper medication at the right time can be tricky, especially for seniors with poor memory or dementia symptoms. Fortunately, most senior living options provide different levels of medication services. What this looks like depends heavily on the state and the specific senior living environment. In this article, we will explain what different types of medication services are available and how they may vary based on the level of senior care.

Types of medication services in senior living

To look at medication services, we first need to consider what the different terms mean. This is where things get complicated, as there is little consistency between the terms across states. Each state may use varying terminology for the levels of medication services. We’re going to review the common terms for types of medication services here so you can have an understanding of what to expect. If you need medication services at the senior living community you’re interested in moving to or already live in, it’s important that you talk through the options with someone at that facility. 

Medication management

Medication management often refers to the overall system for organizing and managing residents’ medications. It can include the areas discussed next, along with planning, storing, monitoring, reviewing, and organizing medications. Each community will have its own specific processes, some of which are more complex than others.

Medication reminders 

Medication reminders are the simplest type of medication support found in senior living. This type of service could be as simple as verbal reminders telling the resident that it’s time to take their medication or an alarm that plays a reminder when the resident should take medication. 

Because reminders don’t involve direct contact with the medication, they’re generally considered a nonmedical service and can be offered by staff without medical licenses. Senior living communities differ in what type of staff member can provide this reminder. The minimum rule is often set by the state in which the facility is located, so one community may allow certain staff members to provide verbal reminders while another will not.

This type of medication service may be an add-on service, the cost of it not being included in the basic cost of room and board at the community. Be sure to talk with a community representative about any costs that could be associated with medication reminders.

Assistance with self-administration

This type of service supports a resident who administers their own medications. Administering medication can be defined differently from one state to another and usually revolves around the physical act of taking the medication from its container, handling it, and taking it by mouth (if an oral medication). Some residents can take their own medications but benefit from the assistance of a staff member to some degree. Assistance steps can involve:

• Bringing the medication container to the resident.
• Opening the labeled container, removing medication, and placing it in the resident’s hand.
• Applying any topical medication (e.g., cream).
• Placing oral medication in a container and helping the resident lift it to their mouth.
• Observing the resident taking medication.

These are all common examples of what assisting someone who self-administers their medication might include. The state in which your community is located might have slightly different definitions or include other actions that constitute assistance with self-administration.

If you’re interested in having this type of service, you’ll want to talk with someone in the community about the specific procedures as well as the cost of this service.

Medication administration

Medication administration is the highest degree of medication assistance. It can include:

• Any approach that requires judging medication dose, strength, or method of delivery.
• Medication that is provided as needed.
• Medication provided through tubes.
• Administering drops, inhalers, or suppositories.

In the assistance category, staff help residents with their medication, while in administration, staff help with tasks residents can no longer do themselves. 

This level of medication service is most likely to be an add-on cost for which residents pay extra in addition to monthly rent at the community.

Differences between states

The distinctions between medication reminders, assistance, and administration sound logical and straightforward, yet they’re surprisingly complex in practice. 

Not only do states define these terms differently, but the tasks in each category differ as well. For example, medication administration is often as described above but sometimes includes different additional tasks, such as providing medication reminders in Iowa and reading labels aloud to residents in Maine.

There is also variation in training requirements. Staff who administer medication typically need to be medically licensed, while those assisting with self-administration may only need to be trained. However, some states and facilities may require higher levels of training or even medical licensing for medication assistance.

Levels of medication services by care type

Now let’s take a look at how medication services can vary based on the care type you or a loved one lives in.

Independent living

By definition, people in independent living communities don’t need much extra support. However, medication reminders are sometimes available as an optional add-on service a resident may choose to have. 

Assisted living

Assisted living typically provides some degree of medication support. This can be as simple as medication reminders but often includes assistance with self-administration as well. 

Nursing homes

Nursing homes have the staff required to provide full clinical administration, including medications that are provided as needed or where the medication dose is adjusted.

These facilities are also subject to considerable oversight, so medication management systems are likely to be well developed, reducing the risk of errors. 

Memory care

Finally, there’s memory care, which provides tailored support for people with dementia.

Medication management is vital here, as seniors with cognitive decline may not be able to understand their medications or take them effectively as their condition progresses. 

Medication support will often begin with reminders, then transition to assistance and finally to full administration. However, the exact processes will vary depending on the resident’s needs and where the memory care is provided. 

Why medication services matter

Medication assistance can be crucial to ensuring seniors take the right medications at the right times. This is highly significant because:

• Seniors may be taking several different medications each day, which can quickly become confusing.
• Missed doses, doubled doses, or taking incorrect medications can lead to serious health issues.
• Memory issues or dementia symptoms reduce a person’s ability to take medications independently.
• Taking medications correctly and consistently promotes better health and reduces the risk of complications.

Questions to ask a community about medication services

Variations in regulations, procedures, and facility types mean that medication services can differ considerably from one facility to the next. As a result, it’s important to ask questions about the exact processes used. 

Here are some key questions to begin with:

• Who handles medications? How are they trained?
• What is your system for ensuring medication safety?
• How do you prevent medication errors?
• How do you monitor for medication changes and side effects?
• What are the processes in your medication support system? What tasks are residents responsible for? Which ones are staff members responsible for?
• What happens if residents refuse their medications?

It’s also worth discussing your loved one’s specific needs and situation. This allows you to discuss potential challenges early on and find solutions.

Senior care facility rules and requirements vary based on company-specific policies and state-level regulations. The content above represents common guidelines but may differ from a particular facility’s policies or requirements. To learn the regulations that apply in your state, contact your local Oasis Senior Advisor.