Medication challenges in the assisted living facility

To review current challenges to the provision of safe and effective pharmaceutical care in assisted living facilities.

Current literature.

The assisted living industry has experienced tremendous growth and offers pharmacists lucrative business opportunities. However, pharmacists must understand the varied nature of both the facilities and the residents. Assisted living residents are entitled to independence and privacy, a fact that presents many challenges in terms of monitoring the safe and accurate administration of medications.

Assisted living facilities provide elderly residents a new and unique blend of independent living and daily support. To provide effective pharmacy services to these facilities, pharmacists must consider their specific needs in terms of medication use processes, packaging, delivery, documentation, and storage.