Medication administration by unlicensed caregivers. A model program.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Administration
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Older adults in assisted living often have limitations in daily activities, posing challenges for medication administration.
• Existing care models in Group Senior Assisted Housing (GSAH) did not fully support safe medication management by unlicensed staff.

Purpose of the Study:

• To expand the medication administration capabilities of unlicensed caregivers in Maryland's GSAH.
• To implement a structured training and oversight program for medication management in assisted living settings.

Main Methods:

• A 16-hour medication administration training program was developed and delivered to unlicensed caregivers and GSAH providers.
• A delegating registered nurse (DRN) was introduced to verify caregiver competency, delegate medication tasks (excluding injections), and provide ongoing monitoring.
• Data was collected on training completion rates and caregiver feedback regarding the oversight program.

Main Results:

• The training program achieved an 89% completion rate (N=176).
• A high school education was found to be a significant factor in successful training completion.
• Caregivers reported positive reception to the DRN's oversight, deeming it essential for safe practice.

Conclusions:

• The project successfully demonstrated the feasibility of expanding medication administration roles for trained unlicensed caregivers in assisted living.
• The established oversight model by a DRN is crucial for ensuring safe and effective medication administration.
• This initiative directly contributed to the development of the first statewide regulations for medication administration in assisted living environments.