"There are just too many pills to take—in the morning, at lunch, in the evening, and before bed—for the patient to manage on their own."
"I've been forgetting to take my medication or taking double doses more often, and I'm worried that my chronic condition might get worse..."
As people age, it is common for them to have multiple chronic conditions, and it is not uncommon for them to take five or even ten different medications a day—a condition known as “polypharmacy.”
When considering long-term care services or facilities, people tend to focus on meals and room amenities, but what actually has a direct impact on residents’ lives and daily health is “how the facility manages their medications (medication management).”
In this article, we’ll explain the key points to check regarding “medication management” when selecting a facility for parents who take multiple medications for chronic conditions, as well as what to look for to avoid making mistakes.
1. Why are problems so common with “medication management” for the elderly?
While administering medication can be challenging even when providing care at home, it is also more likely to cause problems or changes in a person’s physical condition when using facilities or short-stay services for the following reasons.
- There are many medications, and the times I need to take them vary: When the timing is complicated—such as “before meals,” “after meals,” “between meals,” or “before bed”—it’s easy to make mistakes.
- My memory of whether I drank or not becomes hazy: Due to cognitive decline, patients may claim they “haven’t taken it yet” and end up taking the medication twice, or they may secretly spit it out.
- Prescriptions are issued by multiple hospitals: Patients receive prescriptions from different hospitals—such as orthopedics, internal medicine, and ophthalmology—which makes it difficult to keep track of drug interactions and side effects.
When placing a loved one in a care facility, it’s easy to think, “I’ll feel at ease if I leave it to the professionals,” but the sense of security can vary greatly depending on each facility’s management system and how well the staff works together.
2. Three Key Points to Consider Regarding “Medication Management” When Choosing a Facility
When you visit a facility or consult with a care manager, be sure to check how the following three points are being implemented.
① Does it support “single-dose packaging” and “calendar-based medication management”?
The key to preventing medication errors is “single-dose packaging,” which involves placing all the medications to be taken at one time into a single packet.
Depending on the facility, some have adopted a system where community pharmacies deliver pre-packaged bags labeled with “Morning, Date, and Name,” and staff perform a double-check using wall-mounted medication calendars or pill dispensers. Let’s take a look at the various medication error prevention systems available.
② What are the “rules for collaboration” between nurses and care staff?
Under the law, not only doctors and nurses but also care staff—provided they meet certain conditions—are permitted to administer eye drops and assist with the administration of pre-packaged oral medications (as indicated in a notification from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare [Heisei 17], these actions are not considered medical acts).
The important thing is,What reporting and documentation procedures are in place for situations such as “when a patient refuses to drink” or “when a patient accidentally spits it out”?That's right. The key point is whether there is a "system in place to ensure that unused portions aren't simply left to go to waste."
③ Are you able to observe changes in your physical condition resulting from the medication's effects or "side effects"?
When you start taking a new medication, you may experience changes such as “sudden dizziness,” “increased daytime sleepiness,” or “frequent constipation.”
It's not just about giving them medicine, but also...Is there a system in place to observe the patient’s condition after taking medication—including its effects and side effects—and provide feedback to doctors and pharmacists?is very important.
3. A "List of Specific Questions" to Ask During a Tour
When touring the facility, please feel free to ask the following questions.
| Survey Questions | Purpose of the Check |
|---|---|
| "When you're not feeling well (e.g., when you have no appetite), how do you decide whether to take your medication?" | Confirm the system for contacting nurses and ensure that procedures are not skipped based on personal judgment. |
| "Can the facility handle picking up and managing my prescription medications for me?" | Check to see if the burden on your family from monthly doctor visits and picking up prescriptions will be reduced |
| "If I start having trouble swallowing, can I talk to my doctor about it?" | Confirming the effectiveness of the simple suspension method (dissolving the medication and drinking it) and the ability to flexibly adapt to changes in dosage form |
"Medication Support That Bridges Healthcare and Welfare" by the Taiseikai and Kunikai Group
If you have multiple chronic conditions and are concerned about managing your medications, we especially want you to know about the medical care provided by our Daiseikai and Kunikai Group.
For the welfare services operated by the Kuni Association (such as residential care, short-term stays, and day services),We manage medication administration in collaboration with “Uchida Hospital” and the home-visit nursing station, both of which are part of the same group.
- Information Sharing Between Doctors, Nurses, and Frontline Staff: We’ll share observations from the field of social welfare—such as “They seem to be having a little trouble swallowing lately” or “They’ve been acting differently during the day since their medication changed”—with the doctors and nurses at Uchida Hospital.
- We also offer consultations on reviewing multiple medications (reducing the number of medications): When the large number of medications a patient is taking is placing a strain on their body, we can monitor their condition from both medical and welfare perspectives and work toward optimizing their prescription (safe reduction or adjustment) under a doctor’s guidance.
"Managing medications is complicated, and I'm worried about both caring for them at home and relying on a facility..."
If you’re facing such concerns, please consider relying on a system that provides comprehensive support—not only for daily living but also for medication and medical safety.
＼ Please feel free to contact us if you have any problems ／.
Medical Corporation Daiseikai, Uchida Hospital, Community Healthcare Coordination Office
(TEL) 0278-24-5329
Uchida Home Care Support Office
(TEL) 0278-23-7535
▶ Click here for the Daiseikai Group Uchida Hospital Outpatient Schedule
