Many of your patients likely need assistance from a caregiver, or are caregivers themselves. Caregivers are often family members or friends who don’t have any previous health care training, but who are responsible for a loved one’s care.
For caregivers, simply managing their patients’ medications can be daunting. They have to keep track of refills, daily regimens and dietary restrictions, to name just a few tasks. This can get overwhelming. But as a pharmacist, you can serve as an ally to caregivers by making it easier to manage the care and needs of their loved one.
When caregivers feel comfortable talking with your pharmacists, it sets up your pharmacy as a knowledgeable—and caring—resource. Plus, it provides a better overall experience for the patient and the caregiver, which is good for business.
Check out these tips to improve patient care by focusing on the pharmacist-caregiver relationship.
1. Establish communication
After receiving a patient’s permission, talk to his or her caregiver about all of the medications the patient is taking. (It’s a violation of HIPAA to talk with a patient’s caregiver without obtaining the patient’s permission to do so. Requesting permission also creates trust and builds communication between you, the caregiver and the patient.) Creating a dialogue will help the caregiver understand the requirements of each medication and what each medication is for. It’s also a good idea at this point to set the patient up on a synchronization program, if you offer one.
2. Monitor costs
Keep caregivers updated about any cost-saving opportunities that patients are eligible to receive. This could include information about Medicare Part D programs, or advice about switching to a generic version of a prescription medication. The patient and caregiver will appreciate your efforts to help keep their medications affordable.
3. Reconcile medication
When a patient is transitioning from a hospital, or other care facility, to home, keeping medications in order can be challenging. But, by combining your knowledge and a caregiver’s proximity, you can make the transition successful. Also, caregivers usually spend more time with a patient than you do, so they can help monitor the patient for any complications or reactions to medication.
4. Compile a medication list
Help caregivers by working with them to compile a medication list of all of the prescription and over-the-counter products the patient is taking. An up-to-date list is important to keep handy for doctors’ appointments or in case of an emergency. The caregiver will appreciate your assistance.
5. Help with organizing medications
Consider recommending that caregivers organize the patient’s medication in pill sorters. Arranging medication helps caregivers ensure that patients adhere to their treatment schedule. You can also help by recommending the best type of pill sorter based on the patient’s drug regimen. Point them to your front end, so they can purchase these products.
6. Provide advice on adherence programs
Help caregivers and patients by providing tips on how to improve a patient’s adherence, such as setting alarms with reminders about medication or making a daily schedule with dosing times and instructions. Caregivers can alert you about problems the patient has with their medication. They can also keep a log to track adherence, which will help you monitor the patient’s treatment.
7. Be a resource
You can answer questions about medications, address concerns the patient might have, and help prepare the caregiver to ask the right questions of other health care providers. A good relationship with you can give caregivers a reference person when they have questions about why a medication was stopped, what supplements and vitamins the patient should takes and what potential reactions or side effects they should watch for. The more they come to you for advice, the more they’ll see your pharmacy as a one-stop-shop for everything they’ll need to take care of the patient.
