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I do not trust that they will do it properly. My mom is in an assisted living facility, her level of care is level two, fine, it includes them giving her her meds, only pills. I am there every morning and I make sure she has taken them. Once a few months ago, she needed to take a liquid medicine three times a day for 10 days, they ran out after seven days, they were not measuring it properly and we could not get refilled.

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That is nice for an assisted living facility to be assisting with meds although I don't think that is the norm. Most places expect the resident to keep up with and take their own meds. Is this an assisted living facility where the level of care increases to that of a nursing home?

Have you discussed the mistake made with the liquid medicine with anyone at the assisted living facility?
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My husband took an antibiotic that was prescribed for 10 days, but that the pharmacy could only fill for 7 days. Of course we ran out. It wasn't because I gave the wrong dosage, it was that only enough for 7 days was given. We were able to get a refill. In fact, the pharmacy automatically ordered the refill of 3 pills for us, having encountered this situation many times.

I wouldn't be so sure that the ALF is at fault. The doctor prescribed something for 10 days that normally is approved for 7 days, and so a refill is needed. The system is crazy, I know, but it isn't necessarily the care center's fault.

If you had been giving the medicine, you probably would have run out also. 7 days worth doesn't cover 10 days. The "could not get it refilled" part was the real problem, and that should have been resolved between the doctor and the pharmacy (and maybe the insurance).

Does the meds service include seeing that the patient actually takes the medicine? (It does where my daughter works.) If the ALF has a medication dispensing service and you are paying for it, I think I would trust it, unless you had hard evidence they are not doing it correctly. I don't think this 7/10 days thing is that evidence.
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Looks like this thread and subject by the same person is being continued on another thread.

https://www.agingcare.com/questions/I-dissagree-with-snswer-176410.htm
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An ALF here in NY carefully records every dose given and witnesses each patient taking the meds. Your state health law may not allow you to administer the meds. Go have a long chat with the Head Nurse.
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This is what the OP stated in the other thread:
"I wrote a question regarding giving my mom her meds myself. There were dosage mistakes made by the facility, documented. They have chairs outside the med station, you can walk by and see pills on the floor, i have seen one resident give her pills to another. It happens a lot. My morher is 95 and does not suffer from dementia but needs assistance with other things. The facility says they have to administer meds. I think its bunk and I will fight it."

pmculliney, I think that if the care center is doing such a very poor job in administering drugs, they ought to be reported. I guess I'd start with the Ombudsman. Could you take pictures of the pills on the floor, or the residents giving their pills to each other?

The staff should surely witness the patient taking the pill.
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