Presenter:  Elizabeth Woods, RN

The inability to take medications as prescribed can have serious consequences. Improper medication management is the most common reason seniors are forced to move to assisted living. As caregivers you want to make sure that medications are being taken properly, but being available every time medication needs to be administered can be difficult. And what about those caregivers who are caring for someone long-distance? Fortunately, recent pill box technology has evolved and there are many new options available to help with medication management. 

This video provides examples of the many options now available, functionality, cost and will greatly assist you in determining which device is best for you or your loved one. 

Presenter: Carrie Allen, PharmD, CGP

Older adults are highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of psychotropic medications which are commonly used to manage behavior and psychiatric symptoms. This video presented by Carrie Allen, a Certified Geriatric Pharmacist covers:

• What are "psychotropic" medications?
• Why are older adults at a higher risk for side effects?
• What are the primary classes of psychotropic medications?
• Common side effects of anti-psychotics, antidepressants, anti-anxiety, mood stabilizers, sedatives and stimulants.
• What is psychosis?

This is a must watch for anyone caring for an older adult who has been prescribed psychotropic medications. 

Presenter:  Dr. Thomas Weiss

When patients are nearing end stage dementia the question often arises "When is it time to stop dementia medications?" This is a really difficult question for many and unfortunately there is not an easy answer. Geriatric Psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Weiss will walk you through this hard decision and give you guidelines and examples of what you should consider when making this onerous decision. 

Presenter: Maria Wellisch, RN, LNFA

Medications are complex and unfortunately we have all made mistakes when it comes to medications. This short video will give you a clearer undersanding of these 10 medication terms to help you avoid potential medication errors. 

Presenter: Carrie Allen, PharmD, CGP

Certified Pharmacist Carrie Allen believes EVERYONE has a responsibility in preventing medication errors and ensuring the safety of all residents in long term care. High-alert medications are drugs that bear a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error. Although mistakes may or may not be more common with these drugs, the consequences of an error are clearly more devastating to patients.

Get the facts about high alert drugs, how to avoid costly medication errors, and ensure the safety of all patients in your care because of your good practice. 

This is a must watch for anyone working in long term care.

Stem Cell injections offer an untapped potential to manage pain naturally as well as rebuild cartilage and collagen which regenerates damaged tissues, assists with repair processes, and offers alternatives to costly and risky surgeries.

What happens to medications after the expiration date? What are the potential dangers of taking expired meds? How do you know when medications are no longer safe to use? Get the facts about medication expiration dates from Certified Geriatric Pharmacist Carrie Allen. 

Presenter: Carrie Allen, PharmD, CGP

A “med pass” is the common term used to describe the process of dispensing medicine to nursing home patients as ordered. Medication errors in nursing homes and other inpatient medical facilities are recognized as a common problem in the medical field. This webcast covers the skills necessary to conduct a perfect med-pass and ensure the safety of both the resident and the nurse.

• Professionalism
• Hippa
• Technical
• Infection Control
• Med Safety

Learn more about the regulatory agenda to reduce the inappropriate use of anti-psychotics in long term care. Dr. Smith will cover the following:

• Defining inappropraite antipsychotic use
• Brief History of Anti-Psychotic Reduction in LTC
• BPSD Treatment
• Ways to decrease inapprpopriate Anti-Psychotic use in a LTC facility.

Psychoactive or psychotropic medications are any medications that are meant to affect your mind, emotions and/or behavior. Because these drugs can alter a person's behavioral tendencies or urges they can be described as "Chemical Restraints". Many of these medications have significant side effects and long-term consequences. Certified Geriatric Pharmacist Carrie Allen explains what drugs are considered psychotropic drugs, tips for evaluating behaviors, and the importance of limiting the use of these over-prescribed drugs in long-term-care facilities.  

An important part of being a senior caregiver is understanding the many available medications for elderly patients, including over-the-counter (OTC) ones. This can be challenging, as most people take OTC drugs and supplements without a second thought. Other times, we stand before an array of different medicines and are left with questions: Which one is best for headaches? What is the difference among anti-inflammatory medications? What should elders steer clear of? In this second installment of our two-part video series, we answer these questions to help you better manage medications for elderly patients and know the perks and pitfalls of powerful OTC drugs.

An important part of being a senior caregiver is understanding the many available medications for elderly patients, including over-the-counter (OTC) ones. This can be challenging, as most people take OTC drugs and supplements without a second thought. Other times, we stand before an array of different medicines and are left with questions: Which one is best for headaches? What is the difference among anti-inflammatory medications? What should elders steer clear of? In this first installment of our two-part video series, we answer these questions to help you better manage medications for elderly patients and know the perks and pitfalls of powerful OTC drugs.