Guardian Pharmacy of Atlanta recently spoke at an education seminar on the topics of medication safety and important immunizations for older adults. The seminar, entitled “Be the Difference,” was sponsored by LeadingAge Georgia.
LeadingAge Georgia is a nonprofit association representing over 150 key providers in organizations dedicated to providing services that people need, when they need them, in the places they call home. Their mission is to represent and promote common interests of its members through leadership, advocacy, education and other services in order to enhance each member’s ability to serve older adults.
Guardian Atlanta spoke to attendees about medication safety in regards to compliance, consistency, and drug storage and disposal. We discussed compliance with rules and standards of practice and discussed how consistency is the cornerstone of medication safety. Medication safety starts with the pharmacy and pharmacist because they can review, intercede and package medications that improve safety for the patient. Proper storage and disposal of medications is also important, as this makes medications safer for all who use them.
We also discussed the most important immunizations for older adults, the age requirements for these vaccines and their effectiveness. For aging adults the annual flu vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccines, Pneumovax and Prevnar and Zostavax – the shingles vaccine – are crucial.
Guardian Atlanta was honored to speak at the LeadingAge Georgia seminar. We are experts on these topics and were glad to have the opportunity to share our knowledge. If you would like to know more about medication safety, immunizations for older adults or have any other questions about our long-term care pharmacy, please contact our consultant pharmacist, Lori Newcomb, at 404-309-4958.