Assisted Living

We currently provide services to two assisted living homes in the Burnaby/New Westminster area in accordance with the Fraser Health clinical practice guidelines for pharmacies. As an independent pharmacy, we offer more personalized care and take more time with each patient than other larger chain drug stores. We provide services that elderly patients, and the families that care for them, appreciate very much.

Our Pharmacy provides current medication compliance records and MARs for care-aid nurses, residents, and physicians. We also communicate with the nursing staff, residents, and physicians concerning questions about medication management in all areas of patient care. Our pharmacy manager attends ‘Quarterly Reviews’ with the care coordinator, nursing staff, and Fraser Health Assisted Living nurse on a bi-weekly basis to discuss ongoing health-related matters of the residents. The pharmacist acts as a liaison between the nursing staff, the residents, and the physicians regarding medication management and patient care. The pharmacy provides the required medication administration records and current medication lists for nursing staff, residents, and physicians.

Our pharmacist holds quarterly reviews with Assisted Livings Residences, where we review any issues the resident has with respect to their care. We monitor changes in blood pressure, blood glucose levels and other lab results and review trends over time. We then contact the physician with recommendations or referrals as needed. Being present at these quarterly reviews is essential to the care of the resident where the pharmacist can address medication-related problems and resolve issues before they become serious and require hospitalization. The pharmacy also performs medication reconciliation services after hospital visits or changes from physician orders. We contact the resident when the doctor requires to see them for tests or necessary lab work. Our Pharmacist visits residents on site and performs a thorough one-on-one medication review, including all prescription and non-prescription medications with the resident.

Our Pharmacy has developed a "Pharmacy Policy and Procedure Manual" which is used specifically to each assisted living residence that we care for. We set up charge accounts for all clients that can be paid monthly. This helps for those who are on fixed incomes and need to manage their expenses closely. We special order a large number of supplies that residents need and deliver free of charge to help provide them what they need. Our pharmacy has the latest software and technology and can provide Electronic Medical Records if required.

Our goal is to ensure that the medication management of the residents is accomplished to promote the safety and independence of the residents in accordance with the mandate set out in the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and the Guiding Principles of the Assisted Living Registry of BC, and Fraser Health Clinical Services Guidelines.

Our Pharmacy manager meets bi-annually with the care coordinator and nursing staff on the “Medication Safety Advisory Committee.” The pharmacy manager also helps train staff in the assisted living homes with the policy and procedures of medication administration within the home. These meetings are held in accordance with the Fraser Health Authority Assisted Living Act.

Assisted Living

Continuity of Care with Communication

Personalized Health Monitoring

Care Management Tools and Procedures