Springing Forward to Enhance Residents’ Well-being
As winter loosens its icy grip, spring ushers in warmth and nature’s vibrant colors to create a season of hope, rebirth and renewal.
Inspired by the changing of seasons, it’s a time for care teams to spring into action with renewed passion, energy and shared aspiration to secure the very best outcomes for residents.
This article is the second in a four-part series of quarterly resolutions designed to fill the calendar with intention and spark collaboration across care teams.
From April through June, the focus will include efforts spanning prevention, preparedness, and mental and brain health. Here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead:
April: Movement and Prevention
Every year, 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. This progressive and incurable nervous system disorder causes motor and non-motor symptoms, such as tremors, muscle rigidity and dementia. April spotlights Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, and is a reminder to assess residents for medication side effects that impact movement, swallowing and cognition. Even small adjustments can reduce falls, boost mobility and improve quality of life.
April also marks World Immunization Week, a celebration of preventative care and a call to action. Regularly scheduled vaccines are a cornerstone of health, protecting residents from preventable infectious diseases. Spring planning allows communities and pharmacies to renew their annual focus on coordinating vaccine needs before the busy fall season, reducing last-minute scrambling while safeguarding health.
May: Mental Health and Resilience
Nearly 15% of adults ages 50 and older suffer from some sort of mental health issue, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates. This frequently includes depression, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Seniors often have a higher risk of mental health issues due to chronic illness, pain, social isolation, loss of loved ones, and life-changes in retirement.
Mental Health Awareness Month in May is the perfect time to evaluate residents for signs of anxiety and depression, optimize current therapies, and ensure medications aren’t contributing to adverse drug events. May is also Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, highlighting the importance of fracture prevention. Staff should be educated on the proper administration of osteoporosis medications, which require specific dosing instructions to avoid serious side effects. Care teams should also be trained to recognize the signs of stroke, which is a common contributor to depression in older adults. By protecting a resident’s independence, teams can reduce the risk of depression that often follows physical injury.
But mental health isn’t just about residents – it also extends to care teams. It’s equally important to check in on staff well-being because healthy teams deliver better care.
June: Brain Health and Preparedness
More than 7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s Disease. This progressive and irreversible brain disorder affects memory, cognition and daily life. During Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June, communities can address dementia training, medication adherence and techniques to reduce refusals, guaranteeing residents receive the compassionate care they deserve.
It’s also Aphasia Awareness Month, highlighting a language disorder that affects more than 2 million Americans. Often caused by stroke or brain injury, aphasia impacts communication but not intelligence. In some cases, individuals with aphasia may also experience swallowing difficulties, which can increase the risk of aspiration. For residents in long-term care settings, these challenges can create additional safety concerns. Pharmacist consultations on alternative dosage forms can reduce that risk and improve safety for residents with swallowing difficulties.
Finally, June marks the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, underscoring the importance of disaster preparedness. Community leadership teams can collaborate with their local Guardian pharmacy partner to ensure uninterrupted medication access during emergencies or forced evacuations. Proactive planning safeguards residents’ safety and well-being, no matter what challenges Mother Nature has in store.
By Bethany Bramwell, RPh, BCGP
Senior Director, Marketing
Bethany is a board-certified geriatric pharmacist with over 20 years of experience in senior care pharmacy. She is a passionate advocate for the health and well-being of older adults and dedicated to empowering caregivers to deliver exceptional care. A seasoned writer and public speaker, she has contributed to numerous health-related publications and events. In her role as Senior Director of Marketing for Guardian Pharmacy Services, Bethany creates compelling content to promote awareness of senior care topics and long-term care pharmacy services.
