The ALF my parents live-in keeps contacting me over my mom's medications.
They say they cannot reach the doctor about prescription refills.
So, I contacted the pharmacy that my parents use. I was told by the pharmacy that since my mom's prescriptions are sent out to another pharmacy to be put in blister packs the prescriptions are not their responsibility and that they cannot help me. I called the sendout pharmacy and I was told that a prescription does need to be renewed and they have tried repeatedly to contact my mother's physician with no response at all.
I emailed my mother's doctor and was told she has plenty of refills left and was given the brush off. So what do I do? My parents do not have a dementia diagnosis so why is ALF calling me? This took up most of my day. I have a terrible headache and cannot sleep.
I have an update. My mother's prescription has been filled. Everything okay for now. I spoke with nursing director at ALF and asked that I be notified a bit earlier
when this happens again. (It will happen again). I think Kaiser is a great option for people who can advocate for themselves but not for people who can no longer do so. I reminded the voice I was talking to at the other end that my parents chose them (Kaiser) to be their Medicare provider and they will follow thru on their end of the bargain.
Good old Kaiser -- they billed me for a test my dad supposedly had a week after he died. I got my mom off that insurance faster than you could say "incompetent." Worst insurance company ever if you have any medical issues whatsoever.
Just wondering if the problem is that the Drs office is faxing Moms prescriptions to her pharmacy instead of the pharmacy the AL uses. All communication was between my Dr and the Nurse at the AL. Maybe you should call the office and ask for the person responsible for getting the doctor to write the prescription and fax it. Maybe their information is not up to date. Maybe there is no HIPPA form signed so AL Nurse can communicate with the doctor. I do think its rude that someone from the Dr office at least does not call and explain why they are not responding.
You need to find out the procedure at the AL. Does the nurse request a prescription for refills? Does she ask that the prescription be faxed to her so that she can send it onto the ALs pharmacy. Or does the Nurse allow the prescription to go directly to the AL pharmacy. Check to make sure faxes and phone #s are correct. When u know the procedure then call the Drs office and talk to whoever handles the prescription after the Dr writes it. Act stupid. "I am new to all this. I received a call from the AL my parents are in and they say they have been unable to get refills. Could you please check and see if a refill for _____ was requested on ____." If they say yes and presciption was faxed back. Then you confirm the fax number used and the contact. Also ask if they have a fax copy with the time and date stamped on the top with "OK" meaning it went thru.
If they say no they received nothing. Ask what their fax number is and contact. Then you call the AL asking the same questions. First is the fax# correct. Does their copy show the date and the fax was sent and an OK which means it was received.
Yes, its an investigation. You have to find out where the glitch is. If doctors office, you will need to prove to the doctor someone in his/her office is dropping the ball. Everyone will say its the others fault until u prove otherwise. I will bet someone has incorrect info or not doing their job.
My parents prescription medications are not allowed to be their rooms. All pills, tablets and capsules are in blister packs and kept under lock and key. I was contacted by the ALF because they have tried and tried and tried to get a prescription for my mother
filled. My parents healthcare providers just don't respond. So I had to step-in and help. The local Kaiser pharmacy said the prescription was not their responsibility to fill because assisted living sends out the medications to a different pharmacy to have them put in blister packs. In fact they couldn't see the prescription in their computer system, yet I could see it in her online account.. The prescription was written by a Kaiser physician. I contacted the send out pharmacy that is located in another county and asked what is the problem. The problem is my mother's healthcare team not responding to their calls and faxes. So I contacted my mother's physician and told her the problem via email and her response to me was basically you don't know what your talking about. So sent another email with documentation and photo with all the people they need to contact to help them help my mother. I left it the doctors lap. I know my parents do not have an official diagnosis of dementia but they sure are going down hill fast. This will be discussed with my sibling this weekend. I am going to talk to a patient rep at Kaiser and with the director at ALF about a more timely response because I have to jump in at the last moment. What I think is happening is that the ALF is trying to get help by asking my father to step in and he does not because he doesn't understand what the issue is or he just doesn't remember. Phew! I'm going for walk. Peace out.
The ALF is responsible. They need not to involve Dad or LET HIM be involved. Good luck Vel!
Are you the MPoA for either of your parents? Is anyone if it is not you?
What state do they reside in (since protocols may differ by state)?
Dementia shows up gradually -- it's not obvious at first. If you are also NOT the Medical Representative for either parent (a HIPAA form they fill out and sign naming you as their MR) then their doctor by law cannot divulge any medical info to you about them.
"I was told that a prescription does need to be renewed and they have tried repeatedly to contact my mother's physician with no response at all."
Who told you this... the ALF or your parents? Who is "they"? If you are getting info from your parents and they have the beginnings of memory and cognitive impairment then they may not be giving you accurate information.
More info from you would be helpful.
response from my mother's healthcare team.
My brother was on level #1 meaning no medication nurse contacted him re his meds and his meds were kept in his room and self-administered. He was also responsible for contacting his doctor, visiting his doctor, filling his prescriptions at the pharmacy via the bus trips to the mall, and etc.
His ex partner was, on the other hand, in another cottage and on a higher and more costly level of care, given his medications by the medication nurse, saw the doctor affilitated with the facility, had his medications refilled, delivered and handled by the MD and the facility ONLY. And as you said packaged in blister packs. All of these responsiblities, rather WHO was responsible, were well deliniated in the care plan and care contract. Pretty much everything there was, including whether or not night checks were done entering a closed door.
I am assuming you have met with the manager and gone over care plan. I am hoping none of these medications that seem to be running out when there ARE according to MD plenty of refills, are pain or anxiety meds that might be abused?
I sure do know what it is to have a day eaten up. For me it was Spectrum Phone company that took out my brother's phone instead of an elder's phone in the same cottage, and it took me from 9:30 to 4:30 on the phone with every state in the union and not a few countries to get it all delivered back and set up. And I was across the state from him.
You sure do have my sympathy and I sure wish you luck getting this addressed.