Medication Assistance & Reminders

Medication Reminder: The task by which the PSW is permitted to help a client to remember to take their medication at or near the appropriate time of day by providing verbal instructions. The client must have the ability to follow/respond to verbal cues given by the PSW. Reminders do not include any task of administration or putting the medication into the client’s mouth.

Medication Assistance: The task by which the PSW is permitted to help a client who has physical limitations which prevents the client from independently following their medication management routine. Assistance includes support with opening blister packs, pouring of pills requested by the client, and putting the medication into the client’s hand or guiding the client’s hand towards their mouth. The client must be able to self-direct their medication management routine by giving verbal instructions to the PSW.

CSS Considerations:

  • The doctor’s orders should be obtained and documented on the client’s file in EasyCare.
  • Determine the client’s cognitive and physical limitations and functions.
  • The client must be able to follow verbal instructions/queueing from the PSW.
  • If there are concerns about a medication that a client is receiving, the nurse from ADP or the CSS would reach out to the client/family/caregiver/POA to express their concerns and recommend a follow up.
    • The nurse/CSS may also recommend or arrange for a medication reconciliation to take place when they deem it appropriate with the client/family/POA’s consent.
  • Our staff will not administer any medication that is deemed a high alert/risk such as opioids.
    • In some incidences, the PSW may be able to remind the client to self-administer such medication if in a blister pack.
  • For the community clients, a CSS’s reassessment is required every 6 months. During the reassessment, the client’s current medications would be reviewed, as well as all health information, including allergy updates.

PSW Considerations:

  • If there are any concerns about the integrity of the medication, it will not be given to client on that particular day until the CSS completes the required follow-up.
    • The PSW is required to report this to the office at 416-635-2860 immediately.
  • If the PSW suspects that a client may have incorrectly taken their medications, or that they have overdosed on a medication, the PSW must call 911 and report to the office at 416-635-2860 afterwards when it is safe to do so.
  • The PSW is responsible for reading notes in the client’s care plan before assisting with any medications.
  • The PSW can put medications in the client’s hand or guide the client’s hand to their mouth.
  • Give the client 1 or 2 pills at a time or as per the client’s preference.
    • If the client requests, the PSW can mix medications into any foods, fluids or sauces.
  • Remind the client when it is time for them to take their medications.
    • It is not within a PSW’s scope of practice to provide interpretation, advice, or directions on medication management.
      • If clients have questions about their medications, advise them to connect with their family doctor or pharmacist.
      • Report the client’s concerns to the CSS.
  • Report to the office at 416-635-2860 if:
    • A PSW is unsure of a task.
    • The client’s health status changes.
    • The client is unable to follow the cueing of the PSW to take medications.
    • The medication is finished or missing.
    • The medication is contaminated, discarded or lost.
    • The client refuses to take the medication.
    • The client double doses or misuses medications.
    • The client missed a dose of their medication.

Required Supplies:

  • Prescribed medication
  • Water or preferred drink
  • Preferred food (applesauce)

Video Resource

Please click on the video below for a visual demonstration of the procedure:

References:

European Service At Home. (2022, April 7). PP Assistance with self-administered
medications [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/7yl_YSO49sE