Private Duty Caregivers and Medications
It is becoming increasingly common for residents and their families to hire privately paid caregivers to provide additional companionship and services to residents living in an RCFE. This type of arrangement raises many questions, including this one that we received from a Tuesday Tip subscriber:
“Can a resident’s hired private caregiver or companion, who is not an employee of the RCFE, assist or administer medications?”
This question is addressed in the Community Care Licensing RCFE Evaluator Manual which states:
“[Privately paid personal assistants] can also assist with self-administration of medication, but only if the resident’s physician documents that the resident can store and administer his/her own medications. A privately paid personal assistant cannot assist the resident with care relating to any of the incidental medical services described in Regulation Sections 87605 through 87631.”
Physician documentation regarding the resident’s ability to self-administer can be found on the Physician’s Report (LIC602A). Keep in mind, while CCL may allow the private duty caregiver to assist the resident, if you feel it is unsafe or inappropriate based on the needs of the resident and circumstances in your Community, it may be best to have the assistance provided by your caregivers or med aides.
Clarify please;
If the MD “ticks” able to self administer on the LIC 602 or 602A a resioendt may self administer. If staff/facility recognizes a safety issue one would notify the physician to evaluate and update status. Is there a specific 87___ # (87465) is not specific about this issue.
Also, what if residents are living with a spouse who is capable to self administer and is administering the other spouse meds (either by setting up a pill set) or daily giving them their medications. Please direct to a LIC #. Thank you for helping us be compliant.
Hello Jackie… in regulation 87465 it states:
“Medications shall be centrally stored under the following circumstances…Because of potential dangers related to the medication itself, or due to physical arrangements in the facility and the condition or the habits of other persons in the facility, the medications are determined by either a physician, the administrator, or Department to be a safety hazard to others.”