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Independence and Ease
As medication regimens become more complex with age, PharmAssist at Home provides personalized medication management support to help older adults maintain their independence and give families greater peace of mind.
Managing medication routines can prove difficult for anyone who needs to maintain one, though the task often becomes even more complicated as people age and require more prescriptions to stay healthy.
The complex nature of these regimens is what led Rhonda Angelo to create PharmAssist at Home, a pharmacist-led, in-home service that helps seniors manage their medications with personalized plans.
Angelo is a licensed pharmacist with over 25 years of experience, the majority of which has been specializing in long-term care pharmacy.
“Throughout my career, I recognized a gap in care for older adults who live independently but often face challenges managing their medication regimens. My goal was to create a service that helps people to age safely and confidently in the comfort of their own homes,” says Angelo.
One of the common reasons families begin considering assisted living for an older loved one is the increasing difficulty of managing complex medication regimens. Medication instructions are not always straightforward. Changes in dosing, directions to take medications with or without food, specific dosing times, and the need to separate certain medications can quickly become overwhelming.
When medications are not taken as directed, whether by missing doses, taking too much, or taking them at the wrong time, the consequences can range from reduced effectiveness to serious health complications that require emergency care or hospitalization.
“Medication confusion doesn't just increase the risk of mistakes—it can also create stress and weaken an older adult's confidence in managing their health,” says Angelo.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, about one third of adults in their 60s and 70s regularly take five or more prescription medications. Most often, these medications are used to treat chronic conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis, COPD or heart disease.
“Older adults often see multiple specialists, use different pharmacies, and receive care across several health systems. With so many people involved in their care, it can be challenging to keep everyone on the same page,” Angelo says.
While many people assume their electronic health records automatically communicate with one another, different healthcare systems often use separate record systems. As a result, important medication information may not always be up to date across all providers.
“Part of my service is helping bridge the gap between all of a person's healthcare providers and pharmacies. I like to think of myself as the quarterback of their medication management - keeping people organized, making sure nothing is overlooked, and reducing confusion that can lead to medication mistakes,” says Angelo.
Angelo explains that when PharmAssist at Home begins working with a new client, a licensed pharmacist performs a comprehensive review of all medications, including pills, insulin, inhalers, topical products, injections, and other prescription and over-the-counter medications. Together with the client, the pharmacist develops a personalized medication organization system tailored to the person’s needs, routine, and preferences.
Some of the medication organization systems PharmAssist at Home provides include traditional pill organizers that separate medications according to the prescribed dosing schedule, individualized pill packs that allow clients to simply tear open a packet and take all of the medications scheduled for that dose, and easy-to-use multidose blister cards.
“All medication organization systems are assembled in the client's home using the medications they already have. Nothing is removed from the home. We work with the client's existing retail or mail-order pharmacy to coordinate refills and ongoing medication needs,” says Angelo.
With all services provided entirely in the client’s home, it is unique in this area.
PharmAssist at Home also provides prescription pickup and delivery from the client's existing pharmacy, saving family members and caregivers time by reducing the need for multiple trips each month. The service also helps navigate common pharmacy challenges, including synchronizing medication refills, resolving insurance prior authorization and coverage issues, managing price changes, and ensuring continuity of therapy during medication shortages.
“It gives adult children and caregivers greater peace of mind knowing that Mom or Dad is taking their medications as prescribed. We help monitor medication adherence, so families can feel confident that medications are being taken on schedule and that refills are staying on track,” says Angelo.
PharmAssist at Home offers flexible services tailored to each client's needs. Support may be as brief as a one-time visit after a hospital or rehab stay, or temporary assistance while family members are away, or it can continue on an ongoing basis with regular monthly visits.
“We treat every client with the respect and unhurried attention they deserve. Our goal is to preserve older adults’ safety, independence, and confidence,” Angelo says.
PharmAssist at Home
Serving South Jersey
(856) 437-0410
