Should seniors caught selling their prescription drugs to others be treated the same way as any other person who is selling drugs?
The illicit prescription market has thrived in America because the existing systems are inefficient (Eaton, 2017). I believe that seniors engaging in this malpractice should be treated the same way as other people selling drugs. The reason for this argument is that such individuals understand the dangerous implications of misbehavior. When they are victimized and prosecuted, the chances are high that the problem will be addressed quickly.
What should home care professionals do if they are faced with residents selling their prescription drugs?
I have encountered several cases of residents in nursing care homes selling prescription medicines to their colleagues. In most such occurrences, I have encouraged my patients to stop the malpractice because it can affect their health outcomes. I have also designed effective teaching programs to empower, inform, and educate the affected seniors about the dangers of the behavior. Appropriate systems for labeling, prescribing, and checking drugs possessed by different individuals have been introduced. Personally, I think that home care professionals facing similar challenges should develop new models for prescribing and administering drugs (Eaton, 2017). This means that medicines should be available to patients when demanded. Training programs can also be considered to inform more individuals about the dangers of selling prescription drugs.
Is there any way the senior’s doctor can prevent them from selling their prescribed medication?
Physicians providing services to senior citizens can use different skills to prevent them from selling their prescribing drugs (Eaton, 2017). As indicated earlier, new strategies should be developed to ensure that required medicines are provided every day. They should collaborate with caregivers and nurses, and care providers to achieve this objective. Seniors should also be monitored frequently. These initiatives will ensure that quality support and appropriate medications are available to different senior citizens. Consequently, more facilities will be able to address this predicament.
References
Eaton, J. (2017). The new opioid dealers. AARP Bulletin. Web.