Senior Care Pharmacists

Pharmacies must be clean, orderly, well lighted, and well ventilated. They are frequently busy places and this is especially true for those serving a large number of geriatric patients, since older people often take more than one medication at a time. In addition to working in a pharmacy, senior care pharmacists also visit their patients and consult with other members of the patient's health care team. This means there is often travel involved in the senior care pharmacist's work. Additionally, because these pharmacists are in contact with such a variety of people, from elderly people in pain to concerned family members to other health care professionals, they may often need to be diplomatic when advising on why and how medications should be taken.

The two most unfavorable conditions of the pharmacist's practice are the long hours and the necessity to stay on one's feet. Most state laws covering the practice of pharmacy require that there be a pharmacist on duty at all times when a pharmacy is open. This may mean long shifts as, for example, hospital pharmacies are continuously open. Despite these factors, most senior care pharmacists appreciate being involved in health care where they can use their medical and scientific knowledge to help older patients feel better.

Those who run their own businesses have management and financial responsibilities. They must hire employees, keep records on patients, and keep track of costs. They must make rent or mortgage payments and pay insurance premiums and taxes.