PharmaCombating the Healthcare Crisis with Long Term Care Pharmacy at Home

By Lindsay Dymowski, President — Centennial Pharmacy Services

As the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age, the culture is bracing for what some call “Peak 65.” This demographic shift, which will involve more than 4 million people turning 65 each year between 2024 and 2027, is expected to trigger troubling disruptions across society, causing everything from labor shortages to reduced consumer spending.

The changes brought about by Peak 65 are already causing a crisis in the healthcare field. The number of people requiring long-term care already greatly outnumbers the beds available in long-term care facilities. According to a report by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living in 2024, 46 percent of nursing home facilities are limiting new admissions, with 57 percent having waiting lists for new residents. This shortage leaves many individuals needing skilled care in the community without adequate resources to manage their health effectively.

To make matters worse, the baby boomer generation is the most chronically ill in history, with high rates of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory disorders. For those struggling with health issues, managing medications is often the tipping point that makes long-term care necessary.

Long-term care pharmacy at home offers a critical solution to fill the growing gap between healthcare needs and available resources. It addresses the challenges currently facing our healthcare system, particularly around the aging population and its complex needs.

An accessible, in-home solution

Polypharmacy is the practice of regularly taking multiple medications at the same time, and it is common in older adults and those with chronic conditions. Some experts refer to it as a “hidden epidemic” for today’s seniors. When not properly managed, polypharmacy can result in serious health complications requiring skilled intervention.

For many aging individuals or those who care for them, remembering doses, understanding complex medication regimens, or recognizing dangerous side effects can quickly become an overwhelming task. It is also extremely dangerous. When errors occur, they can lead to adverse drug reactions, hospitalizations, and other complications that make facility-based care the only viable option.

Long-term care pharmacy at home helps those facing these challenges by providing an accessible, in-home solution for managing complex medication needs. It keeps medication management at the forefront of care, not only addressing the immediate needs of an aging population but also offering a scalable solution to the growing healthcare crisis. Long-term care pharmacy at home enables seniors to age safely in place, prevents unnecessary and costly admissions to care facilities, and helps bridge the care gap that only promises to grow as Peak 65 continues.

A comprehensive model for long-term care at home

Meeting the complex needs of aging patients in their homes requires a comprehensive model that delivers safety, convenience, and high-quality care. Long-term care pharmacy at home brings together several components to satisfy those needs, including:

• Medication management and adherence: To support patients as they pursue safe and consistent medication use, long-term care pharmacy at home covers adherence packaging, regular medication reviews, management of side effects, refill scheduling, prior authorizations, and detailed drug utilization reviews.
• Clinical and preventative services: Personalized services, like medication therapy management, point-of-care testing, and preventive health reviews, prevent complications by proactively managing medications for chronic conditions.
• Personalized delivery and education: Professional guidance provided during in-home delivery and individualized education empowers patients and caregivers.
• Care coordination: Pharmacists work closely with healthcare providers, caregivers, and family members to create a strong, integrated support network to meet the multifaceted needs of aging patients.
• Access to IV and compounded medications: Long-term care at home pharmacies enables comprehensive at-home care by offering enhanced services, including supplying and coordinating specialized treatments like IV and compounded medications.
• Support for Social Determinants of Health: Long-term care pharmacy at home addresses barriers caused by transportation, finances, and health literacy to help patients access resources and maintain care.

A prescription for a healthier healthcare system

As the needs of patients have become more complex, the shortcomings of today’s healthcare system have become more evident. Long-term care pharmacy at home is uniquely equipped to provide the resources needed to overcome those shortcomings by addressing gaps in healthcare access, reducing strain on facilities, and preparing for the anticipated surge in long-term care needs as the baby boomer generation ages.

As capacity issues at traditional facilities force more patients to seek treatment at home, long-term care pharmacy at home enables that treatment to be effective. It ensures that even those with complex medication regimens and functional limitations maintain continuity of care, supporting both health and independence.

Long-term care pharmacy at home also reduces hospital readmissions and emergency room visits. It facilitates regular check-ins, structured medication management, and proactive monitoring for side effects, all of which help patients avoid adverse medication reactions or missed doses that can trigger the need for emergency care.

To avert the care crisis threatening today’s patients, healthcare professionals must identify and implement immediate, scalable solutions. Long-term care pharmacy at home fits the bill, providing methods for supporting individuals who would otherwise face limited options for maintaining health and independence. It’s an innovative approach that values the older generations and opens doors for effective care.

– Lindsay Dymowski is co-founder and President of Centennial Pharmacy Services, a leading long-term care-at-home pharmacy, and co-founder and president of the Long Term Care at Home Pharmacy Quality Commission. Combining her over 15 years of pharmacy experience with her entrepreneurial spirit, Lindsay knows exactly what drives successful pharmacies, launches collaborative provider programs, and supports better health outcomes — and it’s not dispensing medications. It’s how well you can provide patient-centric pharmacy care. Passionate about the business of pharmacy and its future in healthcare, Lindsay has presented at national conferences, been featured in various outlets, designed continuing education curriculum, and currently sits on several boards committed to the advancement of the practice of pharmacy.