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Communities Celebrate National Assisted Living Week<p>Held annually since 1995 and kicking off on Grandparents Day, National Assisted Living Week (NALW) was recognized during the week of Sept. 13-19 this year.<br></p><p>This annual observance, sponsored by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), provides a unique opportunity for residents, their loved ones, staff, and volunteers to recognize the role of assisted living in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.<br></p><p>During NALW, assisted living communities around the country are encouraged to host events and activities to celebrate the residents they serve.<br></p><h2>Caring is Essential</h2><p>Along with their sister nursing homes, assisted Living communities have been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis. Despite the devastating stories of loss and social isolation many residents have experienced due to COVID-19, there are also many heartwarming stories about the dedication and compassion of staff members devoted to protecting the residents in their care. &#160;<br></p><p><img src="/Monthly-Issue/2020/November/PublishingImages/1120NALW_BerthaBunny.jpg" alt="Betty Bunny" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;255px;height&#58;255px;" />To acknowledge this commitment, NCAL announced in June that this year’s theme for NALW would be Caring is Essential. Perhaps more relevant now than in any year before, this theme highlights the role of essential caregivers in assisted living—the certified nurse assistants, nurses, food service workers, volunteers, and others—for their unwavering commitment and hard work.<br></p><h2>Honoring Residents</h2><p>While not all senior living facilities were able to celebrate the week, many communities adapted activities and found new and creative ways to honor both staff and residents during NALW. <br></p><p>Through social media posts, pictures, and videos, they shared their NALW stories. Many events were imaginative and fun, such as facemask fashion shows, tattoo and dress-up activities, fall farmer’s markets and pie-throwing contests, window visits from dairy cows to owls, and ice cream truck deliveries.<br></p><p>Other events focused on community connections such as adopt-a-grandparent programs and special messages, posters, and videos from local school children.<br></p><h2>Ingenuity Reigns</h2><p>In previous years, residents of Somerby Franklin Senior Living, Franklin, Tenn., were invited to the Moore Elementary School for a performance. As this was not possible due to COVID, teacher Amber Anderson encouraged her second-graders to create messages of love on posters to “add cheer into the residents’ hallways, rooms, and hearts.”<br></p><p>Connections were also made via community caravans and window visits, in some cases through specially constructed transparent visiting booths. One family even brought a forklift to raise family members to the residents’ windows on the second floor.<br></p><p>Perhaps the most amazing of all were the innovative “hugging devices” constructed in several facilities. These specially designed plastic curtains enabled residents to safely receive a warm embrace from their loved ones.<br></p><h2>Recognizing Staff</h2><p>Honoring assisted living staff members also took many forms during NALW, from pizza parties and cook-outs to dress-up days, dance contests, and games. The week also offered an opportunity for residents to express their appreciation for staff members through notes, cards, and videos with heartfelt messages of gratitude.<br></p><p>At Chandler Park Assisted Living, caregivers received a special video from residents thanking them for their work and proclaiming staff members “a blessing” and “an essential part of their lives.” Similar messages of thanks for essential caregivers came from administrators, local leaders, and government officials.<br></p><p>In many communities, staff members were presented with special goody bags, fun treats, prizes, t-shirts, and other tokens of appreciation.<br></p><h2>Honoring Those Lost to COVID<span><span><img src="/Monthly-Issue/2020/November/PublishingImages/1120NALW_JulieScott.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-2" alt="Julie Scott, Omni West" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;350px;height&#58;350px;" /></span></span></h2><p>NALW also provided an opportunity to honor the memory of those loved and lost to COVID. A display of 2,428 pinwheels, set up in a Youngstown, Ohio, meadow, was created by staff members at Omni West Assisted Living in memory of assisted living and nursing home residents who have died from the coronavirus in Ohio. <span></span></p><p>“I wanted to honor their memory in a way that would be touching; each pinwheel represents someone’s life,” Omni West Activity Director Julie Scott says.<br></p><p>At Maple Pointe in Rockville Centre, N.Y., a special Rock Garden was created to honor community members lost to COVID. New York Assemblywoman Judy Griffin attended the unveiling of the garden and expressed her gratitude for the “compassionate, diligent, and dedicated staff who worked tirelessly during these challenging times to ensure the safety and well-being of residents,” noting that the new garden was a “beautiful way to honor each resident’s legacy and truly seemed to comfort the community in attendance.” <br></p><h2>Spirit Endures</h2><p>The week was recognized in many wonderful and deeply moving ways with the primary focus of honoring the commitment and dedication of caregiving staff and celebrating the lives of residents in their care.<br></p><p>Despite having opened its door five months into a pandemic, NALW activities at Evergreen Village in Fort Wayne, Ind., went full speed ahead. After a week of celebration,&#160; Administrator Amanda Palace noted that “…it takes a village to do just about anything these days, and the village being built here on a foundation of love, compassion, and dignity was solidified last week, and the happiness and positivity was palpable to all who helped us make it a success.” <br></p><p>To learn more or view the many ways that NALW was recognized this year, please visit #NALW, Facebook.com/#NALW, and <a href="http&#58;//nalw.org/" target="_blank">NALW.org</a>. <br><br><em>Lisa Hohenemser is marketing manager with the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living. She can be reached at <a href="mailto&#58;lhohenemser@ahca.org" target="_blank">lhohenemser@ahca.org.​</a></em></p>2020-11-01T04:00:00Z<img alt="" src="/Monthly-Issue/2020/November/PublishingImages/1120NALW_MooreElem.jpg" style="BORDER&#58;0px solid;" />Quality;CaregivingLisa HohenemserAcross the country, residents and staff honor each other and also have some good times.
NIC Says Senior Housing Occupancy Experiences Largest Decline on Record<p>New data from NIC MAP®&#160;Data Service (NIC MAP) provided by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing &amp; Care (NIC) show that senior housing occupancy declined 2.6 percentage points in the third quarter of 2020, from 84.7 percent to 82.1 percent.</p><p>NIC said the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on occupancy is profound, and the latest numbers mark the second quarter in a row where occupancy fell more than 2.5 percentage points, meaning the senior housing sector is now experiencing its largest drop in occupancy on record.</p><p>Assisted living and independent living facilities experienced their largest occupancy drop to date, falling 2.9 percentage points to 79.1 percent and 2.4 percentage points to 84.9 percent, respectively. Nursing care properties saw a steep decline to 76 percent occupancy in the third quarter, NIC said.</p><p>NIC MAP’s Intra-Quarterly data show that the occupancy rate for majority assisted living facilities was down 6.1 percentage points for NIC MAP’s Primary Markets since March 2020.</p><p>Independent living facilities saw a considerable increase in inventory, posting the largest gain since early 2009, NIC said.</p><p>“This reflects the relatively robust lending and development environment of 18 to 24 months ago that supported construction starts back then, and which now are completed properties entering the market,” said Chuck Harry, chief operating officer of NIC. </p><p>“Construction starts activity in the third quarter continued to be relatively weak, reflecting today’s more constrained capital markets.”</p><p>NIC said there are large disparities between occupancy rates across metro areas and properties. San Jose, Calif. (89.9 percent), San Francisco (87.0 percent), and Portland (85.5 percent) had the highest occupancy rates of the 31 metropolitan markets that encompass NIC MAP’s Primary Markets, while Houston (75.9 percent), Atlanta (77.4 percent), and Phoenix (78.6 percent) recorded the lowest. </p><p>Of note, the occupancy rate for senior housing in the Sacramento area fell 8.6 percentage points since the beginning of the pandemic to 80.6 percent in the third quarter, while the Washington, D.C., area saw a smaller 2.2 percentage point drop to 84.7 percent.</p><p>“What we’re seeing is a barbell effect, where 34 percent of senior housing properties in the NIC MAP Primary Markets reported occupancies above 90 percent in the third quarter, while 36 percent reported occupancies below 80 percent,” said NIC’s chief economist, Beth Burnham Mace. </p><p>“The operators with higher occupancy rates will be able to take on the stress of COVID-19, while those with lower occupancy rates will be more challenged.”</p><p>Read the full report at <a href="https&#58;//www.nic.org/news-press/senior-housing-occupancy-reaches-record-low-in-third-quarter/" target="_blank">https&#58;//www.nic.org/news-press/senior-housing-occupancy-reaches-record-low-in-third-quarter/</a>.</p>2020-10-16T04:00:00Z<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/housing.jpg" style="BORDER&#58;0px solid;" />CaregivingPatrick Connole​New NIC data show that senior housing occupancy declined 2.6 percentage points in the third quarter of 2020, from 84.7 percent to 82.1 percent.
Cleaning and Disinfecting in the Era of COVID-19<p>Like the coronavirus, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are under the microscope. The high mortality rate among SNF residents has drawn significant attention from national health organizations and the media. The issue&#58; An estimated 42 percent of America’s 150,000 COVID-19 deaths have been associated with elder care facilities. By comparison, residents of SNFs account for less than 0.62 percent of the population, according to Forbes, on May 22.<br></p><p>To help protect this vulnerable population, the Department of Health and Human Services allocated $5 billion in July to help combat infection in nursing homes. The money included funding for an online infection control training program available to Medicare-certified long term care facilities.<br></p><p>“Education and training is the key for controlling coronavirus,” says Sam Okafor of ServiceMaster Building Services in Portland, Ore. “A facility’s infection preventionist and the environmental services team are the front line for infection prevention. They should receive thorough and frequent training. Cleaning knowledge and diligence will keep residents and staff safer.”<br></p><p>Professional cleaning companies typically have subject matter experts who are highly trained and credentialed in the science of cleaning and disinfecting. ServiceMaster Clean often shares its knowledge with facilities that seek help. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding safety in the era of COVID-19.<br></p><p><em class="ms-rteForeColor-8">Has cleaning protocol changed because of the pandemic? How?</em><br>Yes, in three ways&#58; greater frequency of disinfecting, especially high-touch areas; more use of full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); and the timing of cleanings. Before the pandemic, cleaning was often done after hours. Now, because of the greater frequency of cleaning and the need to reassure residents and guests, cleaning is being conducted throughout the day.<br></p><p><span class="ms-rteForeColor-8"><em>When do you recommend full PPE for cleaning staff? What protection should be worn for normal cleaning duties?</em></span><br>Regarding PPE requirements, we recommend following the Centers for Disease Control &amp; Prevention (CDC), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and any requirements set forth by state or local government. For health care personnel working around residents with Covid-19, CDC recommends a face shield or goggles, an N-95 mask or respirator, a gown or body covering, and gloves. For normal cleaning, gloves and a face mask should be worn. Refer to product labels regarding additional PPE requirements.<br></p><p><em class="ms-rteForeColor-8">Given that CDC now says COVID-19 typically spreads by respiratory droplets, is the cleaning of high-touch points still a priority for stopping the spread of the virus? </em><br>Yes, cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas will always be important. Infected persons could cough or sneeze and contaminate surfaces with their respiratory droplets. Other persons could then touch the contaminated surface, touch their face, and become infected.<br></p><p><em class="ms-rteForeColor-8">Is fogging effective for eliminating pathogens, specifically COVID-19?</em><br>The EPA currently does not recommend fogging application as fogging is often imprecise.* That’s why most professional cleaning companies use a hands-on application method for maximum effectiveness.<br></p><p><em class="ms-rteForeColor-8">What would you recommend for a SNF that wants to create a safe space for visitors to interact with their loved ones? </em><br>We recommend following CDC guidance.<strong>**</strong> This would certainly include social distancing of six feet or more. Additionally, we would recommend interaction occur outdoors in fresh air or in an indoor space that is well ventilated with fresh air from outdoors. Furthermore, face coverings should also be worn during interaction. <br></p><p><em class="ms-rteForeColor-8">What are the most important things a facility’s infection preventionist should know about cleaning and disinfecting (priorities 1, 2, and 3)? </em><br>1. For Covid-19 purposes, a disinfectant on the EPA’s List N&#58; Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) should be used and should be applied in a method specified on its EPA product label. <br>2. Proper disinfection cannot occur without proper cleaning. If gross soiling is present, a one-step cleaner disinfectant can be used. If you are not using a one-step product, the surface must be cleaned first, then disinfected. <br>3. Appropriate dwell time (time the product must remain wet on a surfact) must be achieved for proper disinfection to occur. The EPA product label will specify the dwell time. The EPA’s List N also will specify appropriate dwell time for each product on the list.<br></p><p><em class="ms-rteForeColor-8">What should residents know about cleaning and disinfecting that will help keep them safer? </em><br>Residents should be reminded to perform personal hygiene practices. Emphasize thorough hand washing, performed frequently. This is the No. 1 way to prevent the spread of infection. Meanwhile, avoid touching of the eyes, nose, and mouth. Also, remember that disinfection, while effective if done properly, is only for a snapshot in time. Once someone re-enters the space after disinfection, that space could be recontaminated. For this reason, residents should perform proper hand hygiene immediately after touching surfaces in common areas. </p><p><em class="ms-rteForeColor-8">If cleaning is done by an in-house team, how can one be sure they are trained properly to eliminate infection?</em><br>Facility cleaning staff should, at minimum, be knowledgeable of the following&#58; CDC guidelines for disinfection and proper use of PPE; EPA guidelines for how to apply disinfectant and each product’s prescribed dwell time; and the need for frequent cleaning of high-touch, high-traffic areas along with a detailed list of those surfaces and appropriate products to use.<em class="ms-rteForeColor-8"><br></em></p><p><em class="ms-rteForeColor-8">If a facility hires an outside contractor to help with cleaning, how do staff know they are qualified to clean and disinfect properly?</em><br>An outside contractor should be able to demonstrate the correct protocol for proper cleaning and disinfection. At minimum, their protocol should align with CDC and EPA guidelines. The contractor also should be able to reference their training for cleaning and disinfecting in the health care environment. Furthermore, if the contractor has any certifications for cleaning and disinfection in the health care environment, that would be another good indicator of their qualification. </p><p><span class="ms-rteForeColor-8"><em>Is it possible to keep common areas safe, especially dining rooms? </em></span><br>No area of any facility can be guaranteed to be disinfected 100 percent of the time. However, with high-frequency cleaning and disinfection it is possible to greatly reduce the risk of spreading infection. <br>For dining rooms specifically, here’s a recommended cleaning protocol&#58;<br>1. Clean and disinfect prior to the first meal of the day. <br>2. Clean and disinfect after first meal. <br>3. Clean and disinfect after second meal. <br>4. Clean and disinfect after third meal. <br>5. Clean and disinfect after any other events in the dining rooms such as an activity or a facility meeting. <br>6. Limit access to the dining area at all other times. Have a designated area for residents to obtain snacks and beverages between meals. Ensure surfaces in this area are frequently cleaned and disinfected in addition to full dining room cleaning and disinfection. <br></p><p><em class="ms-rteForeColor-8">If one cleans to eliminate COVID-19, is she also preventing other infectious diseases and irritants such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), influenza, and Clostridium difficile (C. diff)? </em><br>Many of the disinfectants on the EPA’s List N that are approved for use against Covid-19 are effective in disinfecting against MRSA and influenza. These disinfectants are acceptable for daily use against most pathogens commonly found in health care facilities. The disinfectant’s EPA product label will list its kill claims and required dwell times. <br></p><p>C. diff requires a sporicidal disinfectant. The EPA has List K, which contains sporicidal disinfectants that are approved for use against C. diff. Not all disinfectants on List N are on List K. In cases of C. diff, the facility should ensure that an EPA-registered sporicidal disinfectant on List K is used. <br><br><em>Daniel Gravatt is business operations manager for ServiceMaster Clean, which has more than 900 franchised and licensed locations around the world. He is a licensed nursing home administrator and a trainer of the Certified Surgical Cleaning Technician program. He can be reached at <a href="mailto&#58;dgravatt@smclean.com" target="_blank">dgravatt@smclean.com</a>.​</em></p><p><br></p><p><strong>*www.epa.gov/coronavirus/can-i-use-fumigation-or-electrostatic-spraying-help-control-covid-19</strong><br><strong>**www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/retirement/index.html</strong><br></p>2020-10-01T04:00:00Z<img alt="" src="/Monthly-Issue/2020/October/PublishingImages/cleaning.jpg" style="BORDER&#58;0px solid;" />Management;COVID-19Daniel GravattProfessional cleaning companies typically have subject matter experts who are highly trained and credentialed in the science of cleaning and disinfecting.
Clinical Partnerships with a Local TouchIn serving the long term and post-acute care pharmacy needs of its clients, PharMerica employs a three-pronged approach to achieving optimal outcomes by tapping into the company’s expertise in the medical, consultant pharmacist, and nursing fields. <br><div><br></div><div>At a time of a flurry of regulatory and clinical activity around the COVID-19 pandemic, it makes even more sense for long term care and senior living communities to have a pharmacy partner capable of seeing what risks lie ahead and then being able to implement solutions to answer these challenges.</div><h2>Mission Bound</h2>In undertaking this multi-pronged strategy, PharMerica is furthering its mission&#58; to help people live their best life and at the same time advance the success of its clients by providing the capabilities and trusted expertise to help facilities stay ahead. <br><div><br></div><div><img src="/Monthly-Issue/2020/October/PublishingImages/WilliamMills.jpg" alt="William Mills" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;205px;height&#58;256px;" />To understand better how PharMerica brings its strengths to bear for each client, it is important to realize that the company, while being a national leader in the pharmacy space, is also intensely focused on the local delivery of its services. And, it keeps this philosophy when meshing the three-pronged approach, says William Mills, MD, senior vice president, medical affairs, at PharMerica.</div><br>“PharMerica prides itself on being a partner with the long term care and senior living communities it serves,” he says.<br><div><br></div><div>“We have really seen this work&#58; being a large company with scale with a local presence. It has proven to be the key to our high-quality medical management, exceptionally high medication adherence, and also our robust consulting program,” Mills continues. </div><br>“For example, every prescription sent by prescribers helps our pharmacists flag potential adverse drug interactions, realize opportunities for e-prescribing, and play a role as some of the ways that long term care and senior living can minimize avoidable hospitalizations and decrease readmissions.”<h2>Flu Season Like No Other</h2>In practical terms, Mills points to PharMerica’s efforts this pending flu season as a prime example of how the company puts its clients in a position to succeed in what may prove to be an especially harsh combined flu–COVID-19 time period.<br><div><br></div><div>“The COVID-19 pandemic makes now the perfect time to not only continue to work to protect our clients’ residents from the coronavirus, but also to plan for the rapidly approaching flu season,” he says. “It’s critically important for senior living leadership to start planning flu shot/vaccine strategies while everything is fresh in our minds with respect to infection control and appropriate precautions.”</div><br><div>There is a dual threat out there, Mills says, noting the role PharMerica pharmacists can take in helping to procure and deliver the flu vaccine, which may be a sign of things to come with a COVID-19 vaccine sometime later this year or early in 2021.</div><br><div>“On the long term care side we have the ability to procure and administer a vaccine with our pharmacist team while working with nursing staff, and on the senior living side, our Value Med service line actively promotes and convenes onsite flu vaccine clinics,” he says.</div><br>On a potential COVID-19 vaccine, PharMerica is also front and center with its Chief Pharmacy Officer T.J. Griffin a part of the federal Operation Warp Speed effort to bring a vaccine to bear as quickly and safely as possible. “PharMerica is looking to play a leading role by using our abilities to get vaccines out widely to long term care and senior living. We have more than 225 local consultant pharmacists experienced in vaccination strategies,” Mills stresses.<br><div><br></div><div>And, notably, since the pandemic began, PharMerica has focused on implementing best practices in infection control, visitor management, employee screening, and streamlined reporting and triage protocols to optimally support communities. </div><br>“Our approach, including our pharmacist-led outbreak mitigation approach in long term care, has been published in four peer-reviewed medical journals, and the work has been cited by the World Health Organization and the International Long Term Care Policy Network, among others,” he says.<h2>Consulting and Nursing Strategies</h2>Prongs two and three in the PharMerica effort to bring clinical excellence to its clients are the consultant pharmacist and nursing operations. For starters, Marti Wdowicki, director of clinical operations – South, PharMerica, says the company’s 225 local consultant pharmacists throughout the country are a valued member of every client facility’s interdisciplinary team.<br><div><br></div><div><img src="/Monthly-Issue/2020/October/PublishingImages/MarthaWdowicki.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" alt="Marti Wdowicki" style="margin&#58;50px;width&#58;205px;height&#58;256px;" />She says these pharmacists help long term care and senior living communities achieve optimal outcomes for their residents and their bottom line. </div><br>Armed with thorough understanding of the facility’s unique needs, the consultant provides a tailored program that encompasses the educational, regulatory, and cost-containment concerns of the facility while assuring appropriate medication therapy for each resident. Some examples include&#58;<br><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li>iMRR New Move Ins (Senior Living and Skilled)<br></li><li>iMMR Falls Review<br></li><li>E-Prescribing Strategy<br></li><li>Reporting and Education to Improve Outcomes<br></li><li>Education and Training<br></li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><div>Wdowicki, a 23-year veteran of PharMerica, says the fundamental role of the consultant pharmacist is to review the medication of every nursing home resident and offer clinical services to assisted living and other senior living settings.</div><br>“In addition to meeting the regulatory compliance needs of clients in the skilled nursing environment, there is the work required to mitigate risk by providing clinical oversight and also the work to make sure the right medications are being used at the best price point,” she says.<h2>Personal Touch</h2><div>The pharmacists typically are in their jobs for the duration, Wdowicki says, allowing PharMerica to offer a personal touch with its customers, residents, and administrators alike.</div><br><div>“Normally, you will see a pharmacist sitting down [in non-COVID times] at a nursing station, talking to a director of nursing or nurse about their husband having trouble with some medication, or a family member’s blood pressure being up or down, or how to safely destroy a resident’s unused medications,” she says.<br></div><br><div>“We get personally involved with the individuals who staff our client facilities, and we are reviewing the same residents month after month and they really get to know everyone, building strong bonds over the years,” Wdowicki says.<br></div><h2>Nursing’s Role </h2><div>Elena Hart, senior nurse consultant, PharMerica, represents a dedicated team of over 140 local field nurses who consult with facilities and community staff and provide education, as well as support through state requirements and regulations.</div><br><div><img src="/Monthly-Issue/2020/October/PublishingImages/ElenaHart.jpg" alt="Elena Hart" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;205px;height&#58;256px;" />This job is more than just filling orders, considering long term care facilities today need a partner who can help them stay ahead of risks and opportunities. <br></div><div><br></div><div>Hart says PharMerica in turn backs up its pharmacy capabilities with clinical consulting services to help clients improve the quality of care and their operations for optimal outcomes and revenue, rounding out the three-pronged approach to excellence. <br></div><div><br></div>PharMerica’s specially trained consultant pharmacists and nurse consultants provide an added layer of safety, delivering expert advice through&#58;<br><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li>Medication regimen reviews to ensure appropriate therapy, reduce errors, and minimize polypharmacy;</li><li>Staff education to advance knowledge and reduce risk;</li><li>Field support for state requirements and regulations; and</li><li>Survey audit, preparation, and support.</li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><div>Hart notes that “our interview process is quite extensive as we are looking for someone who has long term care experience, is able to work autonomously, and has a desire to travel.”<br></div><br><div>As a proactive service, Nurse Consulting Services offers PharMerica clients a variety of audits and education, including mock surveys, which help communities stay in compliance with state and federal regulations. <br></div><div><br></div><div>“We are looking for reliable and trustworthy people that are seeking a long-term career with PharMerica,” Hart says. <br></div><div><br></div><div>“Building a solid relationship with our clients is vital to a successful partnership. Establishing trust and dependability aids in our efforts to keep the facility in compliance and when making recommendations for areas of improvement to the director of nursing.</div><div><br></div>“As a liaison for our customers, our goal is to assist in providing quality care, while remaining compliant with ever-changing regulations,” Hart says. “Accomplishing this aspect follows the consistent efforts of PharMerica to keep the partner’s best interest at heart.” <br>2020-10-01T04:00:00Z<img alt="" src="/Monthly-Issue/2020/October/PublishingImages/pharmerica.jpg" style="BORDER&#58;0px solid;" />Patrick ConnoleAt a time of a flurry of regulatory and clinical activity around the COVID-19 pandemic, it makes even more sense for long term care and senior living communities to have a pharmacy partner capable of seeing what risks lie ahead and then being able to implement solutions to answer these challenges.