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“Meds are a Real Tricky Area”

Medication management is among the most commonly cited reasons for moving to assisted living and is closely associated with resident quality of care and life. Yet the issue has received little research attention. Using data from the statewide study, “Job Satisfaction and Retention of Direct Care Staff in Assisted Living,” this article examines medication management policies and practices across 45 facilities in Georgia. Guided by principles of Grounded Theory Method, we analyzed qualitative data from surveys with 370 direct care workers (DCWs) and in-depth interviews with 41 DCWs and 44 administrators. Our analysis showed that medication managers vary widely in their backgrounds, positions, and training, largely based on home size and resources. Despite identifying common dimensions of the medication management process, we found variation in procedures and regulatory compliance based on facility, staff, and resident factors. Our findings relate to and extend existing work and have practice and research implications.