What does a geriatric pharmacist do?

What is a Geriatric Pharmacist?

A geriatric pharmacist is a licensed pharmacist who focuses on the unique medication needs of older adults. As we get older, many people take several medications at once, and their bodies change in ways that affect how these medicines work. Geriatric pharmacists have special training to help manage these medications safely and effectively, making sure seniors get the best care possible while avoiding problems. Their work helps improve the quality of life for older adults and can even prevent trips to the hospital.

What does a Geriatric Pharmacist do?

Duties and Responsibilities
Geriatric pharmacists play a key role in helping older adults use medications safely and effectively. Their work combines clinical expertise with a strong focus on patient care.

• Review Medication Lists: Check all the medicines a patient is taking to spot possible drug interactions, duplications, or unnecessary medications.
• Adjust Dosages for Age-Related Changes: Recommend changes to medication types or doses based on how aging affects drug absorption and metabolism.
• Collaborate with Healthcare Teams: Work closely with doctors, nurses, and other health professionals to create safe, effective treatment plans.
• Educate Patients and Caregivers: Explain how to take medications correctly, what side effects to watch for, and how to manage them.
• Monitor for Side Effects and Effectiveness: Follow up with patients to make sure their medications are working well without causing harm.
• Support Polypharmacy Management: Help reduce the number of unnecessary medications while ensuring essential ones are continued.
• Stay Current with Geriatric Care Guidelines: Keep up-to-date with the latest research and recommendations for medication use in older adults.

Different Types of Geriatric Pharmacists
Geriatric pharmacists can distinguish themselves based on a variety of roles and settings:

• Clinical Geriatric Pharmacists work in hospitals or long-term care facilities, collaborating with healthcare teams to manage complex medication regimens for elderly patients.
• Consultant Geriatric Pharmacists often specialize in the complex medication needs of residents in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, conducting regular medication reviews, making recommendations to improve safety and efficacy, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Community Geriatric Pharmacists are based in retail or community pharmacies.
• Ambulatory Care Geriatric Pharmacists work in outpatient clinics or primary care settings to help manage chronic diseases and optimize medication therapy over time.
• Academic or Research Pharmacists (with a geriatric focus) teach future pharmacists or conduct research on drug use, safety, and effectiveness in older populations.
• Home Care Pharmacists provide medication management services directly in patients’ homes, especially for those with limited mobility or complex needs.

In addition to these primary roles, geriatric pharmacists may focus on specific aspects of senior pharmaceutical care:

• Palliative and Hospice Care – focusing on managing pain and symptom relief in elderly patients with terminal or life-limiting illnesses, often requiring expertise in controlled substances and comfort-oriented therapy
• Chronic Disease Management – emphasizing pharmacologic care for conditions common in older adults such as diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, osteoporosis, and dementia
• Psychogeriatrics – specializing in the use of psychotropic medications in elderly patients dealing with depression, anxiety, dementia, or other mental health disorders
• Deprescribing and Polypharmacy Management – focusing on reducing medication burden and preventing harm from unnecessary or inappropriate medications in seniors
• Pharmacogenomics in Older Adults – applying genetic testing to guide drug therapy decisions, which can be especially important in elderly patients with multiple conditions

What is the workplace of a Geriatric Pharmacist like?

Geriatric pharmacists can work for a wide variety of healthcare organizations and institutions that serve aging populations, reflecting the growing need for specialized medication management in aging populations. These are among their most common employers:

• Hospitals and Health Systems – especially those with geriatric care units or inpatient services for older adults
• Long-Term Care Facilities – including nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living centers
• Community Pharmacies – chain and independent pharmacies that serve a high proportion of elderly patients
• Home Health and Hospice Agencies – organizations that provide medication management for homebound or terminally ill seniors
• Outpatient Clinics and Geriatric Practices – ambulatory care settings where pharmacists work as part of a care team
• Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and Insurance Companies – where geriatric pharmacists oversee medication utilization, formulary decisions, and cost control for elderly populations
• Government and Veterans’ Health Services – agencies like the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or Canada’s provincial health authorities
• Academic and Research Institutions – where geriatric pharmacists teach and conduct clinical research focused on medication use in the elderly
• Consulting Firms– providing expert reviews and recommendations to long-term care providers

The workplace of a geriatric pharmacist can look a little different depending on where they work, but it’s almost always clean, well-organized, and set up for careful, focused work.

In hospitals or long-term care facilities, they might work in offices or shared spaces close to patient areas, with access to medical records and spots for private chats or team meetings. In community pharmacies, you’ll usually find them behind the counter with shelves of medicine, computer stations, and a private area where they can talk with patients. Some geriatric pharmacists work in people’s homes, bringing portable tools and paperwork with them. In outpatient clinics, they might work in small offices or consult rooms, often alongside other healthcare professionals.

No matter the setting, the atmosphere is generally calm, professional, and well-equipped with everything needed to manage medications safely and support patients effectively.