What type of medication should not be retained for bulk in an assisted living facility?

In an assisted living facility, it is essential to manage medications judiciously to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. Cough syrup, particularly in bulk, should not be retained because it is often used for short-term treatment of specific symptoms rather than ongoing conditions. Keeping excessive amounts of cough syrup can lead to the risk of misuse, overuse, or potential interactions with other medications.

Gentle management of medications, especially those that are not intended for long-term use, is crucial. Items like prescription antibiotics are prescribed for specific infections and typically have a defined treatment duration. Liquid pain medications and medications for depression are usually adjusted based on an individual's ongoing care and health requirements. Therefore, retaining cough syrup in bulk could increase the likelihood of administering it inappropriately or beyond recommended usage, which is why it is not advisable to keep it on hand in larger quantities.