Holidays are filled with activity, and that busy energy can easily spill into medication schedules if teams are not proactive. Travel, family visits, and routine changes create more opportunities for delays or confusion around prescriptions.

Early planning makes all the difference.

When medication needs are reviewed in advance, homes have time to address refills, clarify instructions, and confirm travel supply amounts. Families can leave knowing everything is ready, rather than scrambling at the last minute.

Consistency matters. Even when residents are visiting loved ones, their medication timing should stay as close to normal as possible. This helps prevent side effects, symptom flare-ups, or therapeutic gaps.

Storage also becomes more important during winter travel. Cold temperatures can affect certain medications, so keeping them inside insulated bags and out of vehicles protects their integrity.

Once the visit ends, returning to normal routines quickly helps stabilize residents. Matching returned medications with MARs and resuming standard administration times keeps care on track.

A little planning before the holidays creates peace of mind for families, caregivers, and residents alike.