Supplements: The Wild West of Wellness (and How ALF Nurses Can Navigate It)

Supplements are everywhere these days. It seems like there's a magic pill for everything from boosting your energy to growing hair down to your ankles. And let's be honest, even we might take a few ourselves! As nurses, we probably got a quick overview of supplements back in school, but let's face it, that barely scratches the surface of what's available today. Yet, families and residents are frequently asking us about them. "Can I take this for that?" "Will this help with this?" It's a supplement free-for-all!

So, what's a nurse to do? We're responsible for the meds we and our team give, even if it's "just a supplement." That's where your amazing network of resources comes in!

Reach out to the resident's primary care provider. Have a discussion of the supplement requested and ask if it's contraindicated with any existing medical conditions or current medications. Knowing the potential side effects is also super important so you can inform the resident and their family. In our facility, we require a signed PCP order for all meds and supplements we administer – it's just good practice.

And here's another pro tip: your pharmacist is your best friend! Give them a call and ask them to do a review of the resident's current medications, including the new supplement. They can help spot any potential interactions.

Now, here's the tricky part: supplements are often unregulated, and there's usually not a ton of research backing up their claims (or lack thereof). But, I also think of them like a placebo for some. If it's not going to cause harm and it makes the resident or family feel good, that's valuable in itself.

One crucial thing to always check: Make absolutely sure the supplement is properly labeled. This means it has a clear list of ingredients, dosage instructions, and ideally, some kind of verification of quality (like a USP or NSF seal). If it looks sketchy, it's a hard no.

The bottom line? Even though supplements can feel a bit like the Wild West, we still need to be diligent. Use your resources, get those orders, and make sure you're only giving supplements that are safe. It's all about keeping our residents healthy and happy!