To the editor:
New York nursing homes face severe strain. Staffing shortages leave nurses stretched thin and residents waiting for routine medications they rely on daily.
A practical solution exists: allow trained medication technicians to administer routine medications under nurse supervision. Medication technicians already perform this role in assisted living settings and many states. Yet New York nursing homes still require licensed nurses to handle nearly all medication administration. The result is inefficiency, with nurses spending hours on medication rounds instead of assessments and responding to clinical changes.
In Monroe County, nearly one in four residents is over 60. Many skilled nursing beds remain unused due to workforce shortages. Authorizing medication technicians would support, not replace, nurses. With standardized training and oversight, they can administer routine medications and improve care. Gov. Hochul could update regulations as a responsible step to protect access to care.
Michael E. McRae, Rochester
EDITOR’S NOTE: Michael McRae is president of St. Ann’s Community
Tags: Life Issues, NY Catholics
