This is an age old question: Should CNA’s pass meds? What if we had more training? What if the states mandated that the practice of CNAs include passing routine medications as delegated by the nurse?

Forbes has an article up about this very subject:

Frail seniors, as well as adults with disabilities, often need help with routine medical care such as taking pills, receiving injections, getting oxygen, or managing catheters. Traditionally, this assistance has been provided only by nurses. But, especially for people living at home or even in assisted living facilities, having a nurse provide this routine care is prohibitively expensive and can lead to long delays in getting assistance. As a result, states are increasingly permitting home health aides or certified nursing assistants to take on these responsibilities.

Personally I don’t see where I would have the time to collect meds and pass them. If a system could be set up that made this process very simple and involve very little time, I think it could work.