According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, almost 70 percent of people turning 65 will need long-term care at some point in their lives. The need for more assisted living and long-term care facilities will increase as the age of baby boomers (1946-1964) continues to climb. With the growing aging population comes a change in health care services. 

To meet the expanding needs of long-term residential care, Guardian Pharmacy of Atlanta is developing partnerships with assisted living, skilled nursing, and behavioral health facilities.

Guardian Pharmacy of Atlanta is an independently owned and operated pharmacy within the Guardian Pharmacy network of 22 pharmacies in 14 states. 

In 2012, Matthew Hopp, president and founder of Guardian Pharmacy of Atlanta, set a goal to impact the landscape of long-term care in Georgia.

Focused on managing the pharmaceutical needs of long-term care facilities, Hopp explains that the role of Guardian Pharmacy of Atlanta is greater than just the dispensing of prescribed medication. 

“We are focused on the total care of the residents,” said Hopp. “We help build the patient’s medical profile and work with the physicians and nurses to determine the best pharmaceutical options for each patient.” 

His entrepreneurial spirit and more than a decade of experience in long-term care has helped Hopp increase Guardian Pharmacy of Atlanta’s employee base from 10 to 43 through acquisitions and strategic growth. 

Last year, Guardian Pharmacy of Atlanta acquired two locally owned long-term pharmacies, which increased its customer base by more than 112 percent and its prescription volume by more than 70 percent. 

“We have had substantial growth due to our focused care on the customers,” said Hopp. “Many companies focus on growth, but growth comes with the quality of care you are providing.”

Guardian Pharmacy’s philosophy is focused on partnerships and developing innovative solutions to help long-term care communities better serve their residents.

“The past couple of years we have spent time building a professional team and investing resources toward our on-site consulting program,” said Hopp, who personally visits residential sites to conduct training and consult with professional staff. “I will send licensed nurses and geriatric pharmacists on-site to work with the nurses and caregivers to ensure the medication is administered properly.” 

The Guardian Pharmacy of Atlanta staff provides the highest quality of pharmaceutical care, especially for geriatric patients.  

“We have certified geriatric pharmacists on staff that specialize in the care of the elderly. We spend time reviewing each patient’s medical history to ensure they are not receiving medication that conflicts with each other,” said Hopp. “We are looking at the total care of each resident. Our team builds the patient’s profile, contacts the physician, makes recommendations, and offers less expensive alternatives when available.” 

The Guardian Pharmacy of Atlanta team is working to transition the communities they serve to electronic medical records (eMARS), which is being mandated by the federal government. 

“We are proactively helping our customers move to eMARS and providing the equipment and on-site training,” said Hopp. “We provide the laptop that goes directly on the medical cart and work with the customers to determine the best software to use.” 

The eMAR training is a continuous process, and the Guardian Pharmacy of Atlanta team works with the skilled nursing staff to make sure all information is properly entered in the system.

Hopp has spent his entire professional career working in long-term care facilities including volunteering at a nursing home while in college. He has managed large corporate pharmacies and has used his experience to develop Guardian Pharmacy of Atlanta.  

“We treat our customers and employees with honesty and respect,” said Hopp. “We are true partners with the communities we serve.”

For more information on Guardian Pharmacy of Atlanta , visit the website at 
http://www.guardianpharmacyatlanta.com/