Abstract
The obstacles in the area of needs assessment, selling the idea, human resources, and finance are addressed. Needs assessment should be addressed in the planning stage of implementing a new or revised pharmacy service to the elderly. It is the first of many stages in which the involvement of people from different departments and levels of authority is crucial to the success of the project. The advantage of involving many different people within and outside of the pharmacy department in the needs assessment is that the foundation is established for their ultimate acceptance of the new service or project. The greatest obstacle to the implementation of services in a LTCF is also the greatest resource, people. Identifying the people who are resistant to change will enable management to address the root of the resistance early in the implementation process. Working within the LTCF organizational and authority structure will increase the acceptance of the change. Most facilities operate on a budget that has limited funds; therefore, internal and external funding need to be creatively investigated.
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