M2: Before You Accept the Diagnosis: A Medication Framework for Social Workers in Care Transitions

When a family hears "dementia," they start making irreversible decisions such as selling the house, quitting jobs, and planning for memory care. But what if the diagnosis was wrong? As a pharmacist specializing in older adults, I've reviewed medication lists where the "dementia" diagnosis was actually drug-induced cognitive impairment—completely reversible once identified; Anticholinergics hiding in PM medications. Benzodiazepines prescribed years ago and never stopped. Sedatives masking as sleep aids. Social workers are often the first professionals families trust during care transitions. You see the medication lists. You hear the family's timeline. You're positioned to catch what others miss if you know what to look for. This workshop introduces the MEDIC framework: a systematic approach to identifying medication red flags before families commit to permanent care decisions. You'll leave with practical tools to ask better questions and recognize when "dementia" deserves a second look.