Medication Administration Records (MAR) for Adult Family Homes
A Medication Administration Record (MAR) is the running log of the medications a resident is prescribed and the record of when each dose was given. For Adult Family Homes that assist with medications, a clear MAR is one of the most important day-to-day documents.
This article explains the general purpose of a MAR and common good-practice habits. It is educational only and not medical, legal, or regulatory advice — follow the current requirements from DSHS and the WAC, any RN delegation instructions, and your prescribers.
What a MAR typically captures
- Resident identity, allergies, and prescriber/pharmacy contact details
- Each medication, dose, route, and scheduled times
- Initials confirming each dose was given, at the time it was given
- A separate area for PRN (as-needed) medications with reason and result
Good-practice habits
Records are most useful — and least likely to raise questions — when they are filled in consistently and at the time of administration rather than reconstructed later.
- Record doses when they happen, not at the end of a shift
- Keep entries legible and avoid blank cells; note refusals or held doses clearly
- Document PRN results (did the as-needed medication help?)
- Store medications and records securely and consistently
When medications change
New orders, discontinued medications, and changes are common. A consistent process for transcribing changes onto the MAR helps prevent errors — many homes pair the MAR with a doctor-communication form so changes are captured in one place.