Elder Community Care: Enhancing Wellness Through Cannabis as an Alternative to Pharmaceuticals

The Wellness Journey

Caring for aging loved ones, especially those battling conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's, is an emotional and challenging journey. For many families, traditional pharmaceutical medications often raise concerns about side effects and overall quality of life. As someone who has walked this path with my mother for over a decade, I understand these challenges intimately. My mother, a lifelong school teacher and administrator throughout the Bay Area, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014. Having years of experience and knowledge about alternative wellness options, I decided to explore a different path. Instead of relying solely on pharmaceuticals, I introduced cannabis tinctures and topicals to her care routine. The results were remarkable-her mood and sleep improved, her aches and pains were minimized.  

In 2018, our family decided to move her from her home into a Memory Care Facility to receive the higher level of care she needed. Her care team at the facility noticed her overall calm, sweet demeanor compared to other residents with similar conditions. Seeing the positive effects cannabis had on my mother inspired the facility to refer me to other families and their loved ones in similar situations for support.

My Mother’s Journey with Cannabis

As my mother’s Alzheimer’s progressed, I watched her face the challenges that come with memory loss and confusion. The typical course of treatment prescribed for Alzheimer’s includes various pharmaceuticals aimed at managing symptoms like anxiety, aggression, and sleeplessness. However, these medications often come with side effects that can sometimes outweigh their benefits. In my mother’s case, I was concerned about how these medications might affect her quality of life. Would they leave her feeling sedated or disconnected?

Cannabis is known for its potential to help manage various symptoms that older adults may face, such as pain, inflammation, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. By opting for non-psychoactive forms such as CBD tinctures and topicals, my mother was able to receive the benefits of cannabis without any feeling of being “high.” This helped her remain sober while alleviating some of the discomforts that often come with aging and Alzheimer’s.

Sharing My Knowledge with Others

As I spent more time at the facility, I began to connect with other families facing similar challenges with their loved ones. I would often share my experience of using cannabis to enhance my mother’s care, and soon, many of these families began asking for my advice. They, too, were looking for ways to improve the quality of life for their elderly family members, many of whom were struggling with the side effects of pharmaceuticals.

As word spread, and more families began to enlist my help and expertise, I This led me to offer my services professionally. Helping other families navigate the world of alternative wellness and incorporate cannabis into their care plans unearthed the major demand that there is for this kind of care. Today, my mother is in her 10th year of her Alzheimer’s journey, and she continues to do well. The use of cannabis has played a vital role in her ongoing care, contributing to her comfort and overall well-being.

Why Consider Cannabis for Elder Care?

Cannabis offers a range of benefits for seniors, especially those facing chronic conditions. Here are some reasons to consider it as an alternative or complement to pharmaceuticals:

• Pain Management: Cannabis, particularly CBD, has been shown to help reduce chronic pain and inflammation, offering a natural alternative to traditional pain medications.

• Anxiety Relief: Many seniors struggle with anxiety or agitation, especially in cases of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Cannabis can help to calm these symptoms, promoting a sense of relaxation.

• Improved Sleep: Sleep disturbances are common among older adults. Cannabis can help regulate sleep patterns, allowing seniors to rest more peacefully.

• Non-Psychoactive Options: With the availability of non-psychoactive cannabis products like CBD topicals and tinctures, seniors can benefit from cannabis without the fear of feeling “high.”

• Fewer Side Effects: Compared to pharmaceuticals, cannabis often comes with fewer and milder side effects, allowing seniors to maintain a higher quality of life without feeling overly sedated or disconnected.

A New Approach to Elder Care

For many families, making the decision to incorporate cannabis into their loved ones’ care is about enhancing quality of life. It’s about finding alternatives that help alleviate pain, anxiety, and discomfort without the burden of heavy pharmaceuticals. With proper guidance, cannabis can be an empowering tool for elder care, offering a natural, gentle way to manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. It can also help potentially decrease the dependency on other pharmaceuticals. 

If you’re looking for ways to improve your loved one’s care and are curious about how cannabis could make a difference, I’m here to help. With years of experience and a personal connection to this work, I can guide you through the process of integrating cannabis into your loved one’s care plan safely and effectively.

Together, we can enhance the lives of our elderly loved ones, offering them comfort, dignity, and improved wellness as they continue their journey.