By kkhealthcarecentre 
When you think of medical cannabis in a long-term care facility, do you picture seniors using bongs? That’s a common misconception. In public health buildings, all smoking, including cannabis, is prohibited. However, there are other ways to consume cannabis, like capsules and tinctures.
At first glance, a nursing home may seem like a surprising place for medical cannabis, but it makes sense when considering the health issues that seniors face. Did you know that opioid medications are often overused for dementia patients, even when they don’t constantly need pain relief? Research indicates that opioids can worsen pain over time instead of making it easier to handle. Seniors who have been on opioids for a long time need better alternatives, and some healthcare providers believe medical marijuana is a promising option.
Not only does therapeutic cannabis offer effective pain relief, but it may also help with other health conditions. Some studies have shown that cannabinoids have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Managing inflammation might slow down the progression of diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. For diabetic patients, it could help reduce vision loss and nerve damage. Newer research even suggests it might shrink cancerous tumors.
Will American seniors in long-term care be able to try medical cannabis? Some states are already working on legislation, and a nursing home in New York is already offering it.
So, can a senior in a long-term care facility apply for a medical card? By 2050, it’s estimated that there will be over 87 million seniors aged 65 and older, with about 52% of them needing long-term care services. This means around 45.2 million seniors might be in nursing homes or care facilities over the next thirty years. From a healthcare standpoint, relying solely on opioids isn’t sustainable. Opioids not only worsen pain over time but are highly addictive.
Opioids present numerous risks for seniors, such as:
– Chronic constipation
– Nausea and vomiting
– Increased pain sensitivity
– Confusion
– Drowsiness
– Increasing pain medication tolerance
Perhaps the biggest threat is a decrease in balance and hand-eye coordination, with opioids increasing fall and injury risks. For seniors with osteoporosis, this can lead to complications like blood clots from soft tissue injuries.
Currently, patients in nursing or retirement homes can apply for a medical card and potentially receive one, but cannabis products are still banned in most healthcare facilities. This may soon change as many family caregivers advocate for access to medical marijuana in nursing homes.
Do any nursing homes allow medical cannabis? Many would like to, but the legal situation is complex. Since cannabis is classified as a Schedule II drug, providing it can impact funding from federal and state sources. Healthcare providers find themselves in a tough spot—they want to help patients but don’t want to risk legal trouble.
In March 2024, Virginia’s State Legislature introduced Senate Bill 185, which would let family members and healthcare providers recommend and provide medical cannabis for loved ones in long-term care. Other states may follow suit soon. In 2017, Etain Health in New York partnered with a nursing home in the Bronx, allowing them to legally offer medical cannabis to long-term care residents and consult with families. Things are changing, and this is positive news for seniors in assisted living.
How can you determine the best strain and potency for a patient? Seniors may need pain relief without losing alertness, and medical cannabis can offer that. Certain strains provide pain relief without causing drowsiness, making them suitable for geriatrics both at home and in care facilities. Strains known for pain relief without sedation include Durban, Lemon G, Harlequin, and Cannatonic.
Chronic pain can also lead to sleep problems in seniors. Long-term insomnia can affect mood, energy, and immune function, increasing the risk of infections and hampering recovery from injuries or surgery. Strains that offer both pain relief and sedative effects for insomnia include Sour Diesel, Grandaddy Purple, Blueberry Kush, and Northern Lights.
Some seniors in long-term care have health issues that suppress appetite, which is crucial for wellness. Certain medications can cause nausea, vomiting, and digestive issues. Cancer patients undergoing treatments may experience weight loss and diminished taste or smell, making food less appealing. Cannabis strains that can stimulate appetite include Thin Mint GSC, Purple Kush, Chemo, and Monster Cookies.
In the U.S., over 700 cannabis strains have been identified, some dominant in CBD with strong anti-inflammatory potential, and others enhancing alertness and cognition. With medical supervision, many could replace prescription medications, improving outcomes for long-term care seniors.
What’s the future of senior care with legalized cannabis? We might see nursing homes integrating medical marijuana dispensaries or employing a knowledgeable “budtender” for recommendations. Pharmacy technicians could receive training for dispensing cannabis, and nurses could be educated for therapeutic recommendations in collaboration with doctors.
Adding dispensaries in nursing homes could allow family members to advocate for their loved ones and be involved in treatment planning with medical cannabis. As 36 states have legalized medical cannabis, denying LTC seniors access may become unconstitutional. While federal institutions may prohibit cannabis, state or privately-run facilities could allow it.
For seniors in long-term care, this means a more natural alternative to addictive pain medications, potentially better management of symptoms, and an improved quality of life. As the Baby Boomers enter the age of assisted living, they could be strong advocates for medical cannabis as a safer treatment option.