What role could MMJ have at nursing homes?
Millions of people in this country suffer from age related conditions, a percentage of them reside in nursing homes. Often times, residents at nursing homes have little input over the prescribed course of treatment, particularly when it comes to trying an "alternative" medicine like Cannabis. One possible reason for that, is the lack of knowledge about the variety of methods you can use to medicate. People do not need to inhale or smoke anything to obtain benefits. There is also a misconception that you will get "high as a kite". That is an option, but there are many CBD (Cannabidiol - a cannabinoid found in certain MMJ varieties) based medicines that produce zero intoxication.
There are many conditions for which Medical Marijuana has shown a positive impact for a percentage of sufferers. Many of the conditions like, arthritis, chronic pain, depression, sleep disorders and lack of appetite are common amongst nursing home residents. According to the National Council on Aging ( LINK ) approximately 92% of older adults have at least one chronic condition. They also report that 75% of the money our nation spends on health care is related to these chronic conditions. The statistic that stood out for us, was that two-thirds of older adults with mental health problems do not receive the treatment they need.
A big reason many people advocate for Medical Marijuana, is the positive impact it can have on quality of life. The term quality of life is something we talk about a lot, it could mean a better and brighter attitude on life or it could mean relief from chronic pain, it could be both. The mental and physical benefits have been praised by many and considering a good percentage of people who tried MMJ have reduced their intake of prescribed opiod medicines, MMJ is worth investigating.
A few of the popular forms of medicating without inhaling include juicing raw Cannabis leafs, tinctures, topical creams, patches and edibles. According to all scientific data, you will not have a fatal overdose from Cannabis. We all know the contrary is true for opiod medicines. Not only is the risk of addiction and abuse so high with opiods, it also comes with life threatening consequences, even more so when people are taking a variety of medications.
Other ways Medical Marijuana may help to lift the spirits for many nursing home residents, is the artistic and creativity that tends to come along with the THC (a cannabinoid found in the majority MMJ varieties, produces a high) based medications. Some people report a heightened imagination, enhanced musical experiences and an overall increase in creativity. Medical Marijuana isn't right for everyone, but when it comes to a heightened sense of morale and the possibility of a better well-being for nursing home residents, it is most definitely worth exploring.
