How Cannabis Is Changing Dementia Care For Patients And Families
Cannabis is increasingly being used to address dementia symptoms in older adults, providing an alternative for those seeking relief from anxiety, agitation and sleep disturbances.
As more traditional medications show mixed results or introduce challenging side effects, patients and caregivers are exploring cannabis as an option for enhancing quality of life in dementia care, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Rising Interest In Cannabis For Dementia
According to Dr. Jeffrey Hergenrather, a general practitioner in Sebastopol, California, with over 25 years of experience specializing in cannabis, “Roughly 20% of the people who come for a cannabis consultation now are dementia patients.”
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This growing interest is echoed by Brenda Roberts, executive director of the National Council of Dementia Minds, a nonprofit focused on advocacy for dementia patients. Roberts notes that discussions about cannabis are frequent in support groups and community discussions.
She also shares the personal experience of her 72-year-old husband, Mark Roberts, who has vascular dementia and benefits from a daily liquid dose of cannabis to manage his anxiety. “It just calms me down,” he says. “It gets your nerves down so you’re not so rattled. It helps your …