# Understanding Caregiver Perception in Older Adult Pain Management > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/caregiver-perception-pain-management-older-adults/ > **Published:** 2026-04-25T09:49:22-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:58:12-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore caregiver perception pain management in older adults and its impact on cannabis use and treatment outcomes in geriatric care. --- ✦ New CED Clinical Relevance #72 Notable Clinical Interest Emerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely. PainAgingResearch Why This Matters Clinicians need to understand how older adults and their caregivers perceive cannabis as a pain management option, since miscommunication about expectations and efficacy can lead to inappropriate use or delayed conventional treatment. This perception gap directly affects medication adherence and clinical outcomes in geriatric populations who often use cannabis off-label for chronic pain without adequate medical supervision. Addressing caregiver concerns and providing evidence-based counseling about cannabis efficacy, safety, and drug interactions is essential for older adults managing pain conditions where cannabis may or may not be an appropriate adjunctive therapy. Clinical Summary # Clinical Summary This study examines how older adults and their caregivers perceive pain management, a clinically relevant topic given that pain is among the most common reasons this population seeks medical care. Understanding caregiver perspectives is important because family members often play a crucial role in supporting pain management decisions and monitoring treatment effectiveness in older patients. The findings likely highlight discrepancies between patient-reported pain and caregiver observations, which can affect medication adherence and treatment outcomes. For [cannabis-based therapies](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-inhibit-keratinocyte-proliferation-non-cb1-cb2/) specifically, these perception gaps become important since caregivers may influence whether older adults consider alternative pain management options including cannabinoids. The research underscores how clinician communication with both patients and their caregivers about pain assessment and treatment options, including cannabis when appropriate, can improve pain management outcomes. Clinicians should engage caregivers as informed partners in pain management discussions and ensure shared understanding of treatment goals and expectations. Dr. Caplan’s Take “After two decades managing pain in older adults, I’ve found that caregiver perception often becomes the clinical reality in this population, and cannabis offers a meaningful option when we’ve exhausted safer alternatives, though we must be honest that our evidence base for efficacy in this age group still lags behind our confidence in recommending it.” Clinical Perspective As cannabis continues to be considered for pain management in older adults, understanding caregiver perspectives becomes clinically relevant since caregivers often influence treatment decisions and medication adherence in this population. The perception of pain by both patients and their caregivers can shape whether cannabis is viewed as an acceptable option, yet these perceptions may diverge from objective clinical outcomes and evidence-based guidelines. Clinicians should recognize that caregivers’ beliefs about [cannabis safety](https://cedclinic.com/respiratory-effects-inhalational-marijuana/), efficacy, and social acceptability may not align with current research on [cannabinoid pharmacology](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-drug-interactions-clinical-evidence/), drug-drug interactions, or fall risk in elderly patients, all of which are particularly salient concerns. Rather than assuming agreement between patient, caregiver, and provider on cannabis for pain, practitioners should explicitly explore caregiver attitudes during shared decision-making conversations while remaining anchored to robust evidence about both the benefits and harms in older adults. Taking time to understand and address caregiver concerns directly— 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/forum/pain-management/) Have thoughts on this? 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Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Research Uncovers Motivations Behind Older Adults’ Use of Cannabis Edibles](https://cedclinic.com/research-uncovers-motivations-behind-older-adults-use-of-cannabis-edibles/) Explore the reasons older adults choose [cannabis edibles](https://cedclinic.com/decarboxylating-cannabis-process-why-how/) for pain and other conditions, providing insight into patient motivations and preferences. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/research-uncovers-motivations-behind-older-adults-use-of-cannabis-edibles/) [Medical Cannabis Linked to Meaningful Pain-Related Improvements in Large Minnesota Study](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-linked-to-meaningful-pain-related-improvements-in-large-minnesota-study/) Review findings from a large study demonstrating the potential benefits of medical [cannabis for pain relief](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-evaluation-right-for-you/) in diverse patient populations. [Read Study](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-linked-to-meaningful-pain-related-improvements-in-large-minnesota-study/) [Cannabis Products and Risk Perceptions Among People Who Consume and Do Not](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-risk-perception-differences-users-non-users/) Understand varying perceptions of cannabis risks and benefits among users and non-users, relevant for caregiver and patient education. [Explore Insights](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-risk-perception-differences-users-non-users/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).