Guest blog by Rhiannon Stare, RN, CMC
Riverside Care Advisors – Elder Bloom Wellness
Aging Life Care™ Advanced Professional
As an Aging Life Care Manager and registered nurse, my work has always been about helping older adults and their families navigate the challenges of aging with dignity, safety, and quality of life. Over the years, my journey has led me to integrate cannabis and other plant-based medicines into my practice, opening doors to new possibilities for both clients and caregivers.
My Path to Aging Life Care
Nursing is actually my second career. For nearly ten years, I worked in the pharmaceutical industry. It was stable and rewarding, but I felt something was missing. I longed to make a deeper difference in people’s lives—at the bedside, supporting families, and walking alongside older adults in their most vulnerable moments.
That calling led me into nursing, where I have now served older adults for more than 15 years. Becoming an Aging Life Care Manager was not just a career move, it was a true calling. This work has given me purpose as I help families through complicated decisions and advocate for their loved ones’ well-being.
A Turning Point
After years of care management, I began to notice a troubling pattern. My clients and their caregivers were often overwhelmed by a fragmented healthcare system. Older adults were managing multiple doctors, treatments, and prescriptions—sometimes with more side effects than benefits. Caregivers, meanwhile, were exhausted and stretched thin.
I knew there had to be another way.
In 2023, at a national Aging Life Care conference, I attended a presentation by Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse that shifted my perspective. The idea that cannabis could be used safely and responsibly for older adults was eye-opening. Within months, I became certified as a Cannabis Nurse Health Coach and began integrating cannabis and hemp-derived CBD into client care.
Opening a New World
That certification wasn’t just another credential; it opened an entirely new chapter. I began sharing what I had learned in senior centers, assisted living communities, and with professional peers. Families wanted answers. Could cannabis really help with pain, sleep, anxiety, or even dementia? Could it ease the burden on caregivers? Again and again, I discovered that the answer was yes.
The Benefits I’ve Witnessed – For older adults, cannabis has been transformative:
- Improved symptom management: Relief from chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety.
- Dementia support: Less agitation, reduced sundowning, and calmer sleep.
- Fewer pharmaceuticals: Many clients have been able to safely reduce medications, lowering risks of side effects.
- Restored joy: Better appetite, more laughter, and re-engagement with daily life.
For caregivers, the impact is equally powerful:
- Peace of mind knowing their loved one is comfortable.
- Reduced stress as sleep and behaviors improve.
- Empowerment through education and safe, natural options.
The Importance of High-Quality Cannabinoid Products
One of the first things I learned on this journey is that not all cannabis and hemp-derived CBD products are created equal. If we are going to use this plant as medicine, quality matters. Products should be organically grown, third-party tested, and consistent in formulation.
I trust brands like Bloom Hemp CBD, which ship directly to clients and take the stress out of dispensary visits. Bloom Hemp CBD is women and nurse-owned, leading with quality, safety, and patient-centered care. Bloom Hemp offers organic hemp CBD products designed with symptom-targeted formulas, expertly crafted by doctors and nurses. They also provide a free nurse hotline and personalized care plans via email, ensuring comprehensive support for those who need it.
Depending on each consumer and family’s needs, I may also recommend other safe, high-quality options to ensure the best fit. In my experience, dispensaries can be overwhelming for older adults and caregivers, and they don’t always stock the same products consistently. That inconsistency can undermine progress and add unnecessary stress. By working with carefully chosen, reputable brands, families can feel confident that what they are using is safe, reliable, and truly supportive.
A Holistic Approach: Elder Bloom Wellness
Out of this passion, I launched Elder Bloom Wellness, a dedicated service line of Riverside Care Advisors. Elder Bloom integrates cannabis, aromatherapy, and functional mushrooms with holistic practices like mindful movement, breathwork, whole foods, and connection to purpose. The goal is simple but profound: to help older adults age well by reconnecting to the healing power of nature. This approach has also reignited my own joy. What began as a search for tools to ease suffering has become a mission to transform how we think about aging.
Cannabis and Dementia: What Families Should Know
Caring for a loved one with dementia is both rewarding and incredibly challenging. Families often feel overwhelmed by constant changes in mood, behavior, and memory. Sleep disruption, anxiety, and agitation are common—and they take a toll not only on the person living with dementia but also on caregivers.
Traditional approaches often rely on multiple prescriptions that can sometimes add confusion or new side effects. That’s what led me to explore natural options like cannabis and hemp CBD.
Why Cannabis and Hemp CBD?
Cannabis and hemp CBD works through the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps regulate sleep, mood, appetite, and stress response. For people with dementia, this can make a real difference.
In my work, I’ve seen cannabis and hemp CBD help to:
- Ease agitation and anxiety, creating calmer days.
- Support better sleep and reduce sundowning behaviors.
- Stimulate appetite, helping maintain nutrition and strength.
- Encourage moments of connection by reducing distress.
Cannabis and hemp CBD is not a cure, but it can offer meaningful relief and improved quality of life.
Benefits for Caregivers
When agitation decreases and sleep improves, caregivers often feel more rested and less stressed. Families tell me they finally have a safe, natural option that works—without adding another burden of prescriptions.
Safety and Guidance
Not all products are appropriate for older adults. Safety, quality, and consistency are non-negotiable. That’s why I guide families step by step, helping them select products that are effective and reliable, while also educating them on safe use.
A Call to My Colleagues
To my fellow Aging Life Care Professionals, nurses, social workers, and healthcare providers: I encourage you to explore this path. Learn about the endocannabinoid system, consider certification, and add these tools to your work. By integrating cannabis and other plant-based medicines into care, we can reduce stigma, empower families, and support older adults in new and compassionate ways. I encourage you to explore the educational programs offered by Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse. These programs provide an excellent opportunity to deepen your understanding of plant medicine and empower you to better support your clients.
This is not just about cannabis or hemp. It’s about rethinking aging, reconnecting with what brings balance, and creating a future where older adults and their caregivers can thrive—supported by both modern medicine and the wisdom of nature.
Learn more about Nurse Rhiannon Stare and her work
YouTube Interview on The Green Nurse Podcast Living Your Best LifeÂ
