Journal article
Older Adults' Perspectives on Deprescribing and Non-Pharmacological Pain Management in the Deep South
Journal of applied gerontology
12/24/2025
DOI: 10.1177/07334648251411577
PMCID: PMC12819076
PMID: 41441976
Abstract
Most older adults in the US live with multiple chronic conditions, and over one-third experience chronic pain. Risks associated with polypharmacy have led to growing interest in "deprescribing," or reducing potentially harmful medications, in favor of non-pharmacological pain management. This qualitative study explored the views toward deprescribing among community-dwelling older adults (aged 65+) in Alabama with chronic pain, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy. Thirty-four participants completed in-depth telephone interviews. Thematic analysis identified facilitators to deprescribing: interest in holistic care, concerns about long-term side effects, and a desire for better quality of life; barriers: fear of worsening pain, reluctance to change established regimens, and limited provider support; and needs for credible information and social support. Findings highlight the role of education, provider engagement, and access to resources in supporting informed decisions. Tailoring these strategies to underserved settings such as the Deep South may reduce medication-related harms and improve pain management for older adults.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Older Adults' Perspectives on Deprescribing and Non-Pharmacological Pain Management in the Deep South
- Creators
- Hyunjin Noh - University of AlabamaHaelim Jeong - University of IowaDenise Kan - University of AlabamaPeiyuan Zhang - University of AlabamaLewis H Lee - University of Alabama
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of applied gerontology
- DOI
- 10.1177/07334648251411577
- PMID
- 41441976
- PMCID
- PMC12819076
- NLM abbreviation
- J Appl Gerontol
- ISSN
- 1552-4523
- eISSN
- 1552-4523
- Publisher
- Sage
- Grant note
- The U.S. Deprescribing Research Network Pilot Award (National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health): R24AG064025
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was funded by The U.S. Deprescribing Research Network Pilot Award (R24AG064025, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health).
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 12/24/2025
- Academic Unit
- School of Social Work; Center for Social Science Innovation
- Record Identifier
- 9985096886802771
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