Chronic pain is one of the most common health challenges facing older adults and a leading cause of disability later in life. Pain can limit movement, disrupt sleep, and make everyday activities, such as cooking, walking, or socializing, feel overwhelming. Over time, unmanaged pain can also increase isolation and reduce quality of life.

NCOA is addressing this need through the Wellness and Pain Relief Program (NCWPR). This peer-led, evidence-informed program empowers older adults with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to manage pain and support overall well-being.

A peer-led, community-based program

The NCWPR is a six-week workshop, made up of weekly 90-minute sessions. It can be offered in person or online, making it accessible to older adults with transportation, mobility, or geographic barriers. The program is led by trained peer facilitators, often older adults who understand firsthand what it means to live with pain. The training takes place asynchronously.

Living with chronic pain can feel isolating, especially when others don’t fully understand what it’s like. As one widely shared reflection puts it, “The greatest pain is to feel alone in your pain.”  This peer-led approach helps create a supportive environment where participants feel comfortable sharing experiences, learning from one another, and recognizing that they are not alone. Rather than replacing medical care, the program complements it by helping participants become informed, confident partners in their own health.

A whole-person approach to pain

The Wellness and Pain Relief Program emphasizes that pain management works best when it addresses the whole person. While medications may play a role, especially in the short term, relying on them alone can increase risks such as falls, stomach problems, or drug interactions.

Instead, the program encourages participants to explore a wide range of strategies that support physical, mental, and emotional health. These strategies reflect the many pain management practices and therapies evaluated in recent research on the program.

Pain management practices and therapies addressed in the program

Mental health options
Participants are introduced to approaches that support emotional well-being and coping with pain, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), music therapy, distraction techniques, and relaxation-based strategies. These approaches can help reduce stress and improve mood.

Medical and professional services
The program highlights services that may support pain relief and function, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic or spinal manipulation, heating and cooling, swimming or water aerobics, and other guided movement or rehabilitation options.

Alternative and complementary practices
Participants learn about practices such as meditation and mindfulness, yoga, Tai Chi or Qigong, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques. These approaches can help improve balance, flexibility, and overall comfort while supporting long-term wellness.

Prevention and healthy living behaviors
The curriculum reinforces the importance of everyday behaviors that can reduce pain over time, including regular physical activity, stretching, maintaining a healthy weight, improving sleep quality, and limiting alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine.

Pain management and consultation
A strong focus is placed on medication safety and informed decision-making. Participants learn about talking with pharmacists, changing how OTC medications are used, cleaning out old or expired medications, meeting with health care providers about pain, using topical therapies like creams or gels, and understanding the risks of products such as cannabis.

Self-management and social support
Finally, the program emphasizes the value of self-management and connection. Participants are encouraged to join pain support groups, talk openly with friends and family about pain, track progress toward pain management goals, and build confidence in managing pain day to day.

Evidence of impact

A 2025 study published in Innovation in Aging evaluated the NCWPR with 90 older adults who reported regular pain that interfered with daily activities. Participants completed surveys before the program, after it, and again six weeks later.

The results were encouraging. After completing the program, participants showed significant increases in engagement across many pain-management practices, particularly in medication safety behaviors. Many reported talking with pharmacists as trusted resources and changing how they used OTC pain relievers, to ensure correct dosing. Importantly, many of these improvements were still present six weeks later, suggesting a lasting impact.

Participants also reported better overall pain management, clearer goal-setting, and increased confidence in their ability to manage pain effectively.

Why this matters

More than 11,000 people in the United States turn 65 every day, and many will experience chronic pain that affects independence and daily life. Clinical care alone cannot meet this growing need.

Community-based, peer-led programs like the Wellness and Pain Relief Program play a critical role in supporting healthy aging. By providing clear information, practical tools, and social connection, the program helps older adults feel more in control of their health, clarify how to understand over-the-counter medicines, reduce reliance on medications alone, and remain engaged in their communities.  As communities look for scalable, affordable solutions to support an aging population, NCOA’s Wellness and Pain Relief Program offers a proven, people-centered way forward—one that promotes safety, confidence, and better quality of life for older adults.

Pain management education resources

These pain management resources for aging services professionals include a patient handout for older adults to share with their health care provider and videos (in English and Spanish) that give a great overview on getting the most of a pharmacy visit.

• Patient Handout: Key Information to Share with Your Doctor When You Have New Pain
• Video: How to Make the Most of Your Pharmacy Visit

• Video: Cómo Aprovechar al Máximo Su Visita a la Farmacia