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Simona Combi
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Jan. 13, 2026, Arlington, Virginia—A study conducted by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), the national voice for every person’s right to age well, found that a 6-week, low-cost program on safe ways to reduce pain helped older adults manage their pain more effectively and increased their self-reported health and well-being.  

“Assessing a Peer-Led Pain and Wellness Self-management Program with Older Adults,” published in the journal Innovations in Aging, was co-authored by NCOA’s Dorothea Vafiadis and Gretchen Tanbonliong, among others. 

Key Findings 

In a study of program participants, older adults reported: 

• Reduced daily pain levels 

• Improved health and emotional well-being 

• Adoption of self-management behaviors, including stretching, relaxation, and coping practices 

• Better knowledge and safe use of over-the-counter medication  

• Increased consultations with pharmacists and health care providers 

Chronic pain is among the most commonly experienced conditions worldwide, and it often increases and intensifies with age. Chronic pain among adults 50 years and older is associated with suffering, disability, and social isolation. Pharmacologic treatment is usually only partially effective and is often limited by side effects. 

NCOA developed the Self-Management Curriculum for Wellness and Pain Relief to educate older adults on how to safely use over-the-counter pain medicine, talk with pharmacists and doctors about pain, and manage stress and emotions using relaxation and coping skills. The program is peer-led, inexpensive, and flexible, making it well-positioned to be used widely in senior centers, community health programs, and virtual aging-services platforms. 

“We are very excited to see a tangible improvement in people’s quality of life after participating in this program,” said Dorothea Vafiadis, Senior Director of NCOA's Center for Healthy Aging. “Living with less pain is crucial for maintaining independence and being able to enjoy life. We would love to see this adopted widely, so more people can find ways to reduce their pain.” 

This program and research were made possible through a collaborative partnership with Kenvue, a leading consumer health company. NCOA's partnership with Kenvue exemplifies how corporate collaboration can drive innovation and tangible improvements in the lives of older adults. 

About NCOA  
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more at www.ncoa.org and @NCOAging.