Q: Why is it important to consider the
mental health aspects of pain in
older adults?
Hemmenway: Chronic pain affects far more than the body. It
can disrupt sleep, relationships, independence,
mood and overall quality of life. For many
older adults, pain can also lead to feelings
of isolation, stress, anxiety or depression,
especially if it limits the activities they enjoy or
their ability to connect with others.
Addressing mental health is not about
questioning someone’s pain. It’s about
recognizing that chronic pain impacts the
whole person. When emotional well-being is
acknowledged alongside physical symptoms,
people are better supported and often better
equipped to manage the challenges of living
with pain.
Q: How can emotional support, such as
counseling, improve pain management
outcomes?
Hemmenway: Pain management is rarely
one-size-fits-all,
as there is no single solution for chronic pain.
The most effective approaches often combine
medical care with movement, education,
emotional support, self-management
strategies and community resources.
Acknowledging emotional support as a key
aspect of pain management can help validate
and address the all-encompassing scope
of the pain experience. When emotional
health is treated as an essential part of pain
management, people are often better able to
participate in their care and maintain a higher
quality of life.
Q: What role can social engagement play
in managing pain?
Hemmenway: One of the things we hear
most often from people living with chronic pain
is that they feel alone. Pain can be incredibly
isolating. Social connection can make a
meaningful difference—whether it’s spending
time with family and friends, participating in
community activities or joining a peer support
group. Feeling understood and connected can
improve emotional well-being and help people
navigate the daily challenges of chronic pain.
Peer support is especially powerful because
it connects people with others who truly
understand what they’re experiencing.
Q: How can a Group Medicare Advantage
plan help older adults manage their
chronic pain?
Hemmenway: Access to comprehensive
care is one of the biggest challenges for people
living with chronic pain. Health plans can
play an important role by helping individuals
access multidisciplinary care, behavioral health
services, physical activity programs, medication
management and community-based resources.
Chronic pain is a complex disease that affects
every aspect of a person’s life—not just their
physical health. When health plans support
whole-person care, they help individuals address
the physical, emotional and social impacts of
pain. Having such coverage allows individuals to
engage with a broad range of treatments and
resources, improves health outcomes and helps
them live meaningful lives despite pain.
