VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — For years, Lydia Anderson has been plagued by pain. "I have an inflammatory skin disease, so basically, I'll wake up and it feels like my skin is bruised all over and it just doesn't make for a good day," Anderson said. She often took steroids but didn't like the risks and side effects. In her job as a nurse at Westminster-Canterbury on the Chesapeake Bay, Anderson witnessed some patients ditching prescribed medications after finding success with CBD products and the guidance of Cannability Consulting, LLC. Cannability Consulting began as a way to help residents in the senior living community navigate through the weeds of hemp-derived products. As cannabis products are readily available, some seniors were experimenting with them on their own, but with a lack of government regulation on these products, that can be dangerous. "Just because it's for sale does not make it safe," said Alexis Hill, doctor of nursing practice for Cannability Consulting. Hill and Dr. Victoria Crenshaw, a geropsychologist, started cannabis consulting with residents at Westminster Canterbury on the Chesapeake Bay a year ago. They have consulted with about 200 patients so far, and report 97% have found improvement in at least one of their symptoms, be it pain control, better sleep or reduced anxiety. "That's attributed to that low and slow approach," Hill said. "And the that ongoing support to guide them with any changes in the future." The program showed so much success that Westminister-Canterbury CEO Benjamin Unkle Jr. signed on to make it a subsidiary business, which is now available to anyone over age 21. "So hopefully by us going first, we will make it more comfortable for other senior living organizations who are calling us, wanting help to do the same thing," Unkle said. The use of CBD products among residents may be controversial, but Unkle said that, after consulting with their physicians, they and he are convinced by the proof and are confident in the program. Unkle said CBD use is safer under the watch of experts who help eliminate drug interactions and use consistent products that provide the right dose for each person. "It helps you just relieve that pain and be able to function through the day without having to think about that or worry about that," Anderson said. Hill said only 2% of patients experienced mild short-term side effects. The consulting services are not covered by insurance and cost $250, which includes an initial consultation and follow up conversations while they make any adjustments to the dosages.