Pain is a common problem in older adults. Chronic pain problems are estimated to affect 25-56% of older adults living in the community and 45 - 85% of those in nursing homes. Over 30% of cancer patients who are being treated for their disease experience pain and over 65% of those with progressive cancer have pain. But how is this pain being managed and treated?

 

While the leading cause of pain in older adults is osteoarthritis, other primary and secondary sources of pain are often under treated. Barriers and challenges exist in the assessment and reporting of pain that further complicate the treatment and management of symptoms. These barriers are numerous and pervasive, including a lack of education, misconceptions, attitudinal issues, fears of addiction, side effects, and a poor assessment of pain. Understanding such barriers will lead to greater understanding in the pursuit of pain and symptom management. In fact, there is significant evidence to indicate that unrelieved pain hastens death by increasing physiological stress, potentially diminishing immunocompetence, decreasing mobility and therefore increasing the possibility of embolus and pneumonia.

 

A comprehensive pain assessment for residents is the first step in reducing pain intensity and its complications. Once pain has been thoroughly assessed and a treatment plan initiated, older adults are known to experience side effects less frequently at lower medication doses. Proactive and aggressive assessments, along with management of side effects, are integral parts of good pain management.

 

There are many aspects to completing a comprehensive pain management assessment. While most care centers have some sort of assessment, chances are the assessment hasn't been followed consistently for all residents. Tools exist to help assess pain for those individuals who have differing communication and cognitive abilities.

 

If you are looking to learn more information about how to create a comprehensive pain assessment and to manage pain in your population, please turn into our upcoming audio conference on September 18, 2008.