Making pain relief a priority ... dispelling the myths about pain and pain management in the older adult.
JoAnne Reifsnyder, Thomas Jefferson University

DATE: November 2005
SOURCE: Assisted Living Consult, 1(6):40-42, 2005.
RELATED URL: http://www.assistedlivingconsult.com/issues/01-06/ALC1-6_Legal.pdf

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ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT:
This article is freely accessible from the publisher's website.

ABSTRACT:
Despite advances in the assessment and management of persistent pain, clinicians commonly under-appreciate and, as a result, under-treat pain in older adults. Seniors residing in assisted living or long term care settings are especially vulnerable to pain undertreatment. In fact, it has been reported that up to 80% of nursing home residents have significant pain. In ALFs, where residents generally are more independent and less rigorously monitored, the incidence of untreated pain is likely to be high as well. Additionally, there is a high incidence of dementia, cognitive impairment of some degree, and other disabilities that limit residents’ ability to self-report pain.