PAIN MANAGEMENT IN OLDER ADULTS

• Main Authors: Marija Godec, Helena Omejc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovenian Medical Association 2004-10-01
• Series: Zdravniški Vestnik
• Subjects: pain in elderly; pain assessment; sources of pain; pain treatment
• Online Access: http://vestnik.szd.si/index.php/ZdravVest/article/view/2368

Background. Pain in the elderly is an important problem for geriatric patients and also for their relatives and nursing staff. Untreated pain that interferes with ability to function normally means many accompanying changes and adverse reactions in older people. Effective pain management depends on adequate assessment of pain which can be very difficult in patients with cognitive impairment. Fear against adverse drug effects shoud not be a reason for inadequate pain management. In pain treatment we have to consider altered physiologic functions in elderly, physiologic status, possible drug interactions, and social and cognitive status of the patients. Pain itself is not a normal part of aging; clinicians and also old people have to be aware about this. Adequate pain treatment in elderly is regarded as an important improvement in the quality of life.<br /><br />