Pain in older adults: A brief clinical guide

Pain affects people of all ages with epidemiological studies reporting exceedingly high prevalence rates of pain in general community samples and even higher rates in institutional settings. Psychosocial interventions are normally offered either within the context of interdisciplinary treatment or in combination with other treatment modalities such as physiotherapy or pharmacological treatment. Several psychosocial pain management interventions have shown considerable initial promise with older adults although more research needed in this area. Pharmacological therapies for pain management are used, often in conjunction with non-pharmacologic modalities, when pain and functional limitations persist despite trials of other modalities. Non-pharmacological approaches may suffice for mild or mild-to-moderate pain. Research with seniors with dementia, who reside in long-term care facilities, has supported the view that the use of regular and routine pain assessment leads to improved pain management practices.