Pain Assessment in Older Adults

Abstract

Pain is a common experience for many older adults. Significant efforts have been undertaken to address and improve the assessment of pain in older adults over the past 2 decades. There have been many empirical studies and several expert panel statements to guide health care providers in the best practices for assessing pain in this population. This article provides a conceptual model that summarizes causes and consequences of pain and highlights the relationship between acute and persistent pain. Recommendations for pain assessment tools, including those developed for use in cognitively impaired elders, are presented.

Keywords: Barriers; Cognitive impairment; Older adults; Pain; Pain management.