Pain in the elderly hospice patient.
Pain in the elderly hospice patient presents a complex clinical problem that requires special attention because of the multiple physiologic changes in the older patient. Pain in the elderly is often under-treated despite the fact that this pain can be managed effectively and safely. A basic knowledge of the physiologic changes of aging, as well as the changes in pharmacokinetics, can help the clinician and the hospice team treat pain effectively while minimizing side effects for the patient and the family.
Hofmann
M T
MT
Department of Internal Medicine, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Farnon
C U
CU
Javed
A
A
Posner
J D
JD
D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal