Improving pain assessment and management for residents with dementia.
Pain is a phenomenon experienced by many older adults, with the majority reporting chronic or recurrent pain. Across the breadth of practice care settings, pain is poorly assessed and poorly managed for older patients and for those with dementia, and the pain management provided is typically even more deficient. Consultant pharmacists have the expertise to help other health care professionals do better in assessing and addressing pain in the older adult, especially those with cognitive impairment. The quality of life for elders can be greatly improved by sharing that expertise.
Ferris
Mara
M
Association for Gerontologic Education, Exeter, NH 03833, USA. mara@age-nuseconsultant.com
D000368:Aged; D003253:Consultants; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D024382:Professional Role