Chronic pain in older adults.
Despite the sophisticated pharmaceutical agents and technologies available today, many people, including older adults, continue to experience chronic pain. Inadequately treated chronic pain can seriously affect one's quality of life. Health care providers are only beginning to understand the structural and functional changes that occur in older adults with chronic pain, but recent research suggests that nurses and other health professionals need to become aware of the unique needs of older adults who live with chronic pain. When health professionals lack specific knowledge of pain management in older adults, patients may suffer needlessly.
Nursing Institute Quality and Patient Safety, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. bernhoe@ccf.org
Esther I
EI
Bernhofer
Jeanne M
JM
Sorrell
D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D003479:Curriculum; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004501:Education, Medical; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000451:nursing; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid