title: Pain assessment and management strategies for elderly patients.
abstract: Home healthcare nurses play a critical role in pain assessment and management in elderly patients. People 65 years of age and older are the largest consumers of prescription and nonprescription pain medications in the United States and are at increased risk for adverse reactions and inadequate pain management. This article seeks to explore strategies to assist hospice and home healthcare nurses in assessing and managing elderly patients' pain. The goal is to provide tools to assist nurses in streamlining elderly patient care and improving quality of life while decreasing mortality and morbidity for this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Robyn MacSorley, MSN, RN, is an Instructor, School of Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi. Jill White, MSN, RN, is an Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi. Vicki H. Conerly, BSN, RN, is in Senior Management, Woman's Hospital, Flowood, Mississippi. Jean T. Walker, PhD, RN, is a Professor, School of Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi. Susan Lofton, PhD, RN, PHCNS/BC, is a Professor, School of Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi. Gaye Ragland, MSN, RNC, is an Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi. DeBrynda Davey, EdD, RN, CDVC, is a Professor, School of Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi. Amy Robertson, MS Instructional Technology, is a Graphic Designer, School of Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi.
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: MacSorley
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Vicki H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Conerly
authors.forename: Jean T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lofton
authors.forename: Gaye
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ragland
authors.forename: DeBrynda
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers; D064650:Home Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*