Nursing Assistant Monthly Copyright © 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. PAIN IN OLDER ADULTS A THREAT TO QUALITY OF LIFE September 2008

Copyright © 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. September 2008 Pain in older adults 2 Pain is a warning signal  Acute pain –Comes on suddenly and may be server  Chronic pain –May begin as acute pain –Lingers long after the usual time for healing has passed

Copyright © 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. September 2008 Pain in older adults 3 Pain and older adults  Pain is not a normal part of aging  Pain in older adults is often not recognized  Older adults with dementia often cannot report their pain  Caregivers must be alert to signs of pain, and report them to the nurse

Copyright © 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. September 2008 Pain in older adults 4 Signs of pain  Increased heart and breathing rate  Elevated blood pressure  Dilated pupils  Sweating  Anxiety, restlessness  Poor sleep, poor appetite  Depression  Withdrawn behavior  Irritability

Copyright © 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. September 2008 Pain in older adults 5 Observing for pain in residents If the resident is able to communicate  Ask: “Are you having pain or discomfort?”  If yes, ask: “How would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10?” (zero is no pain, ten is the worst pain you can imagine) If the resident cannot communicate  Watch for observable signs (see previous slide)  Watch for changes in behavior If you suspect pain, inform the nurse or another licensed staff member

Copyright © 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. September 2008 Pain in older adults 6 Your role in the treatment of pain If the resident receives pain medication  Help the nurse to assess how well it is working by: –Asking the resident –Observing for signs of pain

Copyright © 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. September 2008 Pain in older adults 7 Other pain relief measures  Helping a resident change position  Support with pillows and other positioning aids for comfort  Physical therapist or nurse can give positioning advice  Distraction (music, going for a walk, visiting with resident)  Caring touch  Back rub  Warm or cool compress (check with the nurse first)

Copyright © 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. September 2008 Pain in older adults 8 Some final thoughts  Older adults deserve to live as pain-free as possible  Suspect pain in residents who have behavior issues –Agitation, resisting care, combativeness  Your role as a caregiver is: –To ask residents about their pain –Be alert for signs of pain –Report your observations to the nurse