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The national discussion forum and community for UK Healthcare Professionals with an interest in acute, chronic, or palliative Pain Management.
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This page was last updated: January 6, 2008
Assessment of pain in older people
National guidelines
Published by the Royal College of Physicians
Editors note: The RCP has now published these guidelines, and these can be
downloaded via the links at the end of this page
Summary
Pain is so universal that its recognition should be an essential skill of all those
working with older people. It places a blight on daily life, limiting functional
ability and impairing the quality of life. The symptom manifests itself in many
ways, not only as a sensory experience but also by causing psychological
distress.
It may be difficult for some older people to articulate their pain, for example
those with dementia, some forms of stroke or Parkinson's disease.
The non-verbal manifestations of pain must be recognised and interpreted
so that the distress caused to these most vulnerable members of society
can be alleviated, and this guidance provides tools to assess pain in these groups.
The British Pain Society has worked with the British Geriatrics Society and the Royal College of Physicians to review the current evidence in the literature and to produce sound guidance to help all practitioners in assessing for the presence of pain. The guidance will be of use to all healthcare professionals working with older people including those in hospital, in the community and in care homes.
The concise guideline has been developed to provide:
•recommendations in simple and clear terms for assessing pain in all older people
recommendations in simple and clear terms for assessing pain in all older people •several types of scales that can be photocopied and used to assist in assessments, to monitor
several types of scales that can be photocopied and used to assist in assessments, to monitor progress and evaluate the effect of treatment
•an algorithm for simple implementation of the guidance.
an algorithm for simple implementation of the guidance.The guideline, with its accompanying laminated algorithm, comprises an accessible tool for assessing pain in older people. Its use in hospitals, in the community and in care homes should improve the detection of pain, thus increasing the likelihood of high-quality care for older people and reducing morbidity associated with pain.
'I fully commend this guidance, and hope that health and social practitioners will take heed and utilise it in their everyday practice.'
(From the Foreword by Professor Ian Philp, National Director for Older People)
Get you copy of the guidelines:
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