Alzheimer's Help

People with dementia are not always able to communicate that they are in pain.  Therefore, it is important for health care providers, caregivers, and friends to recognize the signs and symptoms of pain. Remember that pain is treatable and pain should be addressed if it is suspected.

What should a caregiver look for?

• Facial Expressions: Does your loved one frown or grimace, close their eyes tightly, wrinkle their brow or blink rapidly, especially in response to specific activities?
• Verbalization: Does your loved one moan, sigh, grunt, ask for help or repeat a phrase, or become abusive?
• Movement: Are they rigid or tense, fidget, rock back and forth, or do they resist movement?
• Mental Status Changes: Have they become more confused?
• Behavioral Changes: Does your loved one have changes in appetite, sleep patterns or changes in routines?  Are they combative or seem distressed? Are they more irritable?

Document when you see these changes occur.  Do the changes happen with a specific activity? Are the changes worse at night versus the morning? Do the changes get better after a specific activity such as eating or sitting in a specific position?

Bring as much information as you can to your health care provider.  They can work with you to evaluate the pain and determine a pain regimen that works for your aging loved one.