Many older adults experience some type of persistent pain.  When this pain is left unaddressed, it can affect an older adult’s quality of life and may lead to decreased mobility, decreased social interaction, and depression.  Yet, it has been reported by the American Medical Association (AMA) that 25% to 50% of community-dwelling seniors have pain that interferes with their ability to deal with daily functions, and 59 - 80% of nursing home residents experience persistent pain (AMA: Pain Management: Assessing and Treating Pain in Older Adults, 2005).

Why is pain not addressed adequately? Many older adults are reluctant to report pain fearing additional tests and/or bills that they cannot pay.  Also, they want to be seen as "good patients" or do not want to waste the health care professional's time with complaints about pain.

For caregivers helping their aging loved ones, it is important to help the older adult understand that they need to report their pain and deserve to have their pain controlled.  One way for older adults to communicate with physicians is to keep a pain journal and track the following:  When they experience pain; how long it lasts; whether it is a burning pain, a stabbing pain, or an aching pain; whether it happens with movement; what makes the pain better or worse; and what activities, if any, the pain keeps the older adult from participating in.

For more information, you can contact the National Pain Foundation or the American Pain Society.