08/09/11

Eric Tangalos, MD, CMD, talks about how to help someone with pain get the help he/she needs.

Up to 80% of people in long term care (LTC) facilities have one or more conditions that may cause pain. Treating pain is important because it has a big impact on a person’s health and well-being.

In the LTC setting, pain is often related to arthritis or other similar problem. Nerve damage also causes pain in this population. Older people with pain from these conditions are at greater risk of falling and losing the ability to move, function, and enjoy life. Depression is another common cause of pain for elders in LTC. People with depression may complain of sleep problems, lack of appetite, and/or sadness.

There are many treatments for pain: over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, and nondrug treatments. The care team will work to find the best treatments. This may be a combination of medications and nondrug treatments such as massage, exercises, or comforting music. Even if prescription painkillers are used, the physician and staff will work together to make sure your family member/friend takes it safely.

Don’t assume that your family member/friend doesn’t have pain just because he/she doesn’t complain. There are many reasons that someone doesn’t talk about his/her pain. Some people think that they must accept pain as a part of aging, while some are afraid to take pain medications because they think they’ll get addicted. These are common myths. Others don’t want to be a burden or want to be brave. Still others may be afraid that pain means they are seriously ill or dying, so they hide it.

You should ask your family member/friend often about pain. You also can watch for signs of pain, such as eating or sleeping poorly, loss of interest in activities, behavior changes, frowning or grimacing, rubbing, and/or sighing or groaning. Whenever your family member/friend feels pain, report this right away to a nurse or other staff member. The sooner staff know about the problem, the quicker someone can respond. It is always best to have pain under control rather than respond to a new complaint.

Questions to Ask Your Physician:

• What conditions does my family member/friend have that might cause pain?

• What pain treatments might be right for my family member/friend?

• What are possible side effects of pain medications, and how can they be prevented or lessened?

What You Can Do:

• Watch for signs of pain in your family member/friend and report them right away to the nurse.

• Ask your family member/friend often about pain/discomfort.

• Let staff know about music or other things (such as petting a dog) that are comforting for your family member/friend.

For more information:

• Elders’ Stoicism Limits Pain Management: www.caringfortheages.com/index.php?id=495&cHash=071010&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=455

• Clinical Practice Guideline: PainManagement: www.amda.com/tools/guidelines.cfm#chronicpain

• Pain in the Elderly: When Someone You Love is in Pain: www.partnersagainstpain.com/pain-caregiver/elderly.aspx

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