Assessing pain in older people with normal, mildly impaired or severely impaired cognition

• Published in: Nursing older people Vol. 36; no. 5; pp. 35 - 42
• Main Author: Wang, Qun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London RCNi 30-09-2024
• Subjects: Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive ability; Older people; Pain; United Kingdom > UK
• ISSN: 1472-0795; 2047-8941
• DOI: 10.7748/nop.2024.e1466

Why you should read this article:• To understand the complexities of assessing pain in older people with normal, mildly impaired or severely impaired cognition• To recognise the benefits and limitations of different tools for assessing pain in older people with normal, mildly impaired or severely impaired cognition• To contribute towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD (UK readers)• To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers)Pain is a relatively common experience among older people, but unrelieved pain has significant functional, cognitive and emotional consequences for this population. A comprehensive and accurate pain assessment is essential for effective pain management. Self-report tools are suitable to assess pain in older people with normal or mildly impaired cognition, while observational tools are suitable for use with those with significant cognitive impairment or communication difficulties. However, pain assessment in older people can be challenging. The use of one tool on its own is rarely sufficient and it is crucial to involve family carers in assessment of pain in older people with severe cognitive impairment. This article discusses different tools and strategies, including the benefits and limitations, for assessing pain in older people.