Pain in Older Adults

Epidemiology, Impact and Barriers to Management

¹ Centre for Advanced Studies in Nursing, Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Health Centre, Westburn Road, Aberdeen AB25 2AY, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)1224 554854; Fax: +44 (0)1224 550683; [email protected]; www.abdn.ac.uk/nursing/schofield.shtml

British Journal of Pain 1(1):p 12-14, August 2007. | DOI: 10.1177/204946370700100104

There will be increased numbers of older adults in society in the next few decades.
Older adults are more likely to have pain problems and other co-morbidities.
Generally pain is poorly managed in older adults and this becomes worse when cognitive impairment exists.
The impact of chronic pain on older adults will be greater than that of their younger counterparts in terms of social isolation.
Attitudes and barriers exist in both the older adults themselves and their younger counterparts.