Pain management in the elderly

Abstract

As the overall population ages and patients continue to live longer, managing pain in the elderly in the USA will be more frequently encountered in clinical settings. While common in older patients, pain is not a normal part of aging, and treatments should be offered as they would be in young patients. Low back pain, osteoarthritis, postherpetic neuralgia and cancer pain are frequently experienced by patients with advanced age. A number of interactive and observational pain assessment tools are available to assess pain in patients with and without barriers to communication. Management of the psychosocial aspects of chronic pain, through cognitive–behavioral therapy or other modalities, is essential. Treatments must take into account the physiologic changes and comorbid conditions that accompany aging. Future care will likely resemble models for the patient-centered medical home.