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Updated: May 21, 2026
06:52
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
[Pain in elderly people suffering from dementia]
1Département d'anesthésie-réanimation-douleur, Institut Curie, Paris. alicedesmouliere@hotmail.fr
Soins; La Revue De Reference Infirmiere
|June 27, 2012
Summary
Pain perception can change with age, particularly in individuals with dementia. Objective pain assessment using validated tools is crucial for effective pain management in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pain Medicine
- Neurology
Context:
- Pain prevalence significantly rises with advancing age.
- Elderly individuals, especially those with dementia, may exhibit altered pain perception, including increased pain threshold and tolerance.
- Accurate pain assessment in non-verbal or cognitively impaired patients presents a significant clinical challenge.
Purpose:
- To highlight the complexities of pain assessment in the elderly, particularly those with dementia.
- To emphasize the need for reliable methods to evaluate pain in individuals with impaired communication abilities.
- To underscore the importance of hetero-assessment (assessment by another person) in managing pain in this demographic.
Summary:
- Pain becomes more common as people age.
- In some elderly individuals with dementia, pain threshold and tolerance may increase, complicating self-reporting.
- Validated hetero-assessment tools are vital for accurately identifying and managing pain in patients with dementia.
Impact:
- Improved pain management strategies for the elderly population, especially those with cognitive impairments.
- Enhanced clinical practice through the adoption of validated pain assessment tools.
- Reduced suffering and improved quality of life for individuals with dementia experiencing pain.
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