Population-Focused Approaches for Proactive Chronic Pain Management in Older Adults

Chronic pain, and the ethical management thereof, is the single most imperative health issue of this decade. Although a growing majority of individuals with chronic pain are middle-aged, the largest proportion of sufferers are older adults. Shifting tides in practice and research have led to population-focused approaches to pain management; however, the practice of many healthcare providers remains reactive and individualistic, limiting the discovery and implementation of long-term solutions for pain management in older adults. Yet, nurses and other health professionals have an opportune position to provide expert pain care by proactively providing evidence-based care for patients systematically. The purpose of this article is to stimulate discussion on three paradigms important to population-focused pain management: (1) prevention; (2) restoration and rehabilitation; and (3) palliation, which are in line with current national policy initiatives for improving patients' care experience, improving overall health and quality of life, and reducing associated health care costs.