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Pain in the elderly hospice patient
M T Hofmann1, C U Farnon, A Javed
1Department of Internal Medicine, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care
|November 10, 1998
Summary
Effective pain management in elderly hospice patients is crucial. Understanding age-related physiological and pharmacokinetic changes helps clinicians safely treat pain while minimizing side effects.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Palliative Care
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Pain management in elderly hospice patients is a complex clinical challenge.
- Physiological changes associated with aging can complicate pain assessment and treatment.
- Elderly patients with pain are frequently undertreated, despite available effective therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of addressing pain in elderly hospice patients.
- To emphasize the need for specialized knowledge in managing pain in this population.
- To guide clinicians in safely and effectively treating pain while minimizing adverse effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of physiological changes in the elderly.
- Analysis of age-related pharmacokinetic alterations.
- Discussion of clinical strategies for pain management in hospice.
Main Results:
- Pain in elderly hospice patients is often inadequately managed.
- Effective and safe pain management is achievable with appropriate knowledge.
- Understanding aging-related changes is key to successful treatment.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians and hospice teams require knowledge of aging physiology and pharmacokinetics.
- This knowledge facilitates effective pain management and reduces side effects.
- Optimizing pain control improves patient and family well-being in hospice care.