As we age, we’re more likely to have pain-related ailments, but that doesn’t mean we should accept pain as a fact of life. There are many effective pain management strategies, even though challenges exist as well.

Sometimes doctors underestimate the actual amount of pain their geriatric patients are experiencing. Seniors themselves may assume that getting older means being in more pain, and therefore it’s not worth mentioning or treating. If dementia is involved, there can be communication challenges in learning about the pain levels of the elder. 

Fortunately, family members and caregivers can use other cues to determine if their senior is in pain. Facial expressions, general demeanor, and eating routines can all be indicators to a tuned-in caregiver about the pain levels of the elder. Attending the doctor’s appointments and being an advocate can be critical in getting the message through that the senior needs more pain management options, including medications. 

With seniors who can communicate well, asking the following types of questions can be useful for identifying shifts in pain levels and the impact on their quality of life:

• How strong is your pain (right now, worst/average over the past week)?
• How many days over the past week have you been unable to do what you would like to do because of your pain?
• Over the past week, how often has pain interfered with your ability to take care of yourself, for example with bathing, eating, dressing, and going to the toilet?
• Over the past week, how often has pain interfered with your ability to take care of your home-related chores such as going grocery shopping, preparing meals, paying bills, and driving?

(see these questions and more here.)

Doctors will often try and resolve the underlying cause of the pain first. However, if that’s not possible, then they’ll move to treatments, both pharmacological and not, to treat the pain. Medication is not the only answer to managing pain. Other methods include cold and heat therapy, massage, physical therapy, mind-body techniques, and exercise. 

Being an advocate or helping your elder advocate for themselves is the first step in finding the right pain management options with the help of their physician(s).

Being an advocate or helping your elder advocate for themselves is the first step in finding the right pain management options with the help of their physician(s).