Pain management in older adults

As our populations age healthcare professionals in most areas of practice will increasingly deal with older people and the health problems they present. One such problem is pain, but at the moment, the assessment and management of pain in this age group are poorly practised, particularly in those with dementia. The limited evidence base for many treatments and the concurrence of co-morbidities that complicate the use of many pharmacological treatments provide additional challenges. This paper will discuss the current recommendations regarding the assessment and management of pain, and suggest areas where research needs to be carried out.