THE IMPACT OF DEMENTIA ON THE PAIN EXPERIENCE

Advancing age is associated with an increased risk of illness. Investi gating the influence of ageing on the experience of pain must take acc ount of this association, as well as the impact of past experience of life. Dementia, which is almost exclusively restricted to older people , is an illness where the effects of past experience and future life a nticipation are severely curtailed, The influence of dementia on the e xperience of pain has received little attention and many questions rem ain unanswered. This review draws upon this literature to describe cur rent knowledge of the area. Suggestions for further research are made.