Characteristics of pain and its management in the elderly

A common symptom: Pain is a common and underestimated problem in older peop le who are likely to suffer from many acute and chronic conditions. Difficult assessment: Clinical assessment of pain often depends on the pati ent's ability to communicate his or her experience. if self-assessment of p ain is not possible, behavioral hetero-evaluation instruments have been bui lt for easy pain assessment by caregivers. Adjusted pain management: As for younger patients, the most common strategy for pain management is the use of analgesic drugs. Special care should be taken however when such drugs are initiated in the elderly because increase d sensitivity prolonged drug hall-life and adverse effects and drug interac tions are more likely.