The assessment of pain in older people: national guidelines

Authors:
ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, BRITISH GERIATRICS SOCIETY, BRITISH PAIN SOCIETY
Publisher:
Royal College of Physicians
Publication year:
2007
Pagination:
13p.
Place of publication:
London

Pain is a subjective, personal experience, and its assessment is particularly challenging in the presence of severe cognitive impairment, communication difficulties or language and cultural barriers. As a result it is often under-recognised and under-treated in older people. These guidelines form part of a series intended to inform those aspects of physicians’ clinical practice which may be outside their own specialist area and are designed to help them make rapid, informed decisions. The advice is based on synthesis of the best available evidence and expert consensus gathered from practising clinicians and service users. The guidelines set out the key components of assessing pain in older people, together with a variety of practical scales that may be used with different groups, including those with cognitive or communication impairment. The purpose is to provide professionals with a set of practical skills to assess pain as the first step towards its effective management. The guidance is relevant to all healthcare and social care staff and can be applied in a wide variety of settings, including the older person’s own home, in care homes, and in hospital.

Subject terms:
older people, pain, assessment, diagnosis;
Content type:
practice guidance
Location(s):
United Kingdom
Link:
Register/Log in to view this resource
Series name:
(Concise Guidance to Good Practice Series)
ISBN print:
978 1 86016 318 0

Key to icons

  • Free resource Free resource
  • Journal article Journal article
  • Book Book
  • Digital media Digital media
  • Journal Journal

Give us your feedback

Social Care Online continues to be developed in response to user feedback.

Contact us with your comments and for any problems using the website.

Sign up/login for more

Register/login to access resource links, advanced search and email alerts