Question

demonstrate assesment and complaint, health and pain in an elderly casulty

Answer 1

The elderly population comprises the fastest growing segment of the world's population. As patients age, the incidence and prevalence of certain pain syndromes increase. Pain may be underreported as some elderly patients incorrectly believe that pain is a normal process of aging. The number of people worldwide 65 years and older was estimated at 506 million as of 2008 and by 2040 will increase to 1.3 billion. The United States Census Bureau asserts that there were 38.9 million people 65 and older in 2008, making up 12.8% of the total population. Of this population segment, 5.7 million are 85 years old and older, and this number is growing.

The elderly are more likely to have arthritis, bone and joint disorders, cancer and other chronic disorders associated with pain.Musculoskeletal disorders such as degenerative spine and arthritic conditions are the most common cause of chronic pain in the elderly. Other common causes of significance include neuropathic pain, ischemic pain, and pain due to cancer as well as its treatment.

The treatment of pain begins with the assessment of what instigated the pain, how it can be terminated, and what management modalities are most effective for a particular patient. However, assessment is rarely that simple. Clinical manifestations of persistent pain are often complex and multifactorial in the older population. Even the perception of pain may differ from that perceived by those of less advanced years. Issues of physical accessibility to treatment, cost of drugs, the presence of coexisting illness, the use of concomitant medication, and the ability to understand the complaints of the patient who has cognitive impairment are only some of the factors that contribute to the complexity of the situation. Furthermore, the elderly patient's condition is often complicated by depression, psychosocial concerns, denial, poor health, and poor memory. Without a thorough assessment, pain that is causing severe impairment may not be revealed for an array of personal, cultural, or psychological reasons.