Why is there a growing need for pain management in elder population

Why is there a growing need for pain management in elder population?

Traditionally, pain was believed to be an inevitable consequence of aging; however, this thought process has changed. Currently, pain in the elder population often remains undiagnosed and undertreated—50% of older patients in the community and 80% of nursing home residents report chronic daily pain.

In addition, undiagnosed chronic pain in the elderly has significant social and financial impacts. This is due to chronic pain being a multidimensional syndrome with physical, psychological, and social consequences. Lack of diagnosis and treatment leads to impaired activities of daily living (ADLs), decrease in ambulation, falls, malnutrition, increased risk of frailty, and mood/cognitive changes.

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