Pain management in cognitively impaired and frail older people

Synopsis

The ageing of the population will result in larger numbers of people with common age-related conditions such as frailty, dementia and chronic pain. Frail older people and those with dementia are among the most vulnerable; yet pain often remains under reported, under assessed and undertreated in this group. There is often no evidence on which to base management decisions especially when these common conditions coexist. Under these circumstances, we are left to rely on studies undertaken in younger and healthier subjects together with our clinical experience and judgment in making treatment decisions.

The workshop will focus on the impact of cognitive impairment and frailty on the presentation, assessment and management of pain in older people.