Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Pain Assessment and Management Considerations for Older Adult

  • The older adult may experience communication challenges associated with:
    • Under reporting of pain,
    • Speaking a different language, and
    • Communication barriers (aphasia, cognitive impairments such as dementia, visual and hearing impairments).
  • When planning pharmacological interventions, the impact of age-related changes such as co- morbidities, co-existent diseases and use of multiple medications must be considered, as they put the older adult at high risk for medication-related adverse events.
Clinical Management
Assessment and Management of Pain - 3rd Edition
Point of Care Resources