Pain control

1. There is a need for more data about the epidemiological nature of pain in older adults. Some evidence suggests that pain is a prevalent but under-reported symptom in this age group. 2. Some experimental studies have suggested that older adults have a different criteria for labeling a stimulus as painful. It is also likely that older adults attribute certain symptoms to aging, and this influences the coping responses to the symptoms. 3. The clinical presentation of pain in older adults may be modified by the presence of multiple diseases super-imposed on the aging process. 4. Effective pharmacological management of pain should consider the older adult's increased susceptibility to troublesome side effects, medication interactions, and low dose toxicity. 5. Nonpharmacological approaches such as an exercise program help improve functional ability as well as assist the individual to cope and live with the pain.