Pain Management

I went to a lecture last night on pain management. It focussed mostly on palliative care. But it was very evident that the speaker was aware of how pain is managed, or not, in care facilities. I imagine it is the same how pain in the elderly is managed in the community.

Pain management is probably highly undertreated or mistreated, if not un- or misdiagnosed in care facilities.

Pain is complex. It is psychological, physical, cultural.

Treatment is changing, improving. Knowledge is increasing. Techniques are different than even a few years ago.

The problem is the knowledge gap-- that space between where things are discovered, used, and evaluated, and then become the new standard, and the spreading and use of that standard among those whose professional responsibilities include utilizing that knowledge.

So what do you do? Like everything else, if you are a caregiver: define the problem, and find the solutions that are available, and then advocate for them.

If you are unable to, that is what a Geriatric Care Manager does--we advocate, and problem solve. We are there when you are not, or supporting you when you are. Senior Care, Eldercare, whatever you call it--that is our expertise.

O.K. so the last paragraph was an advertisement. I prefer to think of it as "product placement. " Why not? It works for Coca-Cola. (Was that more product placement? )