Multidisciplinary Assessment and Treatment of Pain in Older Persons

The successful treatment of chronic pain in older people requires meticulous diagnosis and a comprehensive assessment of pain, suffering, and disability. At a minimum, multidisciplinary assessment requires practitioners that are able to assess psychologic, medical, and physical factors that could affect the older person's ability to cope with pain. An integrated and tailored management program may include pharmacologic and other medical interventions, psychologic strategies, as well as physical and occupational therapies. In cases where conventional treatment efforts fail, multidisciplinary pain management clinics for older persons have been shown to be effective. Age should not be regarded as a barrier to effective pain management.