While chronic pain can cause depression, rarely does depression cause pain. Depression can affect an elder's ability to cope with pain. Pain needs to be addressed in older persons because of the impact pain has on movement and mobility. The pain from some chronic medical conditions such as arthritis can limit the number of activities and level of activities a person will perform. The level of limitation depends on the severity of pain and the person's behavioral characteristics.
Individuals react to pain differently.
Some succumb to pain and avoid activities. Others attempt to distract themselves from the pain through involvement in activities. From the information available about the hazards of immobility, we know that pain can negatively effect a multitude of body systems. Therefore, pain needs to be assessed and treated appropriately. Pain can be treated through the use of medications.