The percentage of Medicare enrollees currently in managed care plans is around 13 percent and rising. As the population ages and lives longer, the need for long term care services will increase. Determining the cost of caring for those with Alzheimer's disease will be crucial in planning for the health care needs and expenditures of the future. Cleeland, Charles S. Undertreatment of Cancer Pain in Elderly Patients. One of the most persistent and difficult clinical problems is the undertreatment of pain.
Pain management is of particular concern with cancer patients.
It is possible that the healing process is lessened because a patient wracked with pain is less likely to fight the disease. Impaired function and lessened quality of life are additional problems when pain is not controlled. Patients in minority groups and elderly patients are at an increased risk of inadequate pain management. Several factors contribute to the inadequate use of pain medication for cancer patients. These factors include inadequate training for professionals and the ability of the patient to report pain and complain if necessary.