Chronic pain can cause functional loss and social withdrawal. Chronic, nonmalignant pain is closely linked to depression. Studies have demonstrated the connection between chronic pain and changes in mood and behavior. Often, patients possess a compromised ability to express the fact that they are in pain, explain where their pain is, and communicate the intensity of their pain. The decreased cognitive level of elderly patients will affect their ability to understand the assessment instructions and communicate pain to the health care professional.
Nurses normally report levels of pain to the physician when asking for pain medications.
Many caregivers will have misconceptions about the residents' ability to benefit from the treatment of pain, and therefore will not adequately communicate the level of pain the patient has. Even when pain is accurately reported, barriers to treatment remain. Mr. Martin explained that many physicians are overly conservative when dispensing pain medication due to misplaced fears about side effects. This fear can lead to inadequate treatment. Many physicians take extra care, sometimes too much care, to avoid the medication side effects.