Untreated pain an issue for older Australians

Chronic pain can affect a person’s ability to function and negatively impact their wellbeing.

Although a significant number of older Australians regularly experience pain, it often goes unmanaged.

“Older people have the highest rate of pain, which is experienced by about one in five Australians aged 65-84 and one quarter of those over 85,” Professor Judy Lowthian – head of research at the Bolton Clarke Research Institute – said.

However, Professor Lowthian added that older people can often be under-treated for pain because of misconceptions about getting older. “They might feel it’s a natural part of ageing or that they’re being a nuisance,” she said.

Bolton Clarke researchers recently conducted the institute’s biennial retirement living health and wellbeing survey, which found 54 per cent of residents experienced pain at least one day a week while 30 per cent on five or more days a week. Almost 40 per cent of respondents experienced moderate or extreme pain or discomfort.

Chronic pain is complex and each person experiences it differently. According to national advocacy organisation Pain Australia, it can:

  • be a symptom of a disease, or it can be a stand-alone condition
  • occur anywhere in the body, or multiple areas
  • involve several forms of pain, or just one
  • can be daily, or recurrent.

Untreated or poorly treated pain can affect a person’s ability to function and negatively impact their emotional and psychological wellbeing and, ultimately, their quality of life. Pain also interferes with a person’s daily activities, increasing the risk of frailty and loneliness.

Professor Judy Lowthian

The good news is action can be taken. “Pain is experienced differently by everyone and because many things affect it lots can be done to change it,” Professor Lowthian said. “It’s more than a physical feeling and is influenced by sleep, exercise, general health, attitudes, beliefs, mood, environment, and the people around you.”

She added it’s critical that care providers recognise and respond to a person’s subjective experience of pain, especially if they’re unable to vocalise their discomfort.

“We need to recognise that cognitive impairment may prevent older people from reporting pain,” Professor Lowthian said.

Pain Australia estimates that 80 per cent of aged care residents have chronic pain, and over half live with dementia. “While some people may be able to report and discuss their pain, others may be unable to tell us about it and may express pain through changes in behaviour and body language,” Professor Lowthian said.

Bolton Clarke’s survey results have been released to coincide with National Pain Week – 22-28 July. National Pain Week aims to address the barriers that exist for about 3.6 million Australians who regularly experience chronic pain.

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