With the shifting age demographics of the U.S. population,
more psychologists will be asked to provide clinical services
to older adults. Given the high prevalence of persistent
pain in aging, in many cases this will mean providing
empirically supported interventions for pain and the interference
it creates. The purpose of this review is to provide
a broad overview of the scope and impact of persistent pain
in older people and to discuss mechanisms by which persistent
geriatric pain can lead to suffering and disability.
We consider the unique context of pain in older adulthood
and review differences between older and younger people
in terms of pain perception, the social network, beliefs
about pain, pain-related coping, and adherence to pain
medication. Finally, we discuss special issues affecting
pain management in older adults, including dementia,
polypharmacy, and barriers to accessing adequate pain
care. This review also highlights a need for greater provider
training in pain management to meet the needs of a
changing U.S. population.
Keywords: pain, chronic pain, persistent pain, older adul