Worldwide, an increasing number of older patients are being treated in intensive care units (ICU) (Merlani et al. 2007, Roch et al. 2011). The combination of acute critical illness, multiple comorbidities, age-related changes and the ICU environment (Menaker & Scalea 2010) contributes to the vulnerability of critically ill older patients who are con- sequently at an increased risk for negative outcomes (Happ 2010). Most patients hospitalised in ICUs will experience pain, and identify pain, anxiety and agitation as major sources of distress (Jaber et al. 2005, Chanques et al. 2006, Breckenridge et al. 2014). Evidence shows that in general, ICU patients experience significant disability and pain for many months following ICU discharge (Cuthbertson et al. 2010, Battle et al. 2013). Only a few studies have focused on older patients and the long-term consequences of dis- tressing experiences, such as pain, anxiety and agitation during and after an ICU stay.