Next, move on to “Expectations and emotions”.
Expectations and emotions
Determine realistic expectations and goals for the patient:
• If the patient can self-report, ask, “What are your expectations for pain relief?”
• Develop a comfort-functionmood goal by determining acceptable pain levels
and goals for daily functional activity and mood improvement or maintenance.
Know that zero pain may not be a realistic goal.
• If the frail elder is unable to develop a comfort-function-mood goal, engage family
and other caregivers to help develop this goal.
• Recognize that frail elders are at greater risk for declining psychosocial function,
so evaluating and maintaining or improving mood are important goals.
Many frail elders experience depression and anxiety, both of which can exacerbate pain.
On the other hand, depression may prevent some frail elders from reporting pain.
• Ask simple questions to elicit information about mood, in addition to using a valid assessment
scale, such as the Geriatric Depression Scale (available at hart fordign.org).
If the frail elder is unable to answer questions due to dementia,
you can use a standardized tool, such as the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia.
Next, move on to “Expectations and emotions”.Expectations and emotionsDetermine realistic expectations and goals for the patient:• If the patient can self-report, ask, “What are your expectations for pain relief?”• Develop a comfort-functionmood goal by determining acceptable pain levels and goals for daily functional activity and mood improvement or maintenance.Know that zero pain may not be a realistic goal.• If the frail elder is unable to develop a comfort-function-mood goal, engage family and other caregivers to help develop this goal.• Recognize that frail elders are at greater risk for declining psychosocial function,so evaluating and maintaining or improving mood are important goals. Many frail elders experience depression and anxiety, both of which can exacerbate pain. On the other hand, depression may prevent some frail elders from reporting pain.• Ask simple questions to elicit information about mood, in addition to using a valid assessmentscale, such as the Geriatric Depression Scale (available at hart fordign.org). If the frail elder is unable to answer questions due to dementia, you can use a standardized tool, such as the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia.
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