Open Access
Intervene
Fostering a pain-vigilant culture in residential care.
“Nobody wants to be in pain. Unfortunately, people with dementia often can’t tell us when they are experiencing pain.”
The HammondCare Dementia Centre research team worked with staff at four residential care sites in Australia to critique approaches to pain management and to co-create strategies for improvement. The project was funded through the Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre
Pain which is mismanaged or poorly understood is a major issue in the care of older people and people with dementia. Too often pain is not recognised as a factor affecting an older person’s quality of life, or dismissed lightly if it is. The situation is even more concerning for people with dementia, especially those who can no longer speak about their pain needs.
Our research identified that staff communication, limited interdisciplinary collaboration and inconsistent use of assessment tools were barriers to evidence-based pain management in residential care services.
You can find out more about Intervene here: https://www.dementiacentre.com/programs/intervene
“Pain is everyone’s business. So if you observe a change, consider pain.”
