Interventions for pain in patients with dementia

Abstract

For residents with dementia living in nursing homes, pain was the most common problem and a major source of concern. A lot of research has been done recently on pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic pain management techniques for dementia patients. The aim of this study was to compile and contrast evidence-based treatments for pain management in dementia residents that have been shown to be effective in studies and are applicable to nursing homes. Data were gathered from Epistemonikos, Access, and Pubmed which was based on a survey of the literature. It was based on a bachelor's thesis in TAMK diary style that required 40 work days and analysis every one to two weeks.

The findings demonstrated that pharmacologic interventions, such as analgesics, are more successful at reducing pain in people with dementia. In nursing homes, they were the first-line medications. On the other hand, a non-pharmacologic intervention can include physical activity, social interaction, and relaxation therapy. Currently, it was no longer used in nursing homes, and other methods were seldom utilized. Further research is therefore advised and required for use in the future that will benefit the said demographic and eventually assist those providing care to make therapy more effective and attainable.