Challenges Faced by Nurses Managing Pain among Older Adults
Ramiyah Thyagarajan, Malithya; Handapangoda Mudalige, Nadee (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202602022168
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202602022168
Tiivistelmä
Pain management among older adults remains a complex and persistent challenge within geriatric nursing practice. Multifaceted factors, including age-related physiological changes, cognitive impairment, communication barriers, and organizational constraints within healthcare settings, influence this complexity. Although nurses play a central role in pain assessment and management, they often encounter challenges that may compromise the quality and consistency of pain care provided to older adults.
The purpose of this study is to describe the challenges nurses encounter in managing pain among older adults and to identify evidence-based strategies that can enhance the quality and effectiveness of geriatric pain care. The study aims to support improvements in clinical practice and contribute to the development of more effective, patient-centered approaches to pain management in ageing populations.
A descriptive literature review methodology was adopted to investigate nurses’ experiences and perspectives related to pain management in geriatric settings. A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed and CINAHL databases. Peer-reviewed qualitative studies published between 2015 and 2025 were included based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Seven studies met the selection criteria and were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis.
The findings indicate that nurses face several interrelated challenges, including difficulties in assessing pain among cognitively impaired older adults, communication and collaboration barriers, organizational constraints such as staffing shortages, uncertainty related to pharmacological interventions, and gaps in education and professional training. Strategies identified to address these challenges included individualized and holistic care approaches, strengthened inter-professional collaboration, continuous professional development, and improved organizational support.
The findings of this review highlight the need for enhanced clinical competence, standardized assessment practices, and supportive organizational structures to improve pain management outcomes for older adults. Strengthening these areas may contribute to safer, more consistent, and person-centered pain care in geriatric nursing practice.
The purpose of this study is to describe the challenges nurses encounter in managing pain among older adults and to identify evidence-based strategies that can enhance the quality and effectiveness of geriatric pain care. The study aims to support improvements in clinical practice and contribute to the development of more effective, patient-centered approaches to pain management in ageing populations.
A descriptive literature review methodology was adopted to investigate nurses’ experiences and perspectives related to pain management in geriatric settings. A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed and CINAHL databases. Peer-reviewed qualitative studies published between 2015 and 2025 were included based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Seven studies met the selection criteria and were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis.
The findings indicate that nurses face several interrelated challenges, including difficulties in assessing pain among cognitively impaired older adults, communication and collaboration barriers, organizational constraints such as staffing shortages, uncertainty related to pharmacological interventions, and gaps in education and professional training. Strategies identified to address these challenges included individualized and holistic care approaches, strengthened inter-professional collaboration, continuous professional development, and improved organizational support.
The findings of this review highlight the need for enhanced clinical competence, standardized assessment practices, and supportive organizational structures to improve pain management outcomes for older adults. Strengthening these areas may contribute to safer, more consistent, and person-centered pain care in geriatric nursing practice.