In-Service Topic: "Pain: The Hidden Driver of Dementia Behavior"

Pain in older adults is very often undertreated, and it may be especially so in older adults with MCI and dementia. Changes in a person's ability to perceive, identify, and communicate verbally present special challenges in treating pain, since self-report is considered the gold standard of pain assessment. As with all older adults, those with dementia are at risk for multiple sources and types of pain, including chronic pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis and acute pain from surgery, injury, and infection. Untreated pain in cognitively impaired older adults can delay healing, disturb sleep and activity patterns, reduce function, reduce quality of life, and prolong hospitalization.

The following presentation is one of a series of in-services provided by the Avila Institute of Gerontology to keep member organizations informed on topics related to aging and behavior. In this in-service, we will explore sources of pain, behavioral indications of pain, assessment options, treatment options, and alternative steps and approaches to minimize pain and behavior.

This ready-to-teach in-service kit includes everything you need to deliver a 25-minute in-service:

• A recorded video of the in-service (internet access required)
• Lesson Plan (PDF), Presentation slides, and script (Microsoft PowerPoint File)
• Presentation handout as slides and notes (PDF)
• 4-page summary of presentation (PDF)
• Pre-test (PDF)
• 4 post-tests with 5 questions each and answer key (PDF)
• Follow-up (PDF)
• Certificate Template (PDF)