Braving Chronic Pain in Seniors

Having to put up with constant and sometimes crippling pain can cause seniors to withdraw from their activities and relationships, to the point of no longer participating in parts of their lives that are satisfying and enjoyable.

Many older people simply accept pain as part of aging and do not seek support or treatment. It is therefore important that caregivers and family members remain attentive to changes in behavior in order to recognize situations of chronic pain and to encourage seniors to act before the pain becomes too great.

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What is chronic pain?

Chronic pain, as opposed to acute pain, is pain that lasts for an extended period of time. This type of stubborn pain often stems from an underlying chronic health problem, but there are circumstances in which no specific cause of pain can be found. In these cases, chronic pain is described as a disease in itself.

Chronic pain can be overwhelming. It can seem like it's taking over the life of a senior, but there are strategies and behaviors that can help with pain relief.

Signs of chronic pain

Many older people simply accept pain as part of the aging process. They are just trying to endure it rather than seeking help. However, it is important for seniors to talk to a healthcare professional when they are suffering from chronic pain. This professional can try to find the underlying causes in order to deal with them before the situation worsens.

Here are some clues that caregivers and loved ones can look out for that may indicate that an older person is struggling with chronic pain:

clenched fists;

grimaces or moans that accompany movement;

reduced appetite;

jerky movements;

sleep disturbances;

the fact of not joining various activities because of the movements they involve.

Everyone reacts to pain differently. Thus, the above list is neither exhaustive nor complete.

Chronic pain and mental health

Studies have shown that there is an important link between pain and depression because the experience of pain leads to negative emotions. Depression itself has also been shown to intensify the sensation of pain, creating a vicious cycle of chronic pain and depression that simultaneously impacts the physical and mental health of seniors.

Managing chronic pain

Due to its nature, chronic pain and its effects do not go away over time. To truly cope with chronic pain and learn to continue living a comfortable and happy life despite it, seniors need to make informed decisions and employ a variety of tools and strategies.

Here are some steps seniors can take to help with chronic pain:

No to seclusion. Feelings of isolation fuel depression and other mental health issues; it is therefore important that the elderly maintain social contacts, that they do not let pain force them to isolate themselves.

Find distractions. It can be helpful to find distractions that help focus your attention on something pleasant rather than the pain.

A little movement. Gentle, gentle exercise can help relieve pain and maintain mobility. It's good to move every day, even if only a little.

See a doctor. Seeing a doctor is obviously the first step in learning to manage chronic pain. A healthcare professional can help determine the source of the pain and suggest appropriate strategies, techniques, and treatments.

Ask for help and talk. Many older people say that talking to others who share their experiences of chronic pain has helped them a lot.

Try new things. The experience of chronic pain is different from person to person, so there can be a period of trial and error in exploring treatment options and strategies. We should not be discouraged, but continue to seek the best course of action.

Try meditation. The deep breathing exercises that accompany meditation can be helpful for some seniors who are learning to cope with chronic pain.

It is true that chronic pain is difficult to manage on a daily basis, but there are ways to continue to live a happy and fulfilling life regardless. Good luck!