Clinical ReferenceEval Tool

Assessing Pain in Individuals Diagnosed with Dementia

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Physical, occupational, and speech therapy printable resource: Assessing pain in individuals with dementia
Print Resource — US Letter — 3 pages

Population:

Adult

Discipline:

OTSLP

Diagnosis:

Dementia

References:

  • Felton, N., Lewis, J. S., Cockburn, S.-J., Hodgson, M., & Dawson, S. (2021). Pain assessment for individuals with advanced dementia in Care Homes: A Systematic Review. Geriatrics, 6(4), 101. 
  • Herr, K., Bursch, H., Ersek, M., Miller, L. L., & Swafford, K. (2010). Use of pain-behavioral assessment tools in the nursing home: Expert consensus recommendations for practice. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 36(3), 18–29.
  • Parkman, S., Mastel-Smith, B., McGuire, A., & Duke, G. (2021). Insights to identifying and managing pain in persons with dementia in long-term care: A mixed methods study comparing the abbey pain scale and pain assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(2), 21–30. 
  • Warden, V., Hurley, A. C., & Volicer, L. (2003). Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the pain assessment in advanced dementia (PAINAD) scale. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 4(1), 9–15.

This clinical reference provides therapy practitioners a way to assess accurate pain levels in individuals with dementia. This printable clinical reference is for occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists working with adult patients, covering Dementia. Print Resource, US Letter, 3 pages. Members can view and print it.

Use this resource when a patient, family, or colleague asks:

  • How do I use the PAINAD scale during patient care?
  • How can clinicians assess pain in individuals with dementia?
  • What observational signs may indicate pain in advanced dementia?

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