Project 460425

Pain diagnosis is a complex and challenging issue in residents living with dementia due to their difficulty verbalizing or self-reporting pain. It is not uncommon for pain diagnoses in residents living with dementia to be dependent on the knowledge and reporting practices of trained staff at their respective nursing homes. Chronic pain is a common problem for many long-term care residents and is experienced by 45-80% of residents. Chronic pain is defined as pain persisting for less than3 months and that has a negative impact on daily life. Chronic pain affects an individual's physical, psychological, social, and spiritual wellbeing. The objective of this research project is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the prescription patterns specific to chronic pain management in LTC residents living with dementia, compared to residents without dementia. Numerous studies have demonstrated that older adults living with dementia experience poor treatment of pain in long-term care. The undertreatment and underassessment of chronic pain is often attributed to the difficulty of older adults living with dementia in communicating their needs. This will be the first research study to investigate prescription patterns related to chronic pain management in Canadian LTC homes. This research can be used by clinicians, nurses, and policymakers to better treat the pain experienced by older adults in long-term care as well as to reduce medication burden and polypharmacy.