Chronic pain management in older adults: special considerations.

Abstract

The rising prevalence of neuropathic pain and the multifaceted sequelae of pain particularly within older adults are part of the increasing challenges in providing good geriatric pain management. Aging can lead to a higher sensitivity to pain within older adults, whereas physiological changes modify the absorption, bioavailability, and transit time of pharmaceutical agents. Ultimately, these differences within older adults require clinicians treating them to provide individually tailored analgesic approaches. Progressive age increases the variance in physiology among people; thus, the management approach should reflect an individual's unique requirements and limitations based on findings at the time of assessment.