Pain assessment and management for people with dementia in the community.

Why you should read this article: • To understand that pain in people with dementia is often unrecognised and unrelieved • To increase your knowledge of the causes, effects and presentation of pain in people with dementia • To enhance your awareness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions used to manage pain in people with dementia People with dementia commonly experience pain, but it is often unrecognised, unrelieved and remains an underlying issue as the condition progresses. As a result, pain management for people with dementia is inadequate. Community nurses have a fundamental role in the assessment and management of pain and in supporting family carers. This article details the causes and effects of pain in people with dementia, explains the components of a holistic approach to individualised pain assessment, and describes various pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions that can be used to manage pain in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]