11.7.2024 Jodie Prosser
Improving the quality of pain management through mCare
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Identifying, assessing, and effectively managing pain in residential aged care is crucial to enhancing the quality of life for older Australians and preventing functional decline.
All aged care professionals must maintain a high level of awareness and be alert to the possibility of pain in older individuals, especially in residents who cannot communicate their discomfort. Additionally, it is essential to be prepared to treat the symptoms of pain and underlying causes to alleviate residents suffering, provide the most effective and comprehensive care and improve their quality of life.
The silent epidemic of chronic pain across Australia
Older adults are particularly vulnerable to unresolved pain.
They may refrain from reporting pain for various reasons, including the belief that it is a typical part of ageing, fear of treatment, or being unable to communicate pain, as is the case with individuals experiencing moderate to advanced dementia.
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According to the Australian Pain Society, one in five Australians are estimated to live with chronic (persistent) pain and disability, and this number increases to one in three adults over the age of 65.
It is further estimated that between 80-93% of residents in aged care sites experience pain which is poorly recognised and often undertreated.
Tools for assessing pain: Assisting carers in identifying and recording pain levels
Many residential aged care sites across Australia use our clinical care system, mCare, to evidence care in real-time. mCare has a wide range of capabilities, from giving aged care managers oversight of critical information covering care plans, risk assessments, daily records, and charts to assisting aged care professionals with analysing trends, measuring business-critical KPIs, and much more!
The system also helps aged care professionals to identify and record pain levels. mCare has several pain assessment scales, all of which have been specifically designed to assist in assessing pain levels accurately.
mCare's pain assessment scales include the following:
- Abbey Pain Scale: This scale uses a series of questions to assess pain in residents who are unable to articulate their needs clearly.
- Wong-Baker: This scale is for people who respond well to expressing their pain through identifying facial expressions.
- Numerical Rating Scale (NRS): This scale enables residents to select their pain level on a scale of 0 – 10.
Each assessment provides a unique way of effectively supporting residents in communicating their pain level.
