Attitudes and Barriers to Pain Management in the Ageing Population

- There will be increased numbers of older adults in society in the next few decades. - Older adults are more likely to have pain problems and other co-morbidities. - Generally, pain is poorly managed in older adults, and this becomes worse when cognitive impairment exists. - The impact of chronic pain on older adults will be greater than that of their younger counterparts in terms of social isolation. - Attitudes and barriers to improved pain management exist in both the older adults themselves and their younger counterparts