Estimated point and period prevalence of chronic pain in the elderly have been reported to be between 60% to 75% among individuals more than sixty five years with even higher levels among the elderly in assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
Impact on Quality of Life and Costs
According to the epidemiological data it was found out that chronic pain is more common in the elderly, up to the seventh decade in life; it may even slightly decrease after the specified age.
As reported by Medcentral, the pain patterns that can be observed in the elderly are mainly: low back pain, OA of the joints, such as knee and shoulder, and peripheral neuropathy that is usually diabetes related.
Rising Numbers and Future Challenges
Pain results in physical disability, affects the quality of life ; and is expensive for the patient and the country. A current study pointed out that the national cost of pain was higher than the cost of priority health conditions within the nation such as cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases had been evaluated to be ranging between 560 billion USD to 635 billion USD every year.
Currently the population of the US is over 500 million including 65 years of age and over, a figure that is estimated to triple in 2050 .
In particular, given that the number of older people grows year after year, the prevalence of frailty and chronic diseases accompanied by pain also rises. Therefore, a significant challenge in pain management with elderly patients is expect for PCP to experience in his oder practice. Since elder population suffers from chronic pain, the possible preventive factors would be wise and quite urgent.
Importance of Physical Exercise
Physical exercise has totally been identified as one of the most effective nonpharmacological treatments for chronic pain and is frequently prescribed complementary to pharmacological therapy. Physical activity was also has significance correlation to the prevention of persistent pain in elderly.
However, it is a trend with adults that as they age, they engage in physical inactivity and therefore majority of older adults lack the American College of Sports Medicine ‘s recommended level of physical activity.