Long-Term Care Survey Alert

Pain can cause increasing cognitive impairment.

Pain can be pervasive and show up in a number of signs that staff might not initially relate to a resident's discomfort. These include the following, according to Christie Teigland, PhD, in a presentation at the recent American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging annual meeting.

• Sleep disturbance, e.g., people waking up at night;

• Malnutrition. People with pain tend to lose weight, Teigland noted.

• Decline in social and recreational activities;

• Physical function decline;

• Depression and anxiety;

• Increased levels of cognitive impairment;

• Behavioral symptoms, especially those affecting others. A patient in pain may lash out at a caregiver, Teigland noted.