PAIN, PAIN MANAGEMENT, AND CONSEQUENCES OF PAIN AMONG HOSPITALIZED PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA

The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence, management and impact of pain on behavior and delirium in hospitalized older adults living with dementia. This was a descriptive study using baseline data from patients in the first cohort of the Fam-FFC study which evaluates the impact of a family-engaged function-focused care intervention in hospitalized patients with dementia. The majority of the sample was female (70%) and black (80%) with a mean age of 82.5 (SD=8.9). Pain (PAINAD) was reported by 36% of the patients; 42% of those demonstrating pain were prescribed analgesics. Controlling for age, gender and baseline cognition, pain was significantly associated with behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia ( t =2.1, p= .034) and delirium severity (t = 4.9, p<.0001). Results suggest the need for pain assessment and individualized treatment plans to promote comfort and decrease behavioral and delirium symptoms in hospitalized persons with dementia.