Pain Management: Best Practices for Patients with Dementia

Course overview

Research on pain science has dramatically evolved and changed how rehabilitation professionals assess and treat pain. There is a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying chronic pain, but how do these concepts apply to patients who, due to dementia, cannot accurately describe their pain or understand the clinical reasoning behind therapy interventions? In this course, learners will gain a basic understanding of the mechanisms of chronic pain and its impacts on individuals with dementia. A series of case studies demonstrate how to identify and assess pain in this population and implement evidence-based strategies to manage pain and improve function.