Fact 11: The Need for Regular Pain Reassessment in Dementia Care
Regular pain reassessment is a critical aspect of dementia care. Due to the progressive nature of dementia, an individual’s pain experience can change over time. Regular reassessment ensures that these changes are promptly identified, and the person’s pain management plan is updated accordingly.
Pain reassessment should involve evaluating the effectiveness of current pain management strategies. If the individual continues to show signs of discomfort, it might indicate that the current interventions are not adequately addressing their pain. In such cases, changes to the pain management plan might be necessary.
Regular reassessment also helps identify new sources of pain. For instance, as individuals age and their physical health changes, they might develop new pain-causing conditions like arthritis or other musculoskeletal issues. Regular pain reassessment can help detect these issues early, allowing for timely intervention.(11)
