·S5 E5
What If Pain Could Speak: Recognizing and Alleviating Hidden Pain in Dementia
Episode Description
What if the “behavior problems” we see in people living with dementia are actually signs of pain?
Host Dana Rampolla speaks with Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, Distinguished University Professor and associate dean of research at the University of Maryland School of Nursing who is an expert in aging and long-term care, about how pain often goes unrecognized in people with dementia. Because they may struggle to communicate discomfort, pain can show up as agitation, withdrawal, resistance to care, or sudden changes in appetite and engagement. These behaviors are sometimes misunderstood and treated with sedating medications instead of addressing the root cause.
Resnick explains what caregivers and clinicians should watch for, from facial expressions and lashing out to subtle shifts in participation and mood.
Health care professionals can learn more about pain management in long-term care settings in this Clinical Practice Guide co-authored by Resnick: https://www.jamda.com/article/S1525-8610(21)00911-7/fulltext
Chapters
00:00 Pain Without Words
00:28 Meet Dr. Resnick
02:36 Why Pain Gets Missed
06:15 The Vicious Cycle
07:28 Signs to Watch For
08:55 Find the Root Cause
10:40 Guidelines in Nursing Homes
11:37 Non-Drug Pain Relief
15:36 Questions for Care Teams
17:30 Key Takeaways
19:06 Why She Does This Work
20:55 NIH Study in Practice
22:56 Closing Credits
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