Recognition and management of pain in patients with dementia

The risk of developing dementia rises exponentially with age and about a third of people will die with dementia. Palliative care is appropriate for many patients. Cognitive function may alter patients’ perception of pain and communication difficulties can lead to under-recognition and undertreatment. In such patients, use of observational scales for assessing pain is recommended. Appropriate pain control can help to improve the holistic management of patients with dementia.