[Sweden] The process of pain assessment in people with dementia living in nursing homes: A scoping review

[Sweden] The process of pain assessment in people with dementia living in nursing homes: A scoping review
Palliative Care and Social Practice; Caroline Kreppen Overen, Maria Larsson, Adelheid Hummelvoll Hillestad, Ingela Karlsson, Siren Eriksen; 1/25
Studies have documented a pain prevalence in people with dementia living in nursing homes of 35%–43%, but a possible prevalence of 60%–80%. Self-reported information is the most appropriate when assessing pain, as symptom experience is subjective and highly personal. However, for people with dementia living in nursing homes, self-reporting represents a challenge due to cognitive impairment, including difficulties with language and communication. People with dementia might express pain with different behavioural expressions or signs, such as agitation, apathy, restlessness or wandering. Numerous observational assessment tools targeting pain in people with dementia have been developed and evaluated and systematic use of standardized observational tools has been recommended.