Elder Pain Study Shows Disparity in Races

According to a study conducted to measure pain in elderly nursing home residents showed a marked disparity between racial groups:
- About one-quarter of all nursing home residents reported or showed signs of pain.
- Forty-four percent of nursing home residents with pain received neither standing orders for pain medication nor special services for pain management (i.e., appropriate pain management).
- Among residents with dementia and pain, nonwhite residents were more likely than white residents to lack appropriate pain management.
- a significantly greater proportion of residents without dementia reported pain compared with residents with dementia.

Over 40% of all nursing home residents with pain received neither standing orders for pain medication nor special services for pain management. Among residents with dementia and pain, there were differences in appropriate pain management between nonwhite and white residents, with nonwhite residents being more likely than white residents to lack appropriate pain management. Questions exist as to the disparity of adequate pain relief for non white residents. Is it because the facilities they are in are inferior and lack adequate resources?

Products - Data Briefs - Number 30 - March 2010