Pain Assessment in Cognitively Intact Older Adults
Use the following tools to screen for pain in older adults who are able to self report.
Recommendations for Pain Assessment in Cognitively Intact Older Adults - List of recommendations to screen for pain in cognitively intact older adults
Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
Pain intensity rating scale for use with individuals who can point to or state the number that reflects their current pain level.
- NRS Instructions - Instructions detailing the use of the nuemric rating scale (NRS) to assess pain intensity for persons able to self report.
- Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) Tool - Pain intensity rating scale for use with individuals who can point to or state the number that reflects their current pain level.
Verbal Descriptor Scale (VDS) or PAIN THERMOMETER SCALE
Pain intensity rating scale good for use with any individuals, including those with moderate to severe cognitive impairment.
- VDS Instructions - Instructions detailing the use of the Pain Thermometer to assess pain intensity for persons able to self report and is the best choice for most older adults.
- Verbal Descriptor Scale - (VDS) or Pain Thermometer Tool
FACES Pain Scale Revised (FPS-R)
Pain assessment tool used to assess pain intensity in persons who are able to self report, but unable to use a numeric rating scale.
Comprehensive Pain Assessment Form - Form to assess pain in cognitively intact older adults.
How to Try This Video: Pain Assessment in Older Adults - Details about a FREE 1-hour video that contains content on asessment of both cognitively intact and cognitively impaired older adults and relevant for the nursing home population.
ID Pain: a Neuropathic Pain Screen - Pain Screening Tool to evaluate presence of neuropathic pain.
Pain Diary - Tool to use with older adults and/or their caregivers to record their daily pain and what they did to treat it.