Alzheimer's Care

Alzheimer's Disease: Recognizing Pain

Order# AD204
Presented by Peter V. Rabins, MD, MPH

interactive discussion and resident vignettes
17 minutes
title price: $150; $75 rental

This DVD addresses the important issue of recognizing pain in Alzheimer’s patients. While other residents can help the health care team by describing their pain, in many instances the person with Alzheimer's disease is not able to do so.

Dr. Peter Rabins talks with nursing staff at a long-term care facility helping caregivers identify ways to determine if an individual with Alzheimer's disease is experiencing pain. This video begins with Dr. Rabins explaining the importance of knowing each resident as an individual and their baseline behaviors. Change becomes the "call bell" alerting staff to pain. Staff note changes they have observed which can be pain signals such as: a resident suddenly becoming withdrawn or agitated; a resident starting to call out; or a change in appetite or a change in sleep patterns. Other signs of pain observed by staff include: facial expressions; pulling away from staff providing care; or suddenly becoming resistant to getting up in the morning.

By knowing the resident and looking out for these changes, staff can effectively monitor residents for pain. This DVD includes: group discussion with nursing staff; patient presentations to Dr. Rabins by nursing assistants.

Topics: Pain assessment, behavior changes
Audience: Students in nursing, allied health professional training; nursing staff in long-term care and assisted living; hospice professionals; family caregivers

This program is part of the "The Guide for Providing Quality of Life for Alzheimer's Patients" series.

The Guide for Providing Quality of Life for Alzheimer's Patients
Communicating with the Alzheimer's Patient (AD202)	Recognizing Pain (AD204)
Maintaining Independence and Involving the Alzheimer's Patient (AD203)

... more videos on Alzheimer's Disease »