Supporting documents such as webinar slides, transcript, and additional resources are available to download by scrolling to the attachments section below.
Description:
Chronic pain is one of the most common conditions encountered by healthcare professionals, particularly among those caring for older adults.1 Approximately half of all older adults report experiencing bothersome pain within the last month, with three quarters of these older adults reporting pain in more than one location.2 In addition, older adults who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid have higher rates of chronic pain than adults with all other types of coverage.3 Chronic pain that is untreated or ineffectively managed can lead to significant health consequences among older adults, including depression, decreased ability to socialize, impaired sleep, increased falls, malnutrition, and decreased quality of life.4 Research suggests that chronic pain is often underdetected and undertreated with advancing age.5
This webinar discusses the common causes and types of pain among dually eligible older adults, identifies promising practices for biopsychosocial pain management, and demonstrates practical strategies for conducting geriatric pain assessments, delivering evidence-based treatment interventions, and supporting older adults in achieving their pain management and wellness goals.
Speakers discuss appropriate use of opioids and strategies to help older adults with opioid use disorder effectively manage chronic pain. Speakers, including an older adult with lived experience managing chronic pain, share lessons learned on how to effectively care for and support dually eligible older adults.
By the end of this webinar, participants should be able to:
- Identify common causes and types of pain among older adults
- Recognize effective strategies and approaches for assessing older adults’ pain management needs
- Recognize how to provide tailored pain management interventions to meet the needs of older adults, including appropriate opioid use and alternatives to opioids
- Identify promising practices for how to engage older adults in self-managing their pain and collaborating with providers in the community for biopsychosocial supports
Featured Speakers:
- Dr. Beth Darnall, PhD, Associate Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine
- Katrina Profitt, PCC-S, Clinical Liaison, Aetna Better Health of Ohio
- Melissa Myers, ACSW, MSW, Behavioral Health Case Manager, Inland Empire Health Plan, Integrated Pain Program
- Randy, Consumer
Intended Audience:
This webinar is intended for a wide range of stakeholders – front-line staff at social service agencies, providers and health care professionals (such as physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, certified prevention specialists, case managers, addiction counselors), MMPs, D-SNPs, managed long-term services and supports programs, and consumer organizations.
Attachments:
1 Reid, M. C., Eccleston, C., & Pillemer, K. (2015). Management of chronic pain in older adults. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 350, h532. doi:10.1136/bmj.h532.
2 Patel, K. V., Guralnik, J. M., Dansie, E. J., & Turk, D. C. (2013). Prevalence and impact of pain among older adults in the United States: findings from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study. Pain, 154(12), 2649–2657. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2013.07.029.
3 Dahlhamer, J., Lucas, J., Zelaya, C., Nahin, R., Mackey, S., DeBar, L., … Helmick, C. (2018). Prevalence of chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain among adults. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 67, 1001-1006. http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6736a2.
4 Ayres, E., Warmington, M., Reid, M. (2012). Managing chronic pain in older adults: 6 steps to overcoming medication barriers. The Journal of Family Practice, 61(9), S16-S21. Retrieved from https://www.mdedge.com/familymedicine/article/116938/geriatrics/managing-chronic-pain-older-adults-6-steps-overcoming.
5 Ibid.