Pain Management

Ekman, et al. (2000) the comprehensive understanding was that the very old persons who also felt old were in a phase of transition. The distinguishing qualities of those that felt old were also found to be in line with the dystonic dominance in the ninth stage designated by Joan Erikson of the previously described life cycle. Knowledge about transition processes and sensitivity to very old people’s experiences of feeling old are of great importance to nursing in order to provide adequate health care services and prevent unhealthy transitions. According to an article “Loneliness in older people” Older people are especially vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation – and it can have a serious effect on health. But there are ways to overcome

The most common strategies used were medication, rest, mobility, distracting activities and talking about pain. Respondents chose strategies by balancing the advantages of the activities against the disadvantages these brought for their daily living. This study indicates that characteristics of the older people, such as their way of experiencing themselves, how pain affects their daily life and how they perceive effects and side-effects of pain management are areas that need to be identified when staff assess pain and plan pain

Twenty elderly inhabitants of the city of Oulu in Finland, over 75 years of age, who live at home were interviewed. Content analysis was used as the method. According to the analysis, elderly people's coping at home consisted of social contacts, daily events as the substance of life, and previous life experiences. Social contacts consisted of family, public health services, and neighbors. Daily events as the substance of life included taking part in activities of daily living.
The contents of previous life experiences consisted of thinking back to organize one's life experiences and their influence on one's own life. The factors that promoted coping at home were maintenance of health, the experience of well-being, and security. The findings of this study indicate that by supporting elderly people to cope at home, it is possible to influence their sense of safety and well-being and hence their quality of life (Pietila & Tervo,