Nonpharmacological Pain Management by Ethnically Diverse Older Adults With Chronic Pain: Barriers and Facilitators

As key players in multidisciplinary health care systems, geriatric social workers must understand the dynamics of pain management among older adults with chronic pain. This study identified perceived barriers to, and facilitators for, utilizing nonpharmacological pain management through face-to-face...

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Published inJournal of gerontological social work Vol. 56; no. 6; pp. 487 - 508
Main Authors Park, Juyoung, Hirz, Christina E., Manotas, Karen, Hooyman, Nancy
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Routledge 01.08.2013
Taylor & Francis LLC
Subjects
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Attitudes
barriers
Chronic pain
Chronic Pain - therapy
Communication
Constraints
Counseling
Cultural Pluralism
Elderly
Elderly people
Ethnic Groups - statistics & numerical data
Exercise
Facilitators
Female
Health Care Services
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Management
Middle Aged
nonpharmacological therapies
Older people
Pain management
Pain Management - utilization
Positive thought
qualitative method
Selfconsciousness
Social Support
Social Work
Social Workers
Studies
Transportation
Treatment Methods
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Summary:As key players in multidisciplinary health care systems, geriatric social workers must understand the dynamics of pain management among older adults with chronic pain. This study identified perceived barriers to, and facilitators for, utilizing nonpharmacological pain management through face-to-face interviews with 44 ethnically diverse community-dwelling older adults. Constant comparative analysis identified barriers not recognized in prior studies: (a) embarrassment/self-consciousness, (b) unavailability of certain treatments, and (c) lack of faith in effectiveness of nonpharmacological treatments. Most frequently reported facilitators were (a) social support, (b) positive attitude, and (c) available resources. Social workers can provide counseling to motivate older adults to exercise to manage chronic pain and refer them to exercise programs tailored for older adults. To resolve the most frequently reported barrier-transportation-social workers can link older adults with transportation services offered by senior centers or other nonprofit agencies.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
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ISSN:0163-4372
1540-4048
DOI:10.1080/01634372.2013.808725