Older Women With Chronic Pain

This much-needed book explores the issues and consequences of chronic pain in later life. Chronic pain often accompanies the non-fatal health conditions experienced by older women, but much of the professional literature virtually ignores older chronic pain sufferers. Older Women With Chronic Pain begins to fill this void by exploring chronic pain and its effects on older individuals. Authors draw upon existing pain literature, their knowledge of aging, and recognition of the health issues facing older women to illuminate the particulars of chronic pain in later life in relation to its etiology, assessment, consequences, and management.

Chronic pain is not and should not be treated as part of the natural aging process. This book stresses the importance of understanding the causes and consequences of living with chronic pain in later life. Among the specific areas that chapters explore are:

• physical and biomedical aspects of chronic pain in later life

• the importance of using a comprehensive strategy for assessing chronic pain in older women

• coping strategies used by older women with chronic musculoskeletal pain

• issues associated with cancer pain and pain management in later life

• the influence of chronic pain on the family relationships of older women

• nonpharmacologic interventions for the management of chronic pain in older women

  The book includes a thorough review of the geriatric literature as well as suggestions for future research in the area of women with chronic pain. Researchers and academicians interested in the health concerns of older women, and clinicians and practitioners working with older women (and men) with chronic pain will find this book full of insightful information to help them in their work.