Implementation of improved diagnosis and treatment of pain and depression in demented elderly

Age is a major risk factor for both pain and dementia. The number of people with dementia suffering from pain will increase. Pain medication is less prescribed in demented elderly, compared to non-demented older people. One of the reasons is that pain is under recognised in dementia patients. Untreated pain influences physical activity and mood.
These, in turn, influence cognition, and circadian rhythm. In this study, everyday, two times a day, attention to possible pain and depressive symptoms in demented people will be implemented. The prediction is that this will lead to better pain treatment, improved mood, and hence increased physical activity, cognition, and circadian rhythm.

Everyday attention to possible pain and depression will lead to better treatment of pain and depression. This will lead increased physical activity, improved circadian rhythm, improved cognition, and improved mood.

0 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months

- Everyday, 2 times a day, pain observation by nurse, and self-rating scales by patient (coloured analogue scale, numeric rating scale, and faces pain scale).

- Everyday attention to depressive symptoms by nurse (Cornell)