Book Helps Older Adults Manage Chronic Pain

IASP Press releases a new book -- Pain Management for Older Adults: A Self-Help Guide -- to help older people understand and proactively address their chronic pain. Developed by Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos and Dr. Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos and their contributors, this softcover book offers self-assessment checklists, progress charts, photos and illustrations, and simple instructions for managing persistent pain.

"With the graying of the baby boom and advances in health care," Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos explains, "we are seeing a dramatic increase in the proportion of older adults in society. There are many questions about the extent to which the health care system will be able to meet the needs of the changing demographic. Effective self-management has the potential of reducing health care visits and the associated costs."

Drawing from the editors' many years of clinical experience in working with older patients, Pain Management for Older Adults avoids scientific jargon and presents the information in a language that anyone can relate to and understand. The editors expect the book to be useful not only for older adults who struggle with chronic pain, but also for people who provide care for older adults, such as physicians and other health care providers, physical therapists, fitness consultants, spouses, family members, and caregivers.