Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective To validate the Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate – Portuguese in demented elderly and to analyze its measurement properties.Methods We evaluated 50 elderly with dementia, residing in a nursing home and with limited communication ability, when exposed to potentially painful situations. The tool was applied at two different moments. First, two interviewers applied it simultaneously, and the intensity of pain was asked based on the caregiver’s opinion. After 14 days, with no analgesic intervention, one of the interviewers applied it again.Results The sample comprised more females, aged over 80 years, with dementia due to Alzheimer, presenting musculoskeletal pain of moderate to severe intensity. The psychometric properties of the tool demonstrated appropriate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.827). The scale had excellent reproducibility, according to the intraclass correlation coefficient, and the tool has been duly validated.Conclusion The Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate – Portuguese had adequate measuring properties for use with elderly presenting limited communication.
Highlights
The growth of the elderly population is a universal phenomenon
The projection for 2030 is that individuals aged over 65 years will account for over 20% of population in the United States.[1]. Brazil has the fastest aging process in the world, and is estimated to rank sixth in number of elderly citizens in 2025.(2) This epidemiological scenario shows an increase in number of chronic health problems, cancer and disability, and many cases are related to pain.[3]
The sample was composed of all elderly patients diagnosed with dementia of any kind, according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV),(30) with limited communication ability and exposure to potentially painful circumstances, who lived in Residencial Israelita Albert Einstein (RIAE) in the city of São Paulo (SP, Brazil)
Summary
The projection for 2030 is that individuals aged over 65 years will account for over 20% of population in the United States.[1] Brazil has the fastest aging process in the world, and is estimated to rank sixth in number of elderly citizens in 2025.(2) This epidemiological scenario shows an increase in number of chronic health problems, cancer and disability, and many cases are related to pain.[3].
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