Investigation Experience and impact of pain in seniors conducted among 500 people aged 65 and over by CSA Research for Sanofi shows that pain management can be complex. This survey highlights the fact that pain affects almost all seniors (83% of those questioned are currently suffering or have had at least one painin the last 12 months). But it also shows that for 71% of seniors, pain is part of everyday life because “it’s normal to have pain from a certain age”.
Seniors do not make the link between pain and health problem
“With advancing age, it is normal for people to be more fragile. But these figures above all give indications on the experience and the feeling of pain: seniors suffer but do not necessarily correlate this pain with a poor state of health” emphasizes Professor Serge Perrot, rheumatologist at the Cochin hospital and vice-president of the French Society for the Study and Treatment of Pain.
The first instinct is not to talk to the doctor
Joint pain, muscle pain or back pain are the main pains mentioned by seniors, who do not hesitate to talk about it with their loved ones. On the other hand, they delay turning to a health professional, even when this pain affects their mobility. 70% of people surveyed admit to waiting weeks or even months before talking to the doctor.
“It is now important to explain to the elderly that suffering is not inevitable and therefore that it is not necessary to delay consulting. Because the most frequent pains affect mobility, which can alter the autonomy of seniors and aggravate their fragility”comments Professor Serge Perrot.
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