Persistent non-cancer pain management in the older adult.

Pain is a prevalent symptom affecting as many as 50% of community-dwelling older adults. Pain affects quality of life, functional status, cognition, mood, sleep, and well-being. A multimodal approach to pain management consists of both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions. Prescribing analgesics is safe and effective in older persons if done judiciously by starting low and titrating slowly while monitoring closely for potential side effects.