Making pain management a priority. Managing suffering for the elderly takes multi-faceted approach.

LEADERSHIP ROLE Catholic Memorial Home, a 300-bed, skilled long-term care facility, assumed a leadership role in treating pain for the elderly by developing a dynamic interdisciplinary pain management program in 1997. The home is part of the Diocesan Health Facilities (www.dhfo.org), a system of five, long-term care facilities sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River, Mass. The pain program at the home is focused on the mission of providing compassionate care to the elderly and infirm in a Christian environment where the relief of pain and suffering is a top priority. The staffs mission reflects the values and purpose of the organization and serves as the foundation for the pain management program. Strong institutional commitment and accountability provided the leadership that resulted in institutional practice change.