Expression and description of chronic pain by older people

Chronic or persistent pain is a complex phenomenon. The incidence of chronic pain is common among older people and unfortunately it is often disabling. The experience of chronic pain is highly individual and influenced by a range of factors. Expression and description of one's pain experience is also individual in nature. Health care providers are often involved in the identification, treatment and management of persistent pain conditions. Do they really listen to and understand what older people are saying and describing? An investigation of factors relating to pain expression and description by older people will be undertaken in this literature review. Further research is recommended to gain a better understanding of how older people express pain. The issues relating to health care provider's understanding of older people's description and expression of pain also warrants further exploration.