Pain management study for dementia patients

Scientists at the University of Leeds are leading pioneering research into the management of pain for dementia patients when they first enter hospital.

The study is looking to find new ways to detect and treat pain in patients with dementia who may not be able to accurately explain where the pain is coming from, how long they have been experiencing it for or the incident that caused the pain.

One of the key areas of the study will be an investigation into the ways that carers can be more involved in the process in an effort to improve the experience for the patient.

Professor Dawn Downing of the University of Leeds said: "We need to help staff recognise when a person with dementia is in pain, and then give them guidance on how to treat that effectively."

She also explained that carers should play a more integral role because of their superior knowledge of the patient.