Chronic Pain Assessment and Treatment Strategies for Older Adults
摘要
Chronic pain is highly prevalent among older adults and contributes to disability, psychological distress, social isolation, and increased healthcare utilization. Older adults remain vulnerable to underassessment and undertreatment due to diagnostic complexity, comorbidity burden, polypharmacy, and limited access to behavioral health services. This article provides an applied overview of evidence-based assessment and intervention strategies for chronic pain among older adults within health service psychology settings. Using a clinical vignette to frame common presentation patterns, key diagnostic considerations and best practices in biopsychosocial pain assessment are reviewed, alongside integrated behavioral interventions such as CBT for chronic pain, ACT, mindfulness-based approaches, behavioral activation, and graded activity pacing. Clinical and ethical challenges—including autonomy/beneficence balance, opioid-related risk, and access inequities—are discussed. Practical recommendations for interdisciplinary collaboration and outcome monitoring are offered to support functional restoration and quality of life in later adulthood.