How do I know if my loved one with dementia is in pain?

By, Lisa M. O'Neill, DBH, MPH

A person living with dementia can experience pain, just like anyone else.  Dementia does not cause pain, but a person living with dementia can be at risk for other things that cause pain such as falls or other injuries. Further, as with most older adults, people with dementia are more likely to have other medical conditions that might cause pain. 

​However, it might be difficult for them to understand what you are asking or what they are feeling, so they may not be able to tell you if something hurts.  Pain can come from multiple sources.  It can be temporary, like a headache or sore throat.  It can be longer lasting, like a sprained wrist or ankle. It can also be ongoing and persistent, like lower back or nerve pain.  The source can also be symptoms of a known or new disease, or the treatment of a disease such as cancer.  ​

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