When dealing with your loved one’s healthcare, senior pain management often stands out as a pivotal factor that can deeply affect quality of life. Pain can easily make the difference between a good day and a bad one.
The Kensington Sierra Madre is always looking for the next innovations in senior care and has seen how medical advancements have moved beyond traditional methods and opened doors to a wider variety of effective and compassionate approaches.
Our promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.
The Kensington Sierra Madre and USC Pain Center: A collaborative venture
In this light, The Kensington Sierra Madre has joined forces with the renowned USC Pain Center at Keck School of Medicine to offer a further understanding of senior pain management.
As part of this collaboration, we’re hosting an enlightening presentation, “Innovations in Pain Management,” that focuses on cutting-edge advancements in senior pain management. Click here to RSVP now!
This free event is on Jan. 18th, from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm PST. This insightful discussion is for bridging the latest in pain management with the needs of seniors, and fostering a deeper understanding of how to alleviate suffering and enhance the lives of our senior community.
Event preview: A collaborative discussion of pain management
The Kensington Sierra Madre stands at the forefront of senior care, continually seeking ways to enhance the lives of its residents.
Our community’s holistic approach goes beyond just addressing physical needs; it encompasses emotional, social, and mental health, ensuring a comprehensive care experience.
The USC Pain Center is renowned for its expertise in pain management, particularly in its research and application of novel treatments and therapies.
We’re thrilled to welcome the following experts to this event:
- Michael Bottros, MD, Clinical Operations and Medical Director for Pain Services at Keck Medicine of USC
- Alexander Chen, MD, Board-Certified Anesthesiologist and Interventional Pain Medicine Specialist
- Jeffrey Lin, MD, Anesthesiologist and Pain Medicine Specialist
- Porus D. Mistry, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
This collaboration is expected to bring an exciting blend of academic insight and practical application.
Discussion topics include:
- Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) to alleviate back and leg pain from lumbar stenosis.
- Radiofrequency ablation to help eliminate or reduce painful osteoarthritis from various joints in the body and spine.
- Peripheral nerve stimulation to help achieve better pain control of nerve pain without surgery.
- Spinal cord stimulation to help reduce back and leg pain that exists even after surgery.
Decoding pain management in senior care
Pain in seniors is a multifaceted issue, often influenced by a range of factors—including chronic conditions such as arthritis, neuropathy, and sciatica. (Sciatica pain relief is of particular interest to many senior caregivers.)
The complexity of diagnosing and treating pain in seniors is compounded by the fact that pain perception changes with age. This makes it imperative to adopt a nuanced approach toward pain assessment and management in senior care.
The impact of chronic pain on senior well-being
Chronic pain—a common companion to many seniors—can be more than just an ailment of the body; it can deeply impact emotional and mental well-being, leading to a reduced quality of life.
Persistent pain can hinder daily activities, exacerbate feelings of dependency, and even lead to mental health challenges like depression and anxiety.
Addressing pain in seniors, therefore, is not just about physical relief but also about restoring dignity, independence, and joy.
Advancements in senior pain management
Recent years have seen remarkable strides in pain management, particularly for seniors.
Cutting-edge techniques and treatments for senior pain relief
Innovations range from new pharmaceuticals offering longer-lasting relief with fewer side effects to non-invasive therapies such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and the ancient technique of acupuncture.
Technological advancements such as virtual reality therapy also show promise in managing pain.
Tailoring care: personalized pain management plans
Our dedicated medical team and physiotherapists have learned that a one-size-fits-all approach is often ineffective in senior pain management.
Your loved one’s pain experience is going to be unique in some way—influenced by factors like personal health history, lifestyle, and even emotional well-being.
Personalized care plans, therefore, are essential—something that takes into account the individual’s specific needs, preferences, and goals. Each can ensure a more targeted and effective approach to pain management.
This customization is crucial in treating pain in seniors, as it respects their autonomy and acknowledges their specific life circumstances.
Challenges faced by caregivers in senior pain management
Caregivers, often the unsung heroes in the narrative of senior care, face considerable challenges in managing pain for their elderly loved ones.
Learning to read the pain signs
One of the primary difficulties lies in communication. As seniors may struggle to articulate their pain levels or the nature of their discomfort, caregivers must become adept at interpreting non-verbal cues and subtle changes in behavior.
Medication juggling act
Additionally, caregivers must navigate the complexities of medication management, ensuring the right balance between efficacy and potential side effects.
The emotional ‘hammer’
Another challenge is the emotional toll it takes. Watching a loved one suffer can be heart-wrenching, and caregivers often grapple with feelings of helplessness and frustration.
Balancing the physical needs of pain management with emotional support requires a delicate touch and a deep well of patience and empathy.
These challenges highlight the crucial need for support and resources tailored specifically to caregivers, aiding them in their vital role in pain management for seniors.
Innovations in practice with The Kensington Sierra Madre
The collaboration between The Kensington Sierra Madre and the USC Pain Center is part of Our Promise to always care for your family as we do our own.
This leads us to seek ways forward to enhance the lives of our residents and their families through advanced pain management.
The innovations discussed and implemented as a result of this partnership have the potential to transform lives, providing relief and restoring a sense of normalcy to those who suffer from chronic pain.
Together, we ensure your loved ones receive the greatest possible care—tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.
Join the movement toward better senior care
We invite caregivers, healthcare professionals, and seniors themselves to join us in this journey to discuss compassionate and innovative pain management for seniors
Attend the upcoming presentation to learn more and become an active participant in this vital aspect of senior care.
Our team is ready to assist and always open to hearing your concerns.