Life expectancy is increasing and people are living longer. At the same time, the incidence of persistent pain is increasing. This is further contributed by age-related afflictions like arthritis, diabetes and malignancy. Though the incidence of persistent pain increases in the middle age, the elderly population is twice as likely to suffer from persistent pain as compared to the young population.

The assessment of pain can be challenging especially when there is a decline in cognitive state. Impaired health along with persistent pain can lead to depression and add to the existing pain. Elderly patients with untreated pain are at more risk of developing delirium. Assessment of pain becomes further difficult as there is a change of pain threshold and tolerance with aging.

Assessment is mostly based on self-reporting. The various scales used for cognitively intact patient are: