Concerns about pain can be a source of distress for family caregivers. Many caregivers consider pain to be an indication of the patient’s status and equate worsening pain with advancing disease and impending death. Some caregivers view death as a welcome relief from the pain, and others avoid thinking about death by denying both the pain and the progressing illness.[i]
Caregivers tend to perceive pain and associated distress as worse than the patients perceive it. Fears of addiction, tolerance, uncontrolled pain, and analgesic side effects are sources of constant worry for caregivers and present a conflict in terms of providing pain relief.[i]
Research shows that patients and caregivers benefit from structured pain management education, resulting in reports of caregivers feeling useful and patients having more strength, increased appetite, less worry, and greater sense of control.
Serving as a Pain Management Advocate
Besides being the person experiencing pain, the next worst thing is for a caregiver to watch a loved one in pain. One way you can help is by acting as his/her advocate. A few ways you can do this are by:
- Believing your loved one’s report of pain.
- Paying attention to the signs that indicate that your loved one might be in pain. These may include facial expressions, breathing and sighing heavily, unusual body movements, behavioral changes (such as not wanting to eat or sleep), or mental changes such as crying or irritability.
- Speaking up for your loved one when you go to the doctor, including insisting on managing his/her pain.
--From the National Family Caregiver’s Association
http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/caregiving_resources/aapm.cfm
[i] Ferrell BR,Rhiner M,Cohen MZ,Grant M. “Pain as a metaphor for illness. Part I:Impact of cancer pain on family caregivers.” Oncol Nurs Forum. 1991;18(8):1303-9.