Jul 02 2008
The Abbey Pain Scale
For measurement of pain in people with dementia who cannot verbalize.
How to use scale: While observing the resident, score questions 1 to 6
Name of resident: …………………………………………………………………………
Name and designation of person completing the scale: ………………………….
Date: ….………………………………………
Time: ………………………………………
Latest pain relief given was…………………………..…………..….….at ………..hrs.
Q1.Vocalisation
eg. whimpering, groaning, crying
Q1 Absent 0
Mild 1
Moderate 2
Severe 3
Q2. Facial expression
eg: looking tense, frowning grimacing, looking frightened
Q2 Absent 0
Mild 1
Moderate 2
Severe 3
Q3. Change in body language
eg: fidgeting, rocking, guarding part of body, withdrawn
Q3 Absent 0
Mild 1
Moderate 2
Severe 3
Q4. Behavioural Change
eg: increased confusion, refusing to eat, alteration in usual patterns
Q4 Absent 0
Mild 1
Moderate 2
Severe 3
Q5. Physiological change
eg: temperature, pulse or blood pressure outside normal limits, perspiring, flushing or pallor
Q5 Absent 0
Mild 1
Moderate 2
Severe 3
Q6. Physical changes
eg: skin tears, pressure areas, arthritis, contractures, previous injuries.
Q6 Absent 0
Mild 1
Moderate 2
Severe 3
Add scores for 1 – 6 and record here Total Pain Score ______
Now tick the box that matches the Total Pain Score
0 – 2 No pain ___
3 – 7 Mild ___
8 – 13 Moderate ___
14+ Severe ___
Finally, tick the box which matches the type of pain
Chronic ____
Acute ____
Acute on Chronic ____
Dementia Care Australia Pty Ltd
Website: www.dementiacareaustralia.com
Abbey, J; De Bellis, A; Piller, N; Esterman, A; Giles, L; Parker, D and Lowcay, B.
Funded by the JH & JD Gunn Medical Research Foundation 1998 – 2002
(This document may be reproduced with this acknowledgment retained)
When I worked in a nursing home, part of the dementia test we gave involved seeing if a resident could follow written and oral commands. Visual tests of seniors’ responses to different things have certainly proven to be helpful.
I’m glad there’s a test to try to determine pain for seniors who cannot verbalize how they feel. I really hate seeing anyone suffer unnecessarily.
By the way, CONGRATS on being today’s featured blog!
Sierra
http://anxiety.today.com
I was a CNA in a nursing home and we used something simular to this to record daily pain assestment.
Very interesting. My grandfather has advanced altzheimer’s - I’ll have to share this with my family.
Thanks for the info.
Jen @
http://happyfibrofamily.today.com
I’ve been around people like this and I too, really think it’s great what this can do for those who can not talk - which is something I really think we take for granted every day. I mean, we can vocalize our pain and they can not.
As a mom, this would be a great tool as well for parents with younger children who cannot vocalize or don’t have the vocabulary yet to describe the kind of pain that they might be in. Great post.
I agree - great post and great information! Makes me wonder what I look like/sound like when I’m in pain…
Laurie, that’s a good point that you bring up. I wonder too now. It also makes me think that it means that the person who’s filling in the information would have to be in-tune with reading facial expressions and body language to make an accurate assessment.