Each of us has had some type of pain in the past. When a person has pain, they feel distress and want relief. No two people experience pain the same. For that reason, it is often difficult for a family caregiver to understand and know what to do when the person they care for has pain. How people deal with pain also differs greatly from person to person. We cannot judge someone else’s pain based on our own experience of pain.

Pain is very real to a person. Thus, when you care for a person in pain:

  • Respect their feelings
  • Accept their pain
  • Do what you can to make them more comfortable
  • Determine the level of pain they are having

Listen to the Person

A person’s report of pain is the most reliable sign that he or she is in pain. However, many persons choose not to report or talk about their pain. If a person thinks you doubt he or she is having pain, then they will not talk about it. It is very important for the person to feel like he or she can tell you how they feel.

Show That You Care

Simply sitting down and talking with a person about how they feel, lets them know you do care and want to help.

By knowing when a person is in pain, you can act and decide if you need to call a doctor or emergency medical services. This lesson will give you useful information on how to know a person is having pain and some very basic ways that can help to make them feel more comfortable.

By knowing when a person is in pain, you can act and decide if you need to call a doctor or emergency medical services.

Video: Pain

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Step-by-Step Instructions

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