What do individuals in all health care environments desire: to live comfortably without pain.  This is of particular concern to aging adults who suffer from conditions with chronic care more than any other population.  A recent study in the journal of Pain Medicine examined the nature of patient-directed care and the patient-provider relationship for aging adults seeking treatment for chronic pain.  Conducted by Dr. Carrie Teh and her cohorts, the study examined the experiences and desires of fifteen older adults in the Pittsburgh area.  Researchers found that while some patients wanted to be told what to do by their physicians, others wanted to actively participate in efforts to manage their pain.  These participation efforts included refusing specific undesirable treatments and demanding quality care.  Regardless of the degree of control patients wanted in their pain decisions, all patients described the importance of being both “heard” and “understood” by their health care providers. 
There are two crucial implications of this study.  First, patient-centered care is becoming the norm.  Second, aging adults, regardless of the role they want to play in health care decision-making, want to feel connected and heard in the health care process.  What the study also indicated was that, some patients may not be entirely ready for this but still want quality care.  Nonetheless, the ability to be involved represents an important opportunity for elders and their families. 
Elders and their families have the ability to be the first generation to actively participate in the health care process.  This will pave the way for other generations to become partners rather than their observers in their health care.  The Rosenkranz law firm is dedicated to provide resources wherein families can get help and manage the care process.  Building a supportive care environment that does not financially exhaust the families resources may be a result that could be obtained.  What are your families goals and preferences.  Contact Jack Rosenkranz for more information on this topic. to assist individuals, to determine for themselves, elder goals and preferences.  For more information, please contact Informed Elder Institute, Inc. at 813-223-04195