To the Editor: The recent article by McLean and Higginbotham1 and the accompanying editorial by Melding2 highlight the problems faced by elderly people in aged-care facilities. It is likely that many elderly people living alone in the community are suffering equal, if not worse, pain.

At a recent strategic planning meeting, the Australian Pain Society identified this group of people as a high priority for the development of pain management treatment strategies. These strategies are now well into the development process.

While it is appropriate for the Journal to focus on medical practitioners' care of these patients, it must be remembered that most direct care for people in aged-care facilities is delivered by nurses and nurse assistants/carers. The Australian Pain Society will be focusing its strategies on non-drug techniques that can be used by this group of healthcare workers. Assessment and documentation of pain-related behaviour, particularly in people with cognitive impairment, is critical if progress is to be made. It is also important to appreciate the contribution in this area from other allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, psychologists and occupational therapists. These practitioners have much to offer this patient group and have been important contributors to the Australian Pain Society's management strategies.

It is hoped that State and federal funding can be made available for nurse educators to deliver these low-tech, non-drug management strategies within aged-care facilities.

The two articles quite rightly focus on the regular use of simple oral analgesics, such as paracetamol, and low-dose opioids. Oral analgesics, together with more widespread use of non-drug treatments (eg, exercise, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot and cold topical applications, relaxation, distraction, mental stimulation, lifestyle modification) and increased awareness among aged-care workers of the problems and solutions, should lead to an enhanced quality of life for this growing sector of our community.