Warning Signs to Watch For

For Family Members and Caregivers

Sometimes people tolerate pain without mentioning it. If you notice any of the following changes, encourage them to see a doctor.

• A change in the way they walk (limping, taking shorter steps)
• More frequent bathroom trips or accidents
• Waking up repeatedly at night due to pain
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Difficulty with activities they used to do easily (putting on socks, standing up from a chair)
• A sudden increase in the curvature of the back

Don't assume that pain is "just part of getting older." A medical evaluation can often identify treatable causes — and early action can make a real difference in quality of life.