Thorne Crest Retirement Community is involved in a special pain relief initiative with 20 other nursing homes in Minnesota. This initiative is working to reduce pain among the elderly who are residents in skilled nursing facilities. The commitment of the group and the community is to help residents manage all aspects of pain which include physical, psychological and spiritual pain.

Residents, staff, family members and care givers are taught what type and the degree of pain though a rating system of 1-10. Families and caregivers will learn how to use non medication and medication techniques that can be used for the relief of all types of pain from acute to chronic pain.

The funding for the special pain relief initiative from CareChoice is through a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health. If anyone would like more information on this program, contact Thorne Crest Retirement Community 377-2311 and ask for Deb or Susan.