New national guidelines to better manage high level aged care residents living with pain have been launched in Melbourne by the Federal Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop. 

Titled 'Pain in Residential Aged Care Facilities - Management Strategies', the guidelines describe different types of pain and the symptoms to assist staff to more rapidly identify residents experiencing pain.

"As many residents have impaired cognition, research indicates that around 40 per cent in high level residential care are unable to even report pain," Ms Bishop said.

"The guidelines focus on the psychological and physical consequences such as sleeplessness, depression, anxiety, difficulty walking, decreased socialisation and the distress for family members."

Ms Bishop said the guidelines offer a multidisciplinary approach to pain management and also physical therapy options for dealing with pain and complementary and alternative therapies including massage that can used for pain relief.

There are more than 150,000 older people in Australia's 3,000 residential aged care facilities. Research shows that unrecognised and untreated pain - especially that unrelated to cancer - is widespread amongst aged care residents.

"With appropriate pain management techniques and assessment tools, the quality of life of older Australians can be improved significantly," she said.

The guidelines were developed by the Australian Pain Society and refined following pilot studies among 82 residents at the Royal Freemasons' Homes of Victoria.