The British Pain Society has worked with the British Geriatrics Society and the Royal College of Physicians to produce new concise guidance on 'The assessment of pain in older people'. The guidelines have been developed to provide: recommendations in simple and clear terms for assessing pain in all older people; several types of scales that can be photocopied and used to assist in assessments, to monitor progress and evaluate the effect of treatment; and an algorithm for simple implementation of the guidance.