Glossary > Healthcare > Geriatric Care > Palliative Care

Comfort Care

Comfort care, also known as palliative care, focuses on providing relief from the symptoms of a disease rather than trying to cure the underlying condition. It aims to improve the quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses or conditions by addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Example #1

An elderly patient with advanced cancer receiving comfort care to manage pain and discomfort.

Example #2

A dementia patient receiving palliative care to improve their quality of life and alleviate distressing symptoms.

Misuse

Misuse of comfort care may occur if healthcare providers do not fully disclose the range of treatment options available to patients, leading to a lack of informed decision-making. It's important to protect against this misuse to ensure patients have the knowledge and agency to make choices that align with their preferences and values.

Benefits

Comfort care offers several benefits, including improved symptom management, enhanced quality of life, support for emotional and spiritual needs, and involvement of patients and their families in care decisions. By focusing on holistic well-being, comfort care can provide relief, comfort, and dignity to patients.

Conclusion

Understanding the role of comfort care in healthcare is crucial for both patients and caregivers, as it empowers individuals to make informed choices about their care while prioritizing comfort and quality of life. By promoting transparency and consumer empowerment in the delivery of comfort care, CAP advocates for a healthcare system that respects individual preferences and values.