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Simple English definitions for legal terms
comfort care
Read a random definition: Claims Court, U.S.
A quick definition of comfort care:
Comfort care is a type of medical care that helps people who are very sick or dying feel as comfortable as possible. It doesn't try to cure the illness, but instead focuses on making the person feel better by reducing pain and providing emotional support. A team of different professionals, called a palliative care team, works together to provide this kind of care. They help the person with medical needs, emotional needs, and practical needs, like making sure they have enough food and a comfortable place to rest.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Comfort care, also known as palliative care, is a type of medical care that focuses on reducing a patient's pain and keeping them comfortable. This type of care is not intended to cure the patient's illness, but rather to improve their quality of life, especially towards the end of their life. Palliative care can be given alongside treatment intended to cure the patient's serious illness(es). A team of different professionals, known as a palliative care team, provides medical, social, emotional, and practical support to the patient.
- A patient with advanced cancer may receive comfort care to manage their pain and other symptoms, such as nausea or fatigue.
- A patient with a terminal illness may receive comfort care to help them feel more comfortable and at ease during their final days.
- A patient with a chronic illness, such as heart failure or COPD, may receive comfort care to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
These examples illustrate how comfort care is focused on improving the patient's quality of life and managing their symptoms, rather than curing their illness. The goal is to help the patient feel more comfortable and at ease, especially towards the end of their life.