Also see Pain
Management
The goal of palliative care is to
achieve the best possible quality of life for patients and their
families when the patients disease is not responsive to curative
treatment.
The goals include control of pain and
of other symptoms, and to find solutions to psychological, social and
spiritual problems.
Palliative care might also apply to patients and
families earlier in the course of the illness.
Palliative care affirms
life and the process of dying. It neither hastens nor postpones
death. It provides relief from pain, and integrates psychological and
spiritual aspects of care. It provides for living as active and full a
life as possible.
Finally, it offers support to the family during the
illness and in bereavement. Typically, hospice
care facilities specialize in palliative care.
Recommended reading: