I care for extremely ill patients in the hospital who require mechanical ventilation to support their lungs, dialysis to replace failed kidneys, who are nutritionally very depleted, swollen with fluid, etc. If you have a loved one who is chronically ill, in and out of nursing homes and hospitals, please be made aware about palliative care, which is compassionate care addressed at the person’s quality of life and comfort. Ample evidence indicates that palliative care improves quality of life and health outcomes.
Reference: N Engl J Med 2010;363:733-42.