What type of care focuses on keeping patients comfortable without curing their disease?

The type of care that focuses on keeping patients comfortable without attempting to cure their disease is known as palliative care. This approach is designed to improve the quality of life for patients who are facing serious, often life-limiting illnesses. Palliative care addresses not just physical symptoms, but also provides emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to both patients and their families.

Unlike preventative care, which aims to prevent diseases before they occur, or curative care that actively seeks to eliminate or treat the underlying condition, palliative care prioritizes comfort and the overall well-being of the patient. It can be provided alongside curative treatments but is particularly valuable when the healing process is no longer possible or the focus shifts towards quality of life.

Rehabilitative care, on the other hand, is centered on helping patients recover their physical, mental, and social abilities after illness or injury, which may not align with the goals of palliative care.

This distinction highlights why palliative care serves as an essential component of healthcare for patients in need of comfort and support during their illness.