What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.

Palliative care for adults:

is applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and includes those investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications
will enhance quality of life, and may also positively influence the course of an illness
integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care
offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death
provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
affirms life and regards dying as a normal process
intends neither to hasten or postpone death
offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient's illness and in their own bereavement
uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counselling, if indicated;

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) definition of palliative care 2002