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    Kolcaba Theory of Comfort

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    Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort focuses on providing holistic comfort care to dying patients through relief of symptoms, a sense of ease, and transcendence. The theory addresses physical, psychospiritual, environmental, and social contexts of comfort. Using this theory, healthcare providers seek to ensure patients' needs are met so they can have a peaceful death, while families are encouraged to openly communicate and participate in end-of-life care.

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    Kolcaba Theory of Comfort

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    api-301442791
    666 views3 pages
    Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort focuses on providing holistic comfort care to dying patients through relief of symptoms, a sense of ease, and transcendence. The theory addresses physical, psychospiritual, environmental, and social contexts of comfort. Using this theory, healthcare providers seek to ensure patients' needs are met so they can have a peaceful death, while families are encouraged to openly communicate and participate in end-of-life care.

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    Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort focuses on providing holistic comfort care to dying patients through relief of symptoms, a sense of ease, and transcendence. The theory addresses physical, psychospiritual, environmental, and social contexts of comfort. Using this theory, healthcare providers seek to ensure patients' needs are met so they can have a peaceful death, while families are encouraged to openly communicate and participate in end-of-life care.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    666 views3 pages

    Kolcaba Theory of Comfort

    Uploaded by

    api-301442791
    Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort focuses on providing holistic comfort care to dying patients through relief of symptoms, a sense of ease, and transcendence. The theory addresses physical, psychospiritual, environmental, and social contexts of comfort. Using this theory, healthcare providers seek to ensure patients' needs are met so they can have a peaceful death, while families are encouraged to openly communicate and participate in end-of-life care.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    References

    [Comfort Grid]
    Comfort Grid
    The comfort grid is a tool for nurses
    to identify patient and family
    needs. The grid encompasses all of
    the aspects of Kolcabas Theory of
    Comfort including the types of
    comfort and contexts of comfort.
    The nurse is able to design
    interventions for the patient and
    then assess the effectiveness.

    -Kolcaba, K. Y., & Fisher, E.


    M. (1996). A
    holistic perspective
    on comfort care as
    an advance
    directive. Critical
    care nursing
    quarterly, 18(4),
    6676.
    -Vendlinski, S., & Kolcaba,
    K. Y. (1997).
    Comfort care: a
    framework for
    hospice nursing.
    The American
    journal of hospice
    & palliative care,
    14(6), 271276.
    doi:
    10.1177/10499091
    9701400602

    KOLCAB
    AS
    THEORY
    OF
    COMFOR
    T

    Summary

    Kolcabas Theory of Comfort is an


    important tool used during the
    dying process. It is important for
    the patient to be as comfortable as
    possible during the end of life.
    Ideally, the patient and the family
    should be fully included in the
    decision-making process. The
    holistic comfort care approach
    enables the patient to have a
    peaceful and meaningful death.

    NURS 451
    Ferris State University

    By: Lauren Kasperlik

    Context in which Comfort


    Occurs

    Knowledge

    Kolcabas Theory of Comfort


    involves providing holistic comfort
    care to a dying patient. The word
    comfort is derived from the Latin
    word comfortare meaning to
    strengthen greatly. Nursing care
    is focused on the dying needs of
    the patient in order to enhance the
    overall quality at the end of life.
    The 3 types of comfort related to
    Kolcabas theory include:

    Relief: Ensuring specific needs


    of the patient are met. This
    may include relief from pain,
    shortness of breath, or other
    symptoms the patient
    experiences near the end of
    life. The nurse thoroughly
    assesses the patient often in
    order to ensure relief is
    maintained. For example, the
    nurse may provide around the
    clock pain medications for the
    patient.
    Ease: Ensuring the patient is
    in a calm state. This may
    involve providing items for the
    patient that provides comfort
    and content. For example, if
    the patient enjoys music, family
    may put on soft music in the

    Physical: Focus on bodily


    sensations such as pain or
    shortness of breath
    Psychospiritual: Focuses on the
    internal awareness of self such
    as esteem of meaning of ones
    life
    Environmental: Focuses on the
    external background such as
    lighting, sounds or smells
    Social: Focuses on
    interpersonal, family or societal
    relationships such as family
    visiting

    Attitude

    The process of dying is very difficult


    for the patient and surrounding
    family members. Using the
    Kolcabas Theory of Comfort, it is
    the goal for the patient to die
    peacefully and comfortably. It is
    important for the members of the
    health care team to meet the
    specific needs of the dying patient
    and create an active partnership
    throughout the process. The health
    care team will focus on relief, ease
    and transcendence of symptoms of
    the patient. The patient, as well as
    the family members, must openly
    communicate with the health care
    team to ensure the needs are
    discussed. Everyone must remain
    honest, and fears should be
    discussed. When patient needs are
    met, there is a sense of ease for
    the patient and family members.

    Skills

    As the patient nears the end of life,


    it is important the patient and
    family members actively participate
    with the health care team toward
    the end goal in mind. Becoming
    familiar with Kolcabas Theory of
    Comfort can greatly impact the
    patient and overall strengthen the
    quality of life near death.

    How family members can


    be involved:

    Discuss with patient specific


    wishes and ensure the
    health care team is aware
    Ask questions and research
    Encourage multiple
    meetings with the health
    care team to discuss the
    plan
    Bring familiar objects for the
    patient to bring a sense of
    ease
    Communicate to the nursing
    staff when changes are

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