What Is Palliative Care?

Palliative care clinician holding hands with an elderly patient while discussing care focused on quality of life

Understanding Its Meaning, Misconceptions, and Why It Matters Defining Palliative Care “Palliative care” comes from the Latin word palliare, meaning “to cloak” or “to cover.” Palliative Medicine refers to specialized care that focuses on relieving suffering and improving quality of life for people facing serious illnesses—such as cancer, heart failure, COPD, kidney disease, dementia, or […]