What is the term for care that focuses on improving quality of life instead of prolonging life or curing illness?

The term that describes care focused on improving the quality of life rather than prolonging life or curing an illness is palliative care. This approach aims to relieve symptoms and provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients facing serious, life-limiting illnesses. Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments, highlighting its focus on comfort and quality rather than solely on extending life.

Hospice care, while related, is specifically designed for patients nearing the end of life, typically when curative treatment is no longer pursued. End-of-life care encompasses services provided during a person's final days and may include hospice care but does not capture the broader scope of palliative care, which can be involved earlier in the disease process. Compassionate care refers more generally to the empathy and concern shown by healthcare providers but does not specifically define the structured care model aimed at enhancing quality of life. Thus, palliative care distinctly aligns with the focus on quality of life improvements.