Palliative care and pain management

Palliative care has largely evolved to address the significant suffering and deficiencies in care documented among persons living with advanced chronic illness, both those approaching the end of life and those earlier in their course. Clinicians caring for older adults need to recognize the critical role of geriatric palliative care in serving this population and develop expertise. This article examines five key domains of palliative care: communication, symptom management, coordination of care, psychosocial and spiritual realms, and grief and bereavement support. Specific attention is given to pain management and the approach to treating dyspnea, constipation, and nausea and vomiting, all common symptoms experienced by elders with potentially life-limiting illness. A patient case is discussed to illustrate the integral role palliative care often plays as a part of appropriate, routine medical care.