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