Study of Old Age Care

Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory

Lim, Anton Steve P. BSN IV-D

Mrs. Carmela S. Malaza R.N USPF-CI

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Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory Personal Background  Born as Katharine Arnold on December 8th 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio  Married with two children and eight grandchildren  Founder of a local parish nurse program  Member of the American Nurse's Association  Currently an associate professor of nursing at the University of Akron College of Nursing  Published Comfort Theory and Practice: a Vision for Holistic Health Care and Research  Diploma in nursing from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in 1965  Graduated from the first RN to MSN class at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University in 1987  Graduated with PhD in nursing and received certificate of authority clinical nursing specialist in 1997  Specialized in Gerontology, End of Life and Long Term Care Interventions, Comfort Studies, Instrument Development, Nursing Theory, Nursing Research  1991-92: Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in Interdisciplinary Health, CWRU Internal Grant  1997: Marie Haug Student Award for excellence in aging studies  1997: Honour a Researcher Award  2003: Mary Hanna Memorial Journalism Award in recognition for the article Care of the Perianesthesia Nursing  2003: Advancement of Science Award from Midwest Nursing Research Society, End of Life and Palliative

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Comfort Theory and Care Comfort Care is a nursing art that entails the process of comforting actions performed by a nurse for a patient. According to comfort theory, patients experience comfort needs in stressful health care situations. Patients and their families/support groups meet some needs but other needs remain unmet. These needs can be identified by a nurse who then implements comfort measures to meet the needs. Enhanced comfort readies the patient for subsequent healthy behaviors or a peaceful death. Comfort measures can provide relief, help ease a distress or help support the patient...